Founder of Vidyapith
Swami Hiranmayanandaji Maharaj was born as Vijayananda Roy at Malda in West Bengal in 1909. He was initiated by Swami Shivanandaji Maharaj, a direct disciple of Sri Ramakrishna, in 1929. He joined the order as a brahmachari at Belur Math in 1933 and had his sannyasa from Swami Virajanandaji in 1943. He came in touch with Swami Akhandanandaji, Subodhanandaji, Abhedanandaji and Vijnananandaji, all direct disciples of Sri Ramakrishna. He served in the Bhubaneswar, Belur Math, Madras Math, Institute of Culture (Golpark) and Mysore centres of the Ramakrishna order. He was the head of the Rangoon Sevashrama, Deoghar, Vrindaban, Baghbazar (Udbodhan), Bombay and Delhi centres. He was the founder-secretary of the Purulia centre. He became Trustee in 1973 and General Secretary of the order from April 1985-February 1989. He left this mortal world on 18th May, 2001 at the age of 92. He authored many books which were well received by the public. He was well-read in Sanskrit, Bengali and English literatures. He remained active till his last and was known for his large heartedness.