Please note: Opening ceremony of Pujya Hirjibapa Gau Seve Kendre has taken place on 24th and 25th December 2006 at Palakhada, birth place of Bapa. A lot of invited Dignatories, Santos,Sadhus and guests graced this ceremony .

Pujya HIRJI BAPA was a god sent Sant from India to Enlighten the Indian people who had migrated to Kenya and East Africa for business and work.

Pujya Bapa was a very simple and humble Sant (Saint) who planted the seeds of our religion and preached about Humanity.
We can safely say that he laid the foundation upon which a lot of the new generation is now walking.

Pujya Bapa was one Sant who did not discriminate on grounds of cast, colour or creed.He treated everyone equally and would even listen to small children.

There are no words to characterise this simple and humble saint of East Africa. For the new generation, we hope that these few words , which are a drop in the ocean, will give you a glimpse of the eternal glowing life of Pujya Sant Shree Hirji Bapa .  



For it was Pujya Hirji Bapa, a simple young man from Gujarat, who had first sown the seeds of  Bhakti in East Africa in 1914 , almost a century ago.

Today, we witness the fruits of his tireless efforts as we unite together in this unique Samelan , to pay tribute in memory of a devoted Bhakta of Shree Hanumanji Maharaj.

‘Lalbhai ’ or Hirji Ghela Gokani was born in 1889 in a small village near Dwarka . He was the elder of two children born to Ghelabhai and Motima and was brought up in a religious Lohana family where reading the Ramayan was a daily ritual.

After his father passed away, Pujya Bapa worked as a teacher for some 12 years to support his mother and sister. Now at the age of 25 Pujya Bapa embarked on a historical journey by setting foot on the soil of East Africa. The Indians settled in this new land were forgetting the cultural and religious values of our Sanatan Dharma and Bapa felt it was his mission to awaken the religious spirits of our fellow Hindus.

Pujya Bapa was not a Sadhu but a simple family man who led a Grahasti life. He was blessed with 3 sons and 3 daughters by Pujya Hiramaa his wife who was always there to support him. Without Hiramaa, Bapa would not be who he is today. 

Pujya Hirji Bapa was responsible for planting the seed of Sanatan Dharma in East Africa. He was instrumental in the growth of cultural and religious activity over a period of 62 years. He set up at least 40 Bhajan Mandals across East Africa in order to encourage Bhajan Satsang to be carried out regularly. 

The reason why Bapa was so special was because he practised what he preached. He didn’t discriminate between people or religion. This quality in him drew respect and affection from both the young and old, and his followers who were Sikhs, Hindus as well as Africans. 

Pujya Bapa’s Ishtadev was Dwarkadish, yet he was a faithful servant Of Hanumanji, and he built a Ram Mandir and did Satsang on the Ramayan. He continuously chanted ‘ Shiv Shiv ’ as he went about his duties. Bapa believed that he was blessed with Shankar Bhagvans Darshan in person on several occasions, and so he had an increasing faith in him.

Pujya Bapa believed that respect to all Dharmas and respect to all people is one of the greatest ways of achieving godliness. His messages were conveyed in Bhajans and Satsang and his main principle was: 

       HARI NO CHHO, HARI NO THAA, HARI NE GAA, HARI NE VAA.

Bapa claimed it was Hanumanji Maharaj guiding him always and never took any personal credit. Yet many of his devotees saw Hanumanji in Pujya Hirji Bapa. At many times and instances, Bhaktos felt that they had witnessed or experienced a miracle, which Bapa said was only Hanumanji’s blessings. 

Hirji Bapa was indeed a special ‘Aatma’. Even today, Bapas presence is felt around us though he departed almost 27 years ago, his spirit lives on in the hearts of his Bhaktos.

Today a unique dream has come true for all of his followers. A dream to unite all of Pujya Bapas sevaks to pay our respects to one who has shown us the path of righteousness. 

 May Pujya Hirji Bapas name stay immortal and may he reside in our hearts forever .

Pujya Bapa was a true Bhagat and respected all the different sects equally.He was also part of the Ramdevpir Gaat .(www.ramapir.org).He would attend Ramapir Pat wherever he was invited.

We are happy that you have decided to visit our new Internet site. At present, our web site is still under construction. The emphasis of our site also deals with [Pujya Hirji Bapas Life and Mission]. This topic is certainly of interest to you. Stop by again, soon! We would be pleased to hear from you! Please let us know what your needs and questions are, we will be more than happy to help.