Swami Avdheshanand Giri is Acharya Mahamandaleshwar of the Juna Akhara. He is a guru to thousands and an inspiration to millions. He has initiated more than a hundred thousand sannyasis and transformed innumerable lives with his social activities. Swamiji has faith and respect for all religions. He has a firm belief that all the religions of the world convey the same message of love, peace and brotherhood. However, the ways and means for achieving God may be different due to diverse climatic, cultural, ethnic, regional factors and compulsions; but the ultimate goal is that of God-realisation. He heads the Prabhu Prem Ashram in Haryana and the Samanvaya Seva Trust in Haridwar. Having written extensively on various aspects of Indian spiritual philosophy, he was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Literature (D. Litt.) by Vikram University in India in 2008.