Fought for establishment of Sanatana Dharma, self-proclaimed godman Swami Nithyananda dies, says aide

CHENNAI: The death news of self-proclaimed godman Nithyananda is being circulated widely. Sundareswaran, son and follower of Nithyananda's sister, informed that Swami, who fought for the establishment of Sanatana Dharma, had sacrificed his life. This was revealed in a video conference with Nithyananda's followers. However, no official report has been released on his death so far.

Nithyananda was born at Tiruvannamalai in Tamil Nadu. He later rose to fame through spirituality. He attracted a large number of devotees by claiming to have divine abilities. He has multiple ashrams in India and abroad. In 2010, an obscene video of Nithyananda with a film actress had surfaced. Nithyananda embroiled in controversies had left India in 2019. He left the country after the police-initiated proceedings to arrest him on the complaint of a couple in connection with the kidnap of their three children.

There were reports that he bought an island near the Latin American country of Ecuador and named it 'Kailasa' and lived there with his followers. He later conducted spiritual lectures online several times. He also claimed to have founded a country called Kailasa. There were rumors in 2022 that Nithyananda had died. However, at that time, he himself came forward informing that he has health issues and was under the doctor's observation.