SIVAGIRI: Senior member of Sree Narayana Dharma Sangham Trust, Swami Vidyananda (76), has attained samadhi. He was undergoing treatment at Sivagiri Sree Narayana Medical Mission Hospital due to age-related illness. He passed away at 8.20 am on Monday. He was the senior-most member of the existing Dharma Sangham Trust.

He took Sanyasa Deeksha from Brahmananda Swami in 1979 as a first-batch student of Sivagiri Brahma Vidyalayam. Purvashrama was in Elanthoor, Pathanamthitta. His name was Sugathan then. He served in the ashrams of Ponganamkadu, Peringottukara, Kurichy, Madurai, Aruvippuram and Kunnumpara. He was also a member of the governing body of the Dharma Sangham Trust. His body was kept for public homage at the Sivagiri Math at 4 pm on Monday and was put in samadhi at 5 pm under the guidance of eminent sannyasis. Dharma Sangham Trust President Swami Sachidananda, General Secretary Swami Shubhangananda, Treasurer Swami Saradananda and others led the ceremony.