Pramukh Swami, the 95-year-old founder of Akshardham temples and a saint of the Swaminarayan sect, passed away after prolonged illness at the Sarangpur temple, 150 km from here, on Saturday evening.
He was the president of the Bochasanvasi Akshar Purushottam Sanstha (BAPS), a sub-sect of the Swaminarayan sect, which during his tenure expanded globally, with over 3000 temples built in five decades worldwide. Akshardham temples built in Gandhinagar and New Delhi are considered the largest Hindu temple complexes in India. The Swaminarayan temple in Atlanta, built by the BAPS, is regarded as the largest Hindu temple outside the Indian subcontinent.
During his spiritual journey since January 1940, when he was initiated as a saint by his Guru Shastriji Maharaj, founder of the BAPS, Pramukh Swami was a spiritual guide or mentor to over one million followers, who treat him as incarnation of Lord Swaminarayan. He catapulted the Gujarat-centric Swaminarayan sect to a global socio-cultural Hindu movement engaged in running charitable hospitals, Gurukuls, schools and shelters in tribal areas. Pramukh Swami created 1,000 saints and over 50,000 volunteers who oversee the programmes of the sect in India and abroad.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the late President, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam were among his followers.
Mr. Modi tweeted: “HH Pramukh Swami Maharaj, a stalwart among humans who embody compassion and humility. His service to society will always be remembered. HH Pramukh Swami Maharaj was a mentor to me. I will never forget my interactions with him. Will miss his presence.”
Kalam had written a book on his “spiritual experiences with Pramukh Swami” and during his tenure as President, he had inaugurated the Akshardham temple complex in New Delhi.
Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani and the former Chief Minister, Anandiben Patel, condoled with the passing away of Pramukh Swami.
More than half-a-million followers are expected to gather at the Sarangpur temple for the last rites of Pramukh Swami scheduled for Monday.
