By Shubham Ghosh
HARIPRASAD Swami, founder of Yogi Divine Society and the head of Haridham Sokhada Swaminarayan Temple, passed away in India on Monday, July 26. He was undergoing treatment for kidney ailments at Bhailal hospital in Vadodara, Gujarat where he breathed his last. He was 87.
Followers from all over the world expressed grief over the spiritual leader passing away. Hundreds of devotees thronged the hospital to pay their final tributes.
Indian prime minister Narendra Modi and Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani condoled Swamiji’s death. Rupani said Swami’s immense contribution to inspire youth in the field of education and his message for spreading the message of spirituality and social service in the society will be remembered for long.
Born at Asoja in Vadodara district in 1934, Hariprasad Swami spent more than 55 years of his life as a monk. His body will be kept for antim darshan (final sighting) at Haridham Sokhda between July 27 and 31. The last rites will be performed at Haridham Sokhda on August 1.
Swami got diksha (consecration) for monkhood from Yogiji Maharaj in 1965. For a decade before that, he worked as a secretary to Yogiji Maharaj.
Swamiji’s organisation offers quality education to several students across various states of Gujarat through his Atmiya institutions.
Courtesy: Eastern Eye
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