Tributes have been paid to the the spiritual head of BAPS, H.H. Pramukh Swami Maharaj, who passed away in Sarangpur, Gujarat, at the age of 95 years.
Pramukh Swami Maharaj was the fifth spiritual successor in the guru parampara tradition of Bhagwan Swaminarayan.
The BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha is a spiritual, volunteer-driven organization dedicated to improving society through individual growth by fostering the Hindu ideals of faith, unity, and selfless service.
For more than seven decades he had been travelling tirelessly, visiting over 17,000 towns and villages in India and abroad.
However, for the last two years, because of old age and frail health, he had been residing at the BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in Sarangpur under the able care of expert doctors.
Most recently, Pramukh Swami Maharaj had been affected by a chest infection from which he had gradually recovered.
However, due to his longstanding heart problems, he passed away peacefully at the BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in Sarangpur.
Pramukh Swami Maharaj was born on 7 December 1921 to a farmer’s family in the small village of Chansad, near Vadodara in Gujarat. In 1939, he renounced home to become a renunciate and received initiation into the sadhu-fold from his guru, Brahmaswarup Shastriji Maharaj and was named Sadhu Narayanswarupdas.
On completing his Sanskrit studies, he was appointed as the kothari of the BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in Sarangpur in 1946 at the age of 25 years. Then in 1950, aged 28 years, Shastriji Maharaj selected him as the President (Pramukh) of BAPS in his place. Since then, he had been fondly known as ‘Pramukh Swami’.
Shastriji Maharaj passed away in 1951, declaring Yogiji Maharaj as his spiritual successor. Thereafter, Pramukh Swami served under the guidance and blessings of Yogiji Maharaj. In 1971, after the departure of guru Yogiji Maharaj, Pramukh Swami Maharaj succeeded him as the fifth spiritual guru of BAPS.
Over the next 45 years, his unremitting satsang travels, selfless services to society, saintly virtues and profound devotion to God earned him the respect and reverence of countless worldwide.
He also created and consecrated 1,100 mandirs and giant cultural complexes like Swaminarayan Akshardham in New Delhi and Gandhinagar to portray the cultural and spiritual heritage of India.
Tributes were to the Pramukh Swami Maharaj across the world.
The sad news of Pramukh Swami Maharaj's death has just reached me.
— Jeremy Corbyn MP (@jeremycorbyn) August 13, 2016
My condolences to all at BAPS.
Jai Swaminarayan! pic.twitter.com/QKQeX03N1G
Although today he passes from us, his spirit and wisdom lives on in our hearts.
— Barry Gardiner (@BarryGardiner) August 13, 2016
Rest in Peace Pramukh Swami Maharaj pic.twitter.com/VBDGzkHIq7
Inspired millions. Loved all. Preserved values. Sad day today as my spiritual mentor #PramukhSwami has passed. pic.twitter.com/d1nezTdjzq
— Dr. Jamin Brahmbhatt (@jaminbrahmbhatt) August 14, 2016
When one door of happiness closes, another opens ... RIP...🙏#PramukhSwami #PramukhSwamiMaharaj pic.twitter.com/BIQtEtPBlF
— Bobby Deol (@thebobbydeoll) August 13, 2016
I am deeply sad. #PramukhSwami Maharaj (95) of Swami Narayan movement, a great Hindu saint of our time, is no more. pic.twitter.com/41CsSiNKOF
— Sudheendra Kulkarni (@SudheenKulkarni) August 13, 2016
#PramukhSwami created a new paradigm for modern spiritual Hindu, focussed on youth for social reforms. pic.twitter.com/rHEbKxlYSm
— Tarun Vijay (@Tarunvijay) August 13, 2016
I am deeply sad. #PramukhSwami Maharaj (95) of Swami Narayan movement, a great Hindu saint of our time, is no more. pic.twitter.com/41CsSiNKOF
— Sudheendra Kulkarni (@SudheenKulkarni) August 13, 2016
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