Swami Dayananda Saraswati gave shape to Arya Samaj on 10 April 1875, laying its foundations in Bombay. At a time when India buzzed with calls for renewal and reform, he championed a back-to-the-Vedas approach—rejecting ritualism, caste hierarchy and superstitions. His clarion call for women’s education, widow remarriage and social upliftment resonated far and wide, turning the new society into a beacon of progressive Hindu thought.

Since then, Arya Samaj branches have spread across the subcontinent and beyond. Temples, schools and charitable institutions bear its mark, from Delhi’s DAV campuses to community kitchens feeding thousands in Mumbai’s bustling neighborhoods. In April 2025, followers celebrated the 150th anniversary with seminars, cultural performances and tree-planting drives, underscoring the movement’s enduring relevance.

Today’s digital age has given Arya Samaj fresh momentum—virtual discourses on Vedic wisdom stream across YouTube, while Instagram reels showcase yajña ceremonies and social campaigns against illiteracy. Swami Dayananda’s vision of a society built on equality and pure Vedic values still strikes a chord, proving that a century and a half later, those early sparks continue to light the way.