PM Narendra Modi's Guru Swami Dayanand Giri passes away

Pic courtesy: Narendra Modi's Twitter handle

New Delhi: Swami Dayanand Giri, spiritual guru of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, passed away on Wednesday evening in Rishikesh.

87-year-old Giri breathed his last at 10:20 pm at his ashram in Sheeshamjhadi area.

For quite some time, Giri had not been keeping well and was admitted to a hospital from where he was discharged a few days back despite his deteriorating health condition.

His last rites will take place on September 25.

PM Modi, who had visited his ashram to enquire about his health on September 11, expressed his condolences after arriving in the US.

He tweeted: "Swami Dayananda Saraswati ji's demise is a personal loss. I pray that his soul attains eternal peace."

Swami Dayananda Saraswati ji's demise is a personal loss. I pray that his soul attains eternal peace. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 24, 2015

My thoughts are with the countless people inspired by Dayananda Saraswati ji. He was a powerhouse of knowledge, spirituality & service. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 24, 2015