Unwell for some time, he was suffering from chest infection when he breathed his last at the Sarangpur temple in Gujarat.
Pramukh Swamiji, the spiritual head of a million- strong Bochasanwasi Akshar Purshottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS), popularly known as Swaminarayan sect, passed away on Saturday.
Unwell for some time, he was suffering from chest infection when he breathed his last at the Sarangpur temple in Gujarat. The temple was his favourite and is considered to be one of the places of pilgrimage for the Swaminarayan sect devotees. His last rites are expected to be held there on August 17 after his devotees pay their last respects to the spiritual leader.
Pramukh Swamiji, as he was known, was 95 years old when he breathed his last. He became the spiritual head of the community in 1971 after his guru passed away. He was the fifth head of the sect after Lord Swaminarayan. Born in 1921 in village Chansad, close to Vadodara in Gujarat, Pramukh Swami took Diksha in 1929. It is said that as a passionate cricketer, he was going to fetch a cricket kit when his guru called for him.
Then, he left his passion and family to be of service to people.
Under Pramukh Swami, the sect has seen nearly 1,000 temples built across India and the world – with two Akshardham temples - in Gujarat and Delhi, in 1992 and 2005, respectively.
All temples carry carvings and motifs resembling ancient Indian architecture of gods and goddesses. The Swaminarayan temple in Dadar is an example.
"There are a lot of temples, but for us, his teachings are more important. He was our guide and he gave solutions to our problems," said Rohit Naik, one of his followers, who will be travelling to Gujarat for the last rites. Dates have been allotted and devotees are going in batches for the last darshan of the Pramukh Swami.
Avrat Swamiji, one of the swamis at the Dadar temple, said: "One by one, all sadhus will go there for the last darshan." His body will be kept for public till August 17.
Pramukh Swami also introduced a number of initiatives. They include de-addiction drive, encouraging living in family and familiarising religious scriptures among children.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted: "HH Pramukh Swami Maharaj, a stalwart among humans who embodied compassion & 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."
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