Anandrishiji Maharajsaab was a Jain religious leader.The Government of India issued a commemorative postage stamp in his honour on 9 August 2002. He was awarded with the honorary title of Rashtra Sant by Maharashtra’s chief minister.He was the Second Aacharya of Vardhaman Sthanakvasi Shraman Sangha.
He was born in chinchodi, Maharashtra on 27 July 1900 and received initiation from the age of thirteen with Acharya Ratna Rishiji Maharaj, who died in Alipur, Maharashtra in 1927. He was pious from his childhood, and started taking religious lessons at an early age. From 1964 until his death in 1992, he was the second Acharya of Vardhman Sthanakvasi Jain Shravak Sangh, a Jain religious body.
At the age of 13, Nemichand decided to spend the rest of his life as a Jain sant. His diksha (consecration) took place on 7 December 1913 at Miri in Ahmednagar district. He was then given the name Anand Rishi Ji Maharaj. He started learning Sanskrit and Prakrit Stotras under the guidance of Pandit Rajdhari Tripathi. He gave his first pravachan to the public in 1920 at Ahmednagar.
Anand Rishi Ji started many programs to benefit Shravaks. While in Ghodnadi for chaturmas, he decided to establish a religious center called Shri. Tilok Ratna Sthanakvasi Jain Dharmik Pariksha Board. It was established in Ahmednagar on 25 November 1936.
He was the founder of many educational institutes. The AnandDham, Anandrishiji Hospital, Anandrishiji Netralaya and Anandrishiji Blood Bank in Ahmednagar were built in his memory and are named after him.
He accepted santhara (preparation for death by fasting) before his death on 28 March 1992 in Ahmednagar, Maharashtra.