Acharya Satyendra Das, chief priest of Ayodhya Ram Temple, passes away

LUCKNOW: Acharya Satyendra Das (85), the chief priest of the Ayodhya Ram Temple, passed away early yesterday morning at SGPGI Hospital in Lucknow. He had been undergoing treatment following a stroke.

At the age of 21, he joined the Nirvani Akhada and took up sainthood. In 1992, he was appointed as the chief priest of the Ayodhya temple. Acharya Satyendra Das had recently participated in the first anniversary celebrations of the Pran Pratishtha ceremony at the temple on January 11. The other day, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had visited him to assess his health condition.

Expressing deep sorrow, Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote on X that Acharya Satyendra Das' contributions would always be remembered. Yogi Adityanath described his passing as an irreparable loss, and several prominent figures extended their condolences.