🌐 The Global Journey of Arya Samaj

1. Origins in India 🇮🇳 (1800s–Early 1900s)

📅 1875
🟪 Founding of Arya Samaj
Swami Dayanand Saraswati establishes Arya Samaj in Bombay, championing Vedic truth, anti-caste equality, and rational spiritual living.

📅 1883
🟪 Legacy Continues
After Dayanand’s passing, disciples expand the movement across North India, promoting gurukuls, women's education, and reform.

See below 8. for further growth in 20th century

2. Africa 🌍 (1903–Present)

🇰🇪 Kenya – 1903–1922

• Arya Samaj Nairobi and Mombasa founded
• Women’s wings, libraries, and the Arya Pratinidhi Sabha East Africa formed

🇿🇦 South Africa – 1905–Present

• Bhai Parmanand launches Arya Samaj
• Arya Benevolent Home, schools, and civil rights activism thrive through apartheid and beyond

3. Caribbean & South America 🌴 (1900s–Present)

🇬🇾 Guyana, 🇹🇹 Trinidad, 🇸🇷 Suriname

• Brought by indentured labourers
• Arya Pratinidhi Sabhas registered by 1940s
• Schools, temples, and cultural preservation programs launched

4. United Kingdom 🇬🇧 (1950s–Present)

🏙️ London – 1976

• Arya Samaj (Vedic Mission) London established
• Offers weekly havan, language classes, and spiritual education at Argyle Road centre

🏙️ Birmingham – 1970–1997

• First Diwali in 1974
• Permanent home acquired in 1997 at Rookery Road
• Active in interfaith dialogue, festivals, and Arya youth activities

5. Canada 🇨🇦 (1974–Present)

📍 Toronto / Markham

• Arya Samaj Toronto founded by Kenyan-Indian immigrants
• Vedic Cultural Centre opens in 1996
• Youth camps, Sanskrit classes, community support programs

📍 British Columbia (Surrey)

• Active Arya community with monthly satsangs and cultural outreach

6. United States 🇺🇸 (1970s–Present)

📌 New York – 1984

• Arya Spiritual Center supports Indo-Caribbean youth with cultural programs and parades

📌 Houston – 1991–Present

• Major hub with DAV Montessori and Sanskriti Schools
• Hosts global yajnas, Maha Sammelans, and relief work
• Digital education, podcasting, and model eco-temple projects

📌 Other states

• Active Sabhas in Michigan, Florida, and California

7. Other parts of the world

• Arya Samaj is active in many other countries such as Mauritius, Fiji, Netherlands

8. Growth in India

• 🏫 Expansion and Institutions (Late 1800s – Early 1900s)
  
• The movement spread rapidly across Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Delhi.
  
• Established Dayanand Anglo Vedic (DAV) Schools and Colleges blending Vedic values with modern English education (e.g. DAV Lahore, 1886).
• Promoted Gurukul education (e.g. Gurukul Kangri in Haridwar, 1902) rooted in Sanskrit and Vedic living.

📈 20th Century to Present

• Grew into a pan-India organisation with over 4,000 Arya Samaj centres, temples, schools, and trusts.
• Major hubs include Delhi, Haridwar, Mumbai, Ludhiana, Jodhpur, Ahmedabad, and Kanpur.