Shri Ram Chand Ji Mahajan, affectionatley remembered as Pita Ji in Houston’s Hindu community, was the founder of Arya Samaj Greater Houston as well as the founder of the Arya Pratinidhi Sabha of North America Born in Sialkot (now in Pakistan) in a very religious, patriotic and community minded family, he studied to receive a Master of Arts (M.A.) degree in Lahore During this time, he came under the influence of Mahatma Hans Raj and became very active in Arya Samaj and D.A.V. organizations participating very enthusiastically in local community affairs. Following the partition of India, the family settled in Batala, where Shri Ram Chand Ji started business as a bridge and building contractor. Even while working on government contracts, he did not forget his basic values. For him, the religion and faith in God’s will did not stop at the door of a temple or at the end of a havan. For him, the Vedic principles were living things one lives by.

      Following his retirement, he came to U.S.A. in 1979 to join his eldest son and his family. Immediately he became active in the workings of the Hindu community in Houston as well as across U.S.A. His efforts brought forth the founding of the Arya Pratinidhi Sabha. Later, in July 1991, he motivated a number of prominent members of Hindu Community in Houston to establish Arya Samaj Greater Houston. The Sunday satsangs were held in a store donated by Sunil and Rita Mehta for the exclusive use of Arya Samaj. He knew there were a number of excellent schools in the community to offer formal education, but none to teach our children about their heritage and culture. Thus, in 1994, D.A.V. School opened its doors to six students with volunteer parents providing instruction in Hindi, Music, Naitik Shiksha , History and Culture.

      Soon, plans were afoot to construct a permanent home for Arya Samaj Greater Houston and the Vedic Culture Center. In 1997, doors opened to the new home of Arya Samaj Greater Houston on Schiller Road in west Houston. Soon after, as the needs of the Sanskriti School and the Montessori School started to grow, plans were made to develop the rest of the 4-acre property belonging to Arya Samaj in the form of a separate school building. Pita Ji had passed away in early 1998, and Mahajan Parivar offered to build an outdoor yagya shala to fulfill a last wish of their beloved patriarch.

      True to its motto of Krinavanto Vishwam Aryam – Make the World Noble, the Arya Samaj preaches return to Vedas through Sunday satsangs which include traditional Havan, Bhajans and discourses on topics of importance and interest. To instill in children of indian origin a sense of their rich heritage, Arya Samaj has organized a Sunday school, D.A.V. School, where instruction is provided in Hindi, Indian music, History and Culture of India. For children 3 to 7 years olds, the D.A.V. Montessori School, provides pre-school to first grade education enriching traditional Montessori curriculum with a program of instruction in Hindi and Naitik Shiksha. In addition to the year around programs, the Arya Samaj holds special camps and classes during summer. The Vedic Culture Center promotes health and spiritual well being of adults of all ages through Saturday Yoga and Meditation Classes, seminars and classes on scriptures, health issues etc., and special programs such as Ram Navami, Foundation Day and India’s Independence Day, and Deepwali and Rishi Nirvanostav. The temple complex also houses a very well stocked library of books on all religions and books of special interest to children.