Chief minister and governor of Gujarat pay their respects to HH Pramukh Swami Maharaj

Head of socio-spiritual organisation BAPS and inspirer of world renowned Akshardham mandir, HH Pramukh Swami Maharaj passed away on 13 August 2016 at 6 pm. The word spread fast and the small town of Sarangpur was soon flooded with devotees and well-wishers eager for darshan.

As soon as news were made public, dignitaries across the country, namely, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Amit Shah, Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Arun Jaitley, Anandiben Patel, Sri Sri Ravishankarji, Morari Bapu, Ramdevji Maharaj and others expressed grief, pain and condolences. They paid homage to the exemplary work done by Swamishri.

The chief minister of Gujarat, Vijay Rupani reached Sarangpur at 8.00am and paid his respects by laying a wreath and offering a garland at the holy feet of Swamishri. He addressed the gathering and expressed his pain by saying that he felt Gujarat had lost a great soul. He also said that Pramukh Swami Maharaj, after Swami Vivekanand, had served Hinduism by constructing 1,100 temples across the globe and keeping the flag of Indian culture and values flying high.

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, OP Kohli, expressed his regret for not getting the chance to meet him in person. He said that the book by 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.”

During the course of the day, several political and social stalwarts came for paying homage to Swamishri. All of them mourned the great loss to mankind with the passing away of Swamishri.

Tweets by dignitaries:

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.

- PM Narendra Modi

In last 2 decades, I always enjoyed blessings & love from Pramukh Swami Maharaj. Such souls descend for great missions.

- Swami Ramdev

Deeply mourn the departure of His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj, spiritual head and president of the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha.

- Mamata Banerjee

Saddened by demise of Pujya Pramukh Swami Maharaj Head of BAPS. We have lost a spiritual leader & guide to humanity. May God bless the soul.

- Arun Jaitley

HH Shri Pramukh Swami Maharaj was a true source of inspiration. I was fortunate to have received his blessings. Deeply saddened by the passing of HH Shri Pramukh Swami Maharaj, my guru and the living form of India’s spiritual legacy.

- Amit Shah

Deeply saddened by the passing away of HH Pramukh Swami Maharaj. His message of compassion & service will remain an inspiration.

- Rahul Gandhi

HH Pramukh Swami Maharaj was a guide for humanity & champion of compassion. His teaching are immortal. My deepest condolences of his Aksharwas.

- Ahmed Patel

Deeply pained to hear passing away of Param Pujya Pramukh Swami Maharaj. It’s an irreparable loss to the society as whole. My Prayers! He as a spiritual head of BAPS has played a vital role in transmitting the Indian value system across the world just as Swami Vivekanand did.

- Vijay Rupani

Pramukh Swami created Delhi’s Akshardham, invited Dr Abdul Kalam to inaugurate it, inspired young monks to serve the poor. Pramukh Swami created a new paradigm for modern spiritual Hindu, focussed on youth for social reforms.

- Tarun Vijay

Pramukh Swamiji has been one the greatest saints of the present times. He will continue to inspire the Swami Narayan movement.

- Sri Sri Ravi Shankar