Head of socio-spiritual organisation BAPS and inspirer of world renowned Akshardham mandir, HH Pramukh Swami Maharaj left for heavenly abode on Sunday (August 13) at 6 pm. Thousands of devotees from all over Gujarat as well as other parts of the country are thronging the temple in the small town of Sarangpur for darshan.
As soon as news were made public, dignitaries across the country, namely India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Shri Amit Shah, Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi of Congress party , Shri Arun Jaitley, ex-chief minister of Gujarat Anandiben Patel, spiritual guru Sri Sri Ravishankarji, spiritual guru Morari Bapu and spiritual yoga guru Ramdev Maharaj expressed grief, pain and condolences.
India’s President Pranab Mukherjee condoled the death Pramukh Swami, calling him a ‘crusader for spiritual values’. He described Swamiji as a pious soul who was always concerned about the welfare of humanity.
‘I am sad to learn about the demise of HH Pramukh Swami Maharaj. Swamiji was a pious soul, always concerned about the welfare of humanity. A constant crusader for spiritual values, Swamiji's teachings of service to mankind have great relevance in the present world,’ said President Mukherjee in a statement. ‘Swamiji's words and wisdom will remain a source of inspiration to all his followers and people at large, guiding
them on the path of love and compassion,' he said in a message.
Modi will visit Gujarat on Monday (August 15) to pay tribute to Swaminarayan sect's spiritual head Pramukh Swami, whose mortal remains have been kept at a temple in Sarangpur..
On Saturday (August 13), Modi had tweeted that he was a stalwart among humans who embodied compassion and humility.
‘HH (his Highness) Pramukh Swami Maharaj, a stalwart among humans, who embodied compassion and humility. His service to the society will always be remembered,’Modi said in a tweet.
Modi is scheduled to arrive in Sarangpur, located in adjoining Botad district, in afternoon, said Deputy Chief Minister of Gujarat Nitin Patel, who along with Chief Minister Vijay Rupani paid their tributes on Sunday (August 14). Rupani reached Sarangpur at 8 am and paid his respects by laying a wreath and offering a garland at the holy feet of Swamishri. Expressing his grief, Rupani said he felt Gujarat had lost a great soul. ‘Pramukh Swami Maharaj, after Swami Vivekanand, had served Hinduism by constructing 1100 temples across the globe and keeping the flag of Indian culture and values flying high,’ said Rupani.
Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel also fondly remembered the selfless services of the BAPS under the leadership of Pramukh Swami Maharaj for spreading and propagating Indian culture and heritage in many countries, inspiring de-addiction campaigns and disaster relief works and other philanthropic works.
The Governor of Gujarat, O.P. Kohli, expressed his regret for not getting the chance to meet him in person. He said that the book by late ex-president of India Dr APJ Abdul Kalam on the life and work of Pramukh Swami Maharaj had inspired him a lot. ‘It is not that India has lost a great man. It is humanity that has lost a great man. He was not a man of a particular country or a particular nation. He belonged to entire humanity. It is a great loss to humanity,’ said Kohli.
Senior BJP leader L K Advani while describing him as a teacher and scholar, Advani said his message of compassion and service will remain an inspiration and he will be remembered for his wisdom and vision for humanity. '
'I deeply mourn the sad demise of His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharajji,’ Advani said in a statement. ‘Swamiji was a teacher, a scholar, a sage, a companion of the needy. He was a pleasant, soft spoken individual and had a magnanimous personality. His message of compassion and service will remain an inspiration. We will always remember him for his wisdom and vision for humanity. I pay my heartfelt homage to the departed soul,’ he said.
Meanwhile, Aam Aadmi Party has announced party's national convener and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal would also visit the temple on August 16.
Ministers, politicians and devotees today made a beeline to the Sarangpur-based Swaminarayan temple, where they paid their respect to the 95-year-old saint. Besides Rupani and Patel, Gujarat Revenue Minister Bhupendrasinh Chudasama along with newly-inducted Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya paid floral tributes to Swami.
Former Finance Minister Saurabh Patel and Leader of Opposition in Gujarat Assembly Shankersinh Vaghela of Congress were also among those who paid their respects to the popular religious leader, who enjoyed a wide following.
As the flow of devotees is expected to increase in days to come, elaborate arrangements have been made, said Rupani.
‘To supervise the arrangements in the wake of huge rush of devotees, we have deployed a senior IAS officer and five IPS officers. We have also instructed District Collector and local police to ensure people do not face any problem during their visit,’ said Rupani.
Several special arrangement including buses and trains have been also arranged for smooth transportation facilities for all devotees who wish to pay their last repects to Swamiji.
