Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi was born on March 21, 1923 to a Christian family in Chhindwara, India. Her parents were Prasad and Cornelia Salve, direct descendants of the royal Shalivahana dynasty. Seeing the beauty of this child who was born with a spotless brilliance, they called her Nirmala, which means 'Immaculate'. 

Chhindwara lies between latitude 21"23' and 22"49' North and longitude 78"10' and 79"24' East. Mostly, the dense forest covers most of the area of the district.

"You must be knowing that I was born in Chhindwara, and Mecca and Chhindwara are on the same Cancer Line(Tropic of Cancer) - How is it?......"

H.H. Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi (Cabella Ligure, Italy, 25.05.1997)