Guru Ji Chattarpur Wale, also known as Dugri wale Guruji, Shukrana Guruji, and Pyaare Guruji, whose real name is Nirmal Singhji Maharaj, was born on Monday, July 7, 1952, in Dugri village at Malerkotla, Punjab (India.) 

Education and family

He completed his schooling from Govt. Primary School, Dugri. He had a Masters’s degree in economics and political science.

His father’s name is Shri Mast Ramji and his mother’s name was Late Smt. Surjit Kaur. His father was a farmer and had an agricultural background. He has a younger sister named Krishna. He also had a younger and an elder brother.

Career

Guruji departed from his home after finishing his education to assist people in their spiritual journey. He traveled and sojourned in various locations such as Jalandhar, Chandigarh, Panchkula, Delhi, Mumbai, before eventually settling in a house, now famously known as his temple, situated in Defence Colony, Jalandhar. Until 2002, he frequently commuted between Delhi and Jalandhar, before finally residing in the Chotta Mandir, also known as the Empire Estate house on MG Road in New Delhi.

During the 90s, he established the Shiv Mandir in the Bhatti Mines area in Chattarpur, which is now recognized as the Bade Mandir, and it holds his Samadhi. Furthermore, he founded multiple ashrams across the world. 

There are three prominent Guruji temples accessible to the general public in India. The Bada Mandir, located in Delhi, is one of them and draws in numerous devotees each week. It has a colossal granite lingam, which symbolizes the Hindu deity Lord Shiva, on top of it. The Jalandhar Mandir, situated in Punjab, is open every month on Pooranmashi (Full Moon evening).The Dugri Mandir, situated in Malerkotla, Sangrur, Punjab, is open every first Sunday of the month.

In 1995, Guruji was headquartered in S block Greater Kailash -1, New Delhi. From there, he moved to Empire Estate on Mehrauli Gurgaon Road, Delhi. Nowadays, both the S block Greater Kailash -1 residence and Empire Estate are rarely open to the public. Guru ji also has an ashram in Mumbai.

Guruji temples are now present in various countries, including the United States. The largest temples in the US are located in Somerset and Edison, New Jersey.

Teaching Methodology

Guruji motivates people to focus on their sufferings by meditating on them. He did not advocate idol worship or prescribe any particular customs to his followers. Unlike many Gurus, he does not deliver pravachans (religious sermons) or suggest elaborate rituals. Instead, he promotes practical learning and encourages his followers to establish a direct connection with him through meditation and prayer. Guruji highlights the curative power of prasāda (religious offerings) and discourages wastage. His devotees believe that the langar prasad (communal meal), chai prasad (tea offerings), and jal prasad (water offerings) prepared and served in front of his photograph continue to receive his blessings.

Death

He took ‘maha samadhi’ on Thursday, May 31, 2007, in Delhi. He was 55 years old at the time of his death.