Pramukh Swami Maharaj, head of BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, passes away in Sarangpur

Swami Maharaj had been under treatment for chest infection for the past few weeks.

Image credit: Wikipedia/Nilesh Dave

Sarangpur: Pramukh Swami Maharaj, the head of Boachasanvasi Akshar Purushottam Sanstha (BAPS), passed away at the age of 95 in Sarangpur, Gujarat on Saturday.

Pramukh Swami Maharaj, who had been under treatment for chest infection for the past few weeks, breathed his last at 6 pm this evening.

This was the second time that Pramukh Swami Maharaj had contracted chest infection, a BAPS spokesperson had said recently.

"His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj, spiritual head and president of the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, inspirer of countless and a great servant of society, passed away today, at 6 pm in Sarangpur. We deeply mourn the departure of our revered guruji," an official statement of BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha said.

The BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha had said in a health update on Friday: “Param Pujya Pramukh Swami Maharaj's improving health had allowed him to give regular darshan on alternate days but once again his health has weakened due to chest infection. Doctors have advised complete rest. Hence there will be no darshan until his health permits.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed condolences on the passing away of Pramukh Swami Maharaj.

He tweeted:

HH Pramukh Swami Maharaj, a stalwart among humans who embodied compassion & humility. His service to society will always be remembered.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 13, 2016

HH Pramukh Swami Maharaj was a mentor to me. I will never forget my interactions with him. Will miss his presence. pic.twitter.com/p4lsx65zjY

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 13, 2016

Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani also expressed grief and tweeted:

Deeply pained to hear passing away of Param Pujya Pramukh Swami Maharaj. It's irreparable loss to the society as whole. My prayer ! +

— Vijay Rupani (@vijayrupanibjp) August 13, 2016

+ He as a spiritual head of @BAPS has played vital role in transcending Indian value system across the world same as Swami Vivekanand did.

— Vijay Rupani (@vijayrupanibjp) August 13, 2016

According to Wikipedia, Pramukh Swami Maharaj was the current guru and president of the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, an international Hindu socio-spiritual organization.

The world-famous Akshardham temples of New Delhi and Gandhinagar, Gujarat have been built by the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha.