The Parent Institution

Manidweep

A center of devotion, faith, and divine consciousness — and the spiritual root from which four charitable trusts, and this educational mission, draw their values.

"Manidweep" is not just a building but a center of devotion, faith, penance, divine love, consciousness, and high moral values — where Divine Mother "Jagatjanani Maa Tripurasundari" herself resides. It is a place brimming with sentient, conscious particles: just sitting silently here fills one's heart with positive thoughts, joy, peace, and bliss. Coming here regularly awakens human sensitivity, compassion, restraint, and love — giving rise to the feeling of "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam" (the world is one family).

How is all of this possible? It is possible because of the unwavering, intense love and devotion of Shri Nandkishore ji Sharda — lovingly addressed by all as "Bhaiya" or "Bhaiyaji" — and the japa, tapa, and deep sadhna of Kumari Basanti ji Manihar, whom everyone lovingly calls "Maa." Under their guidance, this ground of penance remains awakened, saturated with the boundless grace and affection of Jagatjanani Maa Tripurasundari.

On regularly coming here, one is filled with a feeling of compassion, sympathy, and love — arousing the feeling of universal brotherhood, or "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam."

Swami Vivekanand Students' Welfare Charitable Trust — the organisation behind this website — was founded under the guidance drawn from Manidweep, but operates as an independently registered public charitable trust in its own right. Every donation made to this Trust goes 100% toward girls' education and scholarships — never toward religious activity. This page introduces the wider family of trusts that share Manidweep's roots, so you can see the full scope of the mission it inspires.

A Journey of Sadhna & Service

Three lives whose spiritual practice at Manidweep became the root of every trust described on this page.

Shri Nandkishore ji Sharda was born on 16 July 1944 into a prosperous, cultured family in Jodhpur. At just fifteen, standing before his father's funeral pyre, a profound detachment arose within him — and in that moment he resolved to know the power that animates the human body. To fulfil that resolve, Bhaiyaji began intense sadhna of Jagatjanani Maa Tripurasundari; through unwavering devotion, penance, and surrender, he received her divine grace and darshan.

Moved by Bhaiyaji's knowledge, sadhna, and divine presence, Kumari Basanti ji Manihar (M.A., B.Ed.) began her own sadhna of Maa Tripurasundari under his guidance from 1964, and — through continuous japa, tapa, and practice — she too received the divine darshan of Jagatjanani Maa. In 1970, Kumari Madhubala ji Advani (M.A., B.Ed.) came into contact with Maa Basanti ji and, moved by her pure, childlike devotion, became deeply devoted to her in turn.

In 1996, by the command of Jagatjanani Maa, they began "Karma Sadhna" — spiritual practice expressed through action — alongside their personal sadhna. This is the seed from which every trust described below has grown.

Shri Nandkishore Sharda

Shri Nandkishore Sharda

Founder & First President

1944 – 2003

The original seeker whose sadhna of Maa Tripurasundari, begun after a life-changing loss at fifteen, awakened Manidweep itself.

View Full Biography
Kumari Basanti Manihar

Kumari Basanti Manihar

Founder & Former President

1964 – 2021

Began her sadhna under Bhaiyaji's guidance in 1964 and, after 2003, carried his mission forward — founding two of the four trusts described below.

View Full Biography
Kumari Madhubala Advani

Kumari Madhubala Advani

President

1970 – Present

In contact with Maa Basanti and Bhaiyaji since 1970; today leads every trust rooted in Manidweep with dedication, faith, and efficiency.

View Full Biography

Four Trusts, One Mission

Every trust rooted in Manidweep shares the same conviction: that education, dignity, and self-reliance are a girl's — and a struggling family's — rightful due, not charity.

Est. 1996

Swami Vivekanand Students' Welfare Charitable Trust

The trust behind this website. Established on 10 June 1996 by Kumari Basanti ji Manihar, with Bhaiyaji as President, to provide financial support to needy girl students who would otherwise be denied an education for lack of money — so they can stay in school and become self-reliant.

Today it supports needy girl students across 34 schools in Jodhpur district and 7 in Balotra district.

+ distributed to + girls
Learn More About This Trust →
Est. 2001

Maa Sharadamani Trust

Bhaiyaji and Maa Basanti ji recognised that school-level education alone could not secure a girl's real, all-round development — she also needed the opportunity to pursue higher education, so she could build a self-reliant, respected place in society. Maa Sharadamani Trust was founded in 2001 to open that door.

Beyond financial help, it has become a medium for building self-confidence and self-respect in the girls it supports — many now hold PhDs and professional degrees in CA, Engineering, MBA, MCA, and B.Ed.

₹1.64 Crore+ distributed to 3,400+ students
Est. 2010

Gyanyogi Shri Nandkishore Sharda Adhyatma Kendra

Established by Kumari Basanti ji Manihar to strengthen the future of economically weak, needy students — not only in general education, but in professional and higher study paths such as Engineering, Medicine, Pharmacy, MBA, and CA — so financial hardship never stands between a student and her talent.

Alongside scholarships, this Kendra also runs the Trust's wider community-service work: food-grain distribution, free yoga classes, and self-employment support for women — covered in the next section.

₹57 Lakh+ distributed to 630+ students
Est. 2003

Shri Nandkishore Sharda Gyan Ganga Mission

Founded on 16 April 2003 by Maa Basanti ji and Madhu Maa, after Bhaiyaji attained his divine conscious form, with the sacred purpose of free literature publication — preserving and widely sharing his spiritual knowledge, writings, diaries, and teachings so future generations can draw on them for guidance.

This Mission also funds school infrastructure: the Kumari Basanti Manihar Commerce Block at the Women's College, classrooms at Mahalaxmi Girls' Senior Secondary School, a reception room, computer labs, water-huts, and furniture, school bags, sweaters, and shoes for students in need.

Publishing, and building, for the next generation

Beyond Education: Serving the Community

Education, self-reliance, and social upliftment — the three threads through which Manidweep's trusts continue to make their mission of human service meaningful.

Food Grain Distribution

During the hardship of the Covid-19 pandemic, Maa Basanti ji — moved by the suffering of needy families — resolved in October 2020 to distribute food grain regularly, not as mere assistance but as a true sadhna of humanity. Since her passing in May 2021, Madhu Maa has carried the work forward with the same devotion.

Since Oct 2020 · 300+ families in Jodhpur & Balotra

Free Yoga Classes

Free daily yoga classes began on 10 June 2022 at the Adhyatma Yogi Shri Nandkishore Sharda Sadhna Sthali, Kabootaron ka Chowk. Trained instructors guide participants each morning through subtle exercise, pranayama, asanas, and meditation — building physical health, mental peace, and a positive outlook for the general public.

Since June 2022 · Daily, 7:15–8:15 AM

Sewing & Self-Reliance Centre

Under the Women's Self-Reliance Scheme, the "Vatsalyamayi Maa Basanti Manihar Sewing Centre" was established by Madhu Maa in 2025 for women and young women from the most disadvantaged, economically weak sections of society — offering free, practical training in sewing and garment-making, alongside self-confidence, self-respect, and dignified livelihood.

Est. 2025 · Free skills training for women

The Principles That Guide Every Trust

Two commitments, held without exception, across all four trusts rooted in Manidweep.

Sarvajan Hitay, Sarvajan Sukhay

"For the welfare and happiness of all." No girl or boy student is denied education for lack of means. Scholarships are awarded according to genuine need and financial circumstance — never on the basis of marks obtained — and without any discrimination of caste, religion, or community.

Zero Administrative Overhead

Complete frugality is maintained in how every trust operates. All administrative expenses are voluntarily borne by the trustees themselves — so that donations made in good faith go entirely toward the students and families they are meant for.

Guidance for Students, and for Seekers

Bhaiyaji's Buddhi-Vivek Yog Sadhna — a practical discipline of intellect and discretion — reaches two audiences from Manidweep, every single Sunday.

Sunday Morning: Gyan Classes for Students

Education that is only physical and competitive — devoid of sanskar and moral values — can trouble society rather than strengthen it. Bhaiyaji and Maa Basanti ji recognised this early, and resolved to sow sanskar, spirituality, and human values into students' lives, so that seed could grow into well-rounded character.

Every Sunday, 10:30 AM–12:30 PM, students of all backgrounds gather at Manidweep for Gyan classes covering the real purpose of education and life, the importance of family and social harmony, and the balance of rights with duties — delivered through Bhaiyaji's Buddhi-Vivek Yog Sadhna Paddhati. Read more about these classes →

Girls listening to Bhaiyaji's encouraging speech at Manidweep
Every Sunday morning, at Manidweep
Sunday Evening: Discourses for the General Public

A separate gathering, open to all seekers, is held every Sunday evening. Through the same Buddhi-Vivek based sadhna and knowledge Bhaiyaji gave, consciousness and material life are brought into balance — a shift in outlook that Maa Basanti ji first laid the foundation for, now carried forward by Madhu Maa and the Manidweep Adhyatma Parivar.

Seekers are shown, simply and lovingly, how to live peacefully, happily, and without stress even while carrying the full weight of the material world — what the brochure describes as the sounding of a new era's conch.

Sunday evening discourse for seekers at Manidweep
Sunday evening discourses, open to all

Support This Mission

Anyone can contribute financially to this sacred work — or, according to their capacity, contribute body, mind, and time toward spreading Bhaiyaji and Maa Basanti ji's vision of women's empowerment through education, sanskar, and spirituality. Contributions to the Trust are eligible for tax exemption under Section 80G of the Income Tax Act.

Donate to Swami Vivekanand Trust → Ask About the Other Trusts

Donations made through this website's Donate page support Swami Vivekanand Students' Welfare Charitable Trust specifically. For enquiries about Manidweep's other trusts, or its broader mission, please reach out via Contact Us.

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