Mahant Satyendra Das, the esteemed chief priest of the Ram Janmabhoomi temple in Ayodhya, passed away at a hospital in Lucknow on Wednesday. The spiritual leader, aged 85, had been receiving medical treatment at the Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences (SGPGI) after suffering a severe brain stroke earlier this month.
According to an official statement from the hospital, “Mahant Satyendra Das ji, chief priest of the Ram Janmabhoomi temple, took his last breath today. He was admitted to the High Dependency Unit (HDU) of the neurology ward on February 3 after being brought in a critical condition due to a stroke.”
His demise has left a deep void in the spiritual and religious community, particularly in Ayodhya, where he served as an integral figure in the Ram temple movement for decades. Expressing profound grief over the passing of Mahant Satyendra Das, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath extended his condolences. It acknowledged the loss as an irreparable one for the spiritual world.
“The passing away of the great devotee of Lord Ram and the chief priest of the sacred Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple, Acharya Shri Satyendra Kumar Das Ji Maharaj, is an extremely sorrowful event and an irreplaceable loss to the spiritual and religious community—my heartfelt tributes to the revered soul. I pray to Lord Shri Ram to grant eternal peace to the departed soul and to provide strength to his disciples and followers to bear this immense loss,” Adityanath said in his condolence message.
Echoing similar sentiments, Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak expressed his sorrow over the demise of the esteemed priest. “His passing is a great loss to the devotees of Lord Ram. I extend my deepest sympathies to all his followers and disciples. May God give them the courage and strength to cope with this irreparable loss,” he remarked.
Mahant Satyendra Das dedicated his life to spirituality at a young age. He took ‘sanyas’ (renunciation) at the age of 20 and committed himself to the service of Lord Ram and the temple. His association with the Ram Janmabhoomi temple dates back to a significant period in history. He was actively serving as a priest during the tumultuous events surrounding the demolition of the Babri Masjid on December 6, 1992.
In an interview with PTI in 2022, Das shared his experience of that fateful day. Recalling the incident, he stated, “I was present at the site when the structure was being brought down. It happened before my eyes. I was a direct witness to the event. Out of the three domes of the mosque, the northern and southern domes were the first to be demolished by the ‘kar seeks’ (volunteer devotees). I took Ram Lalla, along with his throne, in my hands to ensure his safety.”
Describing the sequence of events further, Das had mentioned, “By 5 PM, the entire structure was razed to the ground. The ‘kar sewaks’ then swiftly pitched a tent at the site and leveled the ground. By 7 PM, I placed Ram Lalla in the makeshift temple that was set up at the location.”
Following the demolition and subsequent legal proceedings, the government took control of the site, and Mahant Satyendra Das was appointed as the chief priest of the makeshift Ram temple. His tenure as chief priest spanned over three decades, during which he remained a steadfast and devoted guardian of the temple’s spiritual essence.
Paying tribute to the late priest, Champat Rai, the president of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, fondly recalled the simplicity and humility with which Das served the temple. Rai highlighted how, despite being in a position of religious significance, Mahant Satyendra Das accepted only a nominal remuneration of Rs 100 when he was appointed as the chief priest, underscoring his selfless devotion to Lord Ram.
Mahant Satyendra Das belonged to the Nirvani Akhara, a prominent monastic order, and was widely regarded as one of the most approachable saints in Ayodhya. He was known for his deep knowledge of the Ayodhya movement’s history and was often the first point of contact for journalists and scholars seeking insights into the temple’s past and developments. His wisdom and guidance played a crucial role in shaping public understanding of the temple’s journey.
Sharad Sharma, the Ayodhya-based spokesperson for the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP), also expressed his heartfelt condolences. “Mahant Satyendra Das was a highly respected figure in Ayodhya and among those who had firsthand knowledge of the history of the Ram Janmabhoomi movement. His demise is a great loss, and we deeply mourn his passing,” Sharma stated.
The loss of Mahant Satyendra Das is deeply felt among the religious and spiritual communities, as well as by the countless devotees who revered him. His life was a testament to unwavering faith, dedication, and humility. As prayers and tributes continue to pour in from across the country, his contributions to the Ram Janmabhoomi temple and the Ayodhya movement will be remembered for generations to come.