2025 - Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati | Commemorative Coin

A commemorative coin of ₹200 will be issued to mark the 150th Birth Anniversary of Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati. The Ministry of Finance has issued the gazette notification on October 30, 2025.

Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati was one of the most influential reformers of 19th-century India, whose life and teachings ignited a movement for social and spiritual awakening across the nation. Born on February 12, 1824, in Tankara, Gujarat, as Mool Shankar, he displayed from a young age a deep curiosity for truth and a questioning mind that refused to accept blind traditions. His search for true knowledge led him to renounce worldly life and embark on a path of spiritual pursuit, earning the name Dayanand Saraswati after becoming a sanyasi.

A firm believer in the supremacy of the Vedas, Dayanand Saraswati propagated the idea that the ancient scriptures of India contained the ultimate truth and moral guidance for humanity. Through his philosophy of “Back to the Vedas,” he urged people to discard superstitions, idol worship, and meaningless rituals that had clouded India’s spiritual essence over centuries. His mission was not merely religious but deeply social and educational. He championed women’s education, the upliftment of the oppressed, and equality for all, regardless of caste or gender.

In 1875, he founded the Arya Samaj, a reformist organization aimed at reviving the true spirit of Vedic knowledge and promoting ethical living. The Arya Samaj became a powerful force for social change, promoting education through the establishment of schools and colleges, and encouraging self-reliance among Indians. Maharshi Dayanand was also a strong advocate of Swaraj, or self-rule, long before the term became central to India’s freedom movement. His ideas inspired later leaders such as Swami Shraddhanand, Lala Lajpat Rai, and even Mahatma Gandhi, who acknowledged his contribution to India’s awakening.

Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati’s teachings combined spiritual purity with rational thought, making him a pioneer of modern Indian consciousness. His book Satyarth Prakash (The Light of Truth) remains a seminal work that continues to guide seekers of truth and reformers alike. He passed away on October 30, 1883, but his legacy endures through the ideals of the Arya Samaj and the values of truth, education, and reform that he tirelessly promoted. His life stands as a shining example of courage, conviction, and commitment to truth, leaving an indelible mark on India’s journey toward social reform and national awakening.