- Devotion meets service: Adani couple seek Gurudevshri Rakeshji’s blessings during Navratri at the South Gujarat ashram
- From inner growth to social good: Satsang explores the purpose of human life, spiritual discipline and responsibility towards society
- Women and children at the heart of seva: Visit highlights tribal women’s skill development and medical-aid support for children with disabilities
- Philanthropy with purpose: Adani Foundation and Shrimad Rajchandra Love and Care explore potential collaboration in vision care
NE SPIRITUAL BUREAU
DHARAMPUR (VALSAD), OCTOBER 18
When devotion finds expression in selfless service, spirituality moves beyond the prayer hall to touch lives and transform communities. This Navratri, Gautam Adani, Chairman of the Adani Group, and Dr Priti Adani, Chairperson of the Adani Foundation, visited Shrimad Rajchandra Ashram in Dharampur, South Gujarat, seeking the blessings of Pujya Gurudevshri Rakeshji and exploring the common ground between spiritual values, humanitarian service and community welfare.
The visit brought together the ideals of saadhana (spiritual practice) and seva (selfless service), with engagements spanning spiritual discourse, youth development, support for tribal women and healthcare initiatives for underserved communities.
Sharing his experience on X, Gautam Adani wrote: “Priti and I spent warm moments with Pujya Gurudevshri Rakeshji at Shrimad Rajchandra Ashram, Dharampur, and received His blessings. Performing charan pakshal at the world’s tallest idol of Shrimad Rajchandraji was deeply moving.”
The reflection captured the devotional significance of the visit, which unfolded during Navratri, a festival celebrating the divine feminine and the triumph of good over evil.
When saadhana inspires seva
During their meeting, Pujya Gurudevshri Rakeshji emphasised the close relationship between inner spiritual discipline and service to humanity. He spoke about the importance of using one’s life, resources and opportunities for the larger good—a philosophy that places compassion and responsibility at the heart of spiritual growth.
The couple attended a satsang at Raj Sabhagruha, the Mission’s meditation and spiritual discourse complex. The discourse explored the purpose of human life and the importance of spiritual practice in cultivating wisdom, awareness and a deeper sense of responsibility towards others.
Gautam Adani also interacted with young members of the Mission, including students and professionals from diverse academic backgrounds who contribute to its social initiatives. The interaction highlighted the potential of youth engagement in translating spiritual values into meaningful community action.
Empowering women, strengthening livelihoods
A significant part of Dr Priti Adani’s visit was her interaction with tribal women at the Shrimad Rajchandra Sarvamangal Centre of Excellence for Women. The centre supports women through skill development, livelihood generation and entrepreneurship programmes, helping them build capabilities and pursue greater economic independence.
The visit brought attention to the role of skills, access to opportunities and sustained institutional support in enabling women from underserved communities to strengthen their livelihoods and participate more fully in economic life.
Dr Priti Adani also visited the Shrimad Rajchandra Hospital and Research Centre and participated in the distribution of medical aids to children with disabilities. At the Mission’s Jinmandir, she offered prayers to Bhagwan Mahavir, the 24th Jain Tirthankara, whose teachings emphasise non-violence, self-discipline and compassion for all living beings.
Exploring a wider canvas of humanitarian collaboration
The visit also opened up possibilities for collaboration between the Adani Foundation and Shrimad Rajchandra Love and Care (SRLC), the Mission’s humanitarian arm. Gautam Adani expressed interest in exploring collaborative initiatives, while Dr Priti Adani discussed the potential for cooperation in vision care, an area aligned with the Adani Foundation’s work.
Any such collaboration could bring together complementary experience and resources in addressing community needs. The discussions underscored the scope for partnerships between philanthropic institutions to extend access to essential services and improve the quality of life of underserved populations.
A spiritual legacy rooted in transformation
Spread across 355 acres, Shrimad Rajchandra Ashram serves as the international headquarters of Shrimad Rajchandra Mission Dharampur (SRMD). Founded in 1994 by Pujya Gurudevshri Rakeshji, the Mission draws inspiration from Shrimad Rajchandraji, the Jain spiritual master revered as Mahatma Gandhi’s spiritual mentor.
With more than 142 centres across six continents, SRMD promotes inner transformation through wisdom, meditation and selfless service.
Through its work in healthcare, education, humanitarian assistance, animal care and environmental welfare, SRLC seeks to translate these principles into practical action. The organisation says its initiatives have touched millions of lives globally.
Gautam Adani has also undertaken visits to prominent religious destinations in recent months, including Ayodhya, Kalighat in Kolkata and the Jain shrine at Taranga Hills in North Gujarat. On May 1, he visited Kedarnath with Dr Priti Adani to mark their 40th wedding anniversary.
At Dharampur, the meeting of spiritual reflection and social engagement offered a reminder that the deeper meaning of devotion can extend well beyond ritual. When faith inspires compassion, and compassion finds expression in service, spirituality can become a force for human dignity and collective well-being.