Acharya Satyendra Das Passes Away at 83: Chief Priest of Ayodhya’s Ram Janmabhoomi Temple Breathed His Last in Lucknow
Acharya Satyendra Das, the revered chief priest of the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Ayodhya, passed away at the age of 83 at Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences (SGPGIMS) in Lucknow. The institute confirmed his demise in an official statement.
He had been admitted to the neurology ward’s high-dependency unit (HDU) on February 3 after suffering a brain stroke on February 2. Despite receiving intensive medical care, he succumbed to his condition.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had visited SGPGIMS on February 4 to check on the health of the senior priest.
A prominent figure in Ayodhya’s religious landscape, Acharya Satyendra Das played a significant role in the events surrounding the Ram Janmabhoomi movement. He was the chief priest during the demolition of the Babri Masjid on December 6, 1992. Before the demolition, he carefully relocated the idols to the Fakire Mandir, later placing them in the makeshift temple at the Ram Janmabhoomi site. Following the consecration ceremony of the newly constructed Ram Temple in Ayodhya, he continued to serve as the head priest.
Just weeks before his passing, Acharya Satyendra Das had participated in the first anniversary celebrations of the Pran Pratishtha ceremony at the temple on January 11, describing the event as a grand and spiritually uplifting occasion.
Key Highlights of Acharya Satyendra Das’s Life:
- Spiritual Journey: He embarked on a path of devotion at the age of 20, dedicating his life to temple service.
- Health Struggles: He battled diabetes and high blood pressure alongside the stroke that ultimately led to his passing.
- Media Presence: Widely respected, he was often sought by the media for insights on temple developments and religious matters in Ayodhya.
- Recent Hospitalization: Initially admitted to a private hospital in Ayodhya, he was later shifted to SGPGIMS in Lucknow for advanced medical treatment.
- Documentary Appearance: His views and experiences were featured in the 2024 documentary series The Battle of Ayodhya, which delved into the long-standing dispute over the temple site.
His passing marks the end of an era for Ayodhya’s religious leadership, leaving behind a legacy deeply intertwined with the Ram Janmabhoomi movement.
