A clear, updated guide to the diksha process under Shri Premanand Ji Maharaj — new residence, changed timelines, mandatory books, and what devotees should know.
For devotees hoping to receive diksha (spiritual initiation) from the revered Gurudev Shri Premanand Ji Maharaj, quite a lot has changed recently — from where Maharaj Ji now resides, to how the initiation timeline itself works. Because so much of this information travels informally between devotees, we wanted to put together a clear, organized summary of what’s currently known, along with the books required for initiation.
A Change in Residence
As most devotees are aware, Maharaj Ji previously resided at the Radha Keli Kunj Trust in Vrindavan. He has since relocated to a newly built ashram at Belvan, Jahangirpur (Pani Gaon Road, Belvan, Vrindavan, Jahangirpur Banger, Uttar Pradesh).
Maharaj Ji no longer visits Vrindavan on a regular basis. His visits to Vrindavan are now primarily to meet his own Gurudev, the revered Shri Gorangi Sharan Ji Maharaj.
No Fixed Darshan Day Anymore
Earlier, there was a fixed weekly day — Thursday — when devotees could reliably have darshan of Maharaj Ji. This is no longer the case, and the day is not fixed. This has created genuine difficulty for devotees traveling from outside Vrindavan, whether they are hoping for diksha, naam-diksha, or simply darshan. Since the ashram does not publicly announce in advance when initiation will take place — or confirm that it will happen on a specific date at all — devotees are advised to stay updated through official channels rather than assume a fixed schedule.
How the Diksha Timeline Has Changed
The process for receiving diksha has also changed significantly:
- Previously: Devotees would visit once every two months, with diksha typically taking place after the fourth such visit.
- Now: Visits take place once every three months, and diksha typically takes place only after a full year of this process.
- For devotees living abroad: Since international devotees cannot realistically make repeated visits, the process is adjusted so that initiation can be completed over just two visits.
- Frequency of diksha ceremonies: Diksha was previously conducted daily. Considering Maharaj Ji’s health, this has now been reduced to once a week, on Wednesdays. Devotees should note that this schedule could change again without much advance notice.
What Is Required for Diksha
A Tulsi Japa Mala and Kanthi are mandatory for initiation.
In addition, devotees are required to obtain the following five books before diksha, regardless of which publisher’s edition is used:
- Shri Hit Chaurasi Ji
- Shri Hit Radha Sudha Nidhi Ji
- Shri Hit Sevak Vani Ji
- Ashtayam Seva Paddhati
- Nitya Rasopasana
Of these, Shri Hit Chaurasi Ji holds particular importance — devotees are expected to memorize it, and initiation does not take place without this. Many devotees ask whether reading these texts on a mobile phone is sufficient. It’s worth being clear on this point: reading on a screen rarely allows one to absorb the true depth and spirit of these texts the way a physical book does. These are meant to be lifelong companions in one’s devotional practice, not something to be skimmed digitally.
You can find all five books — along with a combined initiation set that includes the full collection in one bundle — through Keli Kunj:
- Shri Hit Chaurasi Ji
- Shri Radha Sudha Nidhi Stotram
- Shri Hit Sevak Vani (with Chaurasi Ji & Radha Sudha Nidhi)
- Ashtayam Seva Paddhati
- Complete Diksha Set — Chaurasi Ji, Radha Sudha Nidhi, Sevak Vani, Rasopasana, Ashtayam Seva & Book Bag
Final Diksha Day — What to Expect
It is mandatory to bring your spouse or a parent with you for the final diksha ceremony. On the day your final diksha takes place, you will need to report to Radha Keli Kunj in Vrindavan. From there, devotees are taken by bus at 3:00 AM to Belvan (Jahangirpur, Pani Gaon Road), where Maharaj Ji personally conducts the completion of the diksha.
A Note on Guru Loyalty
One point worth reflecting on: some individuals seek to be accepted by Maharaj Ji for diksha despite already having a guru, sometimes using their personal influence to try and make this happen. This goes against the very spirit of guru-shishya tradition. Some devotees cite Maharaj Ji’s own statement about the importance of having a living, physically present guru as justification for leaving their existing guru in search of a new one. But this reasoning raises an obvious question — if Maharaj Ji himself were no longer physically present one day, would the same logic then send devotees searching for yet another guru?
Maharaj Ji himself has clarified that a guru is not merely a physical body, but the embodiment of a spiritual principle and teaching. When devotees chase after the physical form alone, they risk missing this deeper truth — and, in doing so, disrespect the very essence of what their original guru represents.
Stay Updated
Because official confirmations from the ashram can come with little notice, staying connected to a reliable update source matters. Join the WhatsApp channel for the latest diksha-related updates as they’re announced.
Radhe Radhe.
Frequently Asked Questions
Maharaj Ji now resides at a newly built ashram in Belvan, Jahangirpur (Pani Gaon Road, Belvan, Vrindavan, Jahangirpur Banger, Uttar Pradesh), and no longer stays regularly at Radha Keli Kunj Trust in Vrindavan.
No. Previously darshan was available on a fixed day (Thursday), but this is no longer fixed, making it harder for out-of-town devotees to plan visits.
Devotees now visit once every three months, with diksha typically taking place after roughly a year of visits. This differs from the earlier process of bi-monthly visits over four visits.
Yes. Since foreign devotees cannot make repeated visits easily, their initiation process is adjusted to be completed over just two visits.
Five books are required: Shri Hit Chaurasi Ji, Shri Hit Radha Sudha Nidhi Ji, Shri Hit Sevak Vani Ji, Ashtayam Seva Paddhati, and Nitya Rasopasana. All five, along with a combined initiation set, are available through Keli Kunj’s book collection.
No — seeking new initiation while already having a guru, particularly through personal influence, goes against the spirit of the guru-shishya tradition and is not something Maharaj Ji’s teachings support.
