Balagangadharanatha Swamiji of Adichunchanagiri Mutt passes away; RSS expressed condolences

January 13th, 2013, 8:19 pm

Bangalore January 13, 2013: Poojaneeya Balagangadharanath Swamiji of Adichunchanagiri Mutt passes away in Bangalore, today evening.

BalagaBalagangadharanatha Swamiji of Adichunchanagiri Mutt, Karnataka.

BalagaBalagangadharanatha Swamiji of Adichunchanagiri Mutt, Karnataka.

Sri Sri Sri Balagangadharanatha Swamiji was the present seer of Adichunchanagiri, Nagamangala Taluk, Mandya district. He was awarded Padma Bhushan, India’s third highest civilian honour for the year 2010.

He was born to Sri Chikkalinge Gowda and Smt. Boramma as Gangadharaiah. He had five siblings – two brothers and three sisters. Sri Gangadharaiah completed his graduation in Science from Government Arts & Science College, Bengaluru. Motivated by the desire to serve God and the people, he chose the spiritual way of life. Initiated at the age of nineteen, Sri Swamiji spent his initial years mastering the Vedas and other sacred texts under the tutelage of his Guru Sri Ramanandanatha Swamiji.

Sri Sri Sri Balagangadharanatha Mahaswamiji took over as the 71st Pontiff of the ancient Natha Center of Worship, Sri Adichunchanagiri Math, on 24 September 1974 at the age of 30. He is of the line of Sri Bhakthanatha Swamiji, Sri Chandrashekaranatha Swamiji and Sri Ramanandanatha Swamiji of the ‘Natha Tradition’ (Parampara).

The Swamiji has been undergoing dialysis following kidney problems. On January 13, the Swamiji was admitted to the BGS Global Hospital in Kengeri after his blood pressure went out of control during dialysis. Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister R Ashoka, also a Vokkaliga leader, addressed the press and said that there is no need to worry. However, further details are awaited.

Couldn’t withstand the medical treatment he succumbed to death at BGS Global hospital, Kengeri, Bangalore

RSS expressed condolences:

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh has expressed its deep condolences on the demise pf Poojaneeya Balagangadharanath Swamiji. Sri Swamiji was  closely associated with RSS, VHP since few decades. Swamiji also was guiding as Mahaposhak of Hindu Seva Prathisthan, a premier Seva organisation initiated by Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh.

Swamiji inaugurated the 3-day mega RSS convention by name SAMARASATA SANGAMA on January 25, 2002 at Nagawara of Bangalore in which nearly 40, 000 Swayamsevaks of RSS Karnataka south participated. Swamiji discussed several socio-religious issues with the then Sarasanghachalak KS Sudarshan, RSS Ideologue HV Sheshadri. Swamiji strongly opposed the religious conversion by Christhian missionaries, held several protest against forced conversions in Karnataka. Swamiji also participated in Cattle protection Dharna’s /meetings along with Shankaracharya of Puri Swami Nischalananda Saraswati along with former Bihar Governor Rama Jois in Bangalore on Tuesday on April 12, 2006.  Swamiji joined hands and with several other Religious leaders and opposed strongly the arrest of Kanchi Sankaracharya Sri Jayendra Sarawathi and demanded his immediate release, during November 25, 2004.

Recently, on August 15, 2012 RSS Sarasanghachalak Mohan Bhagwat met Sri Balagandharanath Swamiji at Adichunchanagiri Mutt and discussed several socio-religious issues. Many of the BGS institutions have hosted the Vargs (RSS cadre training camps) of RSS. In Kolar district Balagandharanath Swamiji had played a major role in Paraavartan, bringing back about 5000 to 6000 families back to Hindu fold. Balagandharanath Swamiji had provided free education, health and other such facilities to these families who returned to Hinduism after these Paravartan ceremony. Swamiji eXpressed happiness and gave examples of Muslim students learning Gita verses. Swamiji opined that “Hinduism is not only religious, but also scientific and we need to propagate the strengths”, said with Mohan Bhagwat.

RSS Karnataka Pranth Sanghachalak Ma Venkataramu, Senior RSS Pracharak Mai Cha Jayadev, RSS Joint General Secretary Dattatreya Hosabale and several other leaders expressed deep condolences.

BalagaBalagangadharanatha Swamiji of Adichunchanagiri Mutt inaugurating the Silver Jubilee Celebration of Hindu Seva Pratishthan, in 2011.

Balagangadharanatha Swamiji inaugurating the mammoth RSS Conclave Samarasata Sangam in 2002 at Nagawara, Bangalore

Balagangadharanatha Swamiji at inaugural ceremony of the mammoth RSS Conclave Samarasata Sangam in 2002 at Nagawara, Bangalore