Bangalore: Adichunchanagiri Swamiji No More
Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore
Bangalore, Jan 13: Sri Balagangadharanatha Swamiji of Adichunchanagiri in Nagamangala taluk in Mandya district, passed away here on Sunday January 13.
The Swamiji was suffering from kidney ailments and on Sunday, his condition is said to have turned critical. He breathed his last at BGS Hospital in Kengeri, Bangalore.
Balagangadharanatha Swamiji was born to Chikkalinge Gowda and Boramma as Gangadharaiah. He completed his education in Bangalore and adopted a spiritual way of life at the age of 19 under the guidance of Guru Sri Ramanandanatha Swamiji.
Sri Balagangadharanatha Swamiji took over as the 71st chief of the ancient Natha Center of Worship, Sri Adichunchanagiri Math, on September 24, 1974 at the age of 30.
He was known for his pioneering service in the field of education, health and religion. He founded the Sri Adichunchanagiri Shikshana Trust in the year 1974, under which he established more than 475 educational institutions inclusive of a medical college, an ayurvedic medical college, 4 engineering colleges, 2 nursing colleges, 2 pharmacy colleges, 4 international schools, 7 central schools, 2 schools for blind, 5 polytechnics and several other schools and pre-university colleges, most of them in rural areas.
He had been undergoing dialysis for kidney ailment, and on Sunday, suffered a cardiac arrest, sources said.
Sri Sri Ravishankar of Art of Living, Dharmadhikari of Shree Kshetra Dharmasthala Dr D Veerendra Heggade and several state and central leaders including R Ashok, Veerappa Moily, Deve Gowda and others expressed their condolence over the demise of Adichunchanagiri Swamiji.
Sources said that the mortal remains will be kept at Vijaynagar Math for public viewing till Monday January 14 morning. Thereafter, the funeral cortege will leave for Adichunchanagiri Math where the last rites will be held with state honours.
Tight security arrangements have been made to control the crowds that have been flocking to BGS Hospital and also at the Math.