Swami Prakashananda passes away, PM & Kerala CM condoles demise

Thiruvananthapuram:Former head of Sivagiri Sree Narayana Dharma Sanghom Trust Swami Prakashananda passed away at a hospital in Varkala on Wednesday.The 99-year-old died due to age old illness at the Sree Narayana Mission Hospital in Varkala, sources said.

He became the Trust General Secretary in 1970 and 1977 and was the President from 1995-97 and 2006-16.At the age of 22, Prakashananda joined the Sivagiri monastery as the Shishya of Swami Sankarananda.The funeral will take place this evening.

Sree Narayana Dharma Sanghom Trust, Sivagiri Mutt, Varkala is a spiritual order of saints and sanyasins founded in 1928 by Sree Narayana Guru, a Saint and social reformer of 19th century in the state.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Opposition leader VD Satheesan, BJP state President K Surendran, Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala, KPCC President K Sudhakaran, SNDP Yogam General Secretary Vellappally Natesan and several leaders cutting across political lines condoled the demise of Swami Prakashananda.

PM condoles demise of former head of Sivagiri Mutt, Swami Prakashananda Ji

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday expressed deep grief over the demise of the former head of Sivagiri Mutt, Swami Prakashananda Ji and said that he took the lead in popularising the noble thoughts of Sree Narayana Guru.

Taking to twitter, he said,"Swami Prakashananda Ji was a beacon of knowledge and spirituality. His selfless deeds of service empowered the poorest of the poor. He took the lead in popularising the noble thoughts of Sree Narayana Guru. Pained by his demise. Om Shanti."

The former head of the Sivagiri Mutt in Kerala, Swami Prakashananda, passed away on July 7 at the age of 99. He was reportedly admitted to the Sree Narayana Mission hospital in Varkala due to an age-related illness and passed away on Wednesday morning.

Swami Prakashananda has been very influential in popularising Sivagiri Mutt, which is a pilgrimage spot centred on social reformer Sree Narayana Guru. He was also the former President of Sree Narayana Dharma Sangham Trust.

Kerala Guv, CM condole demise of Swami Prakashananda

Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Wednesday condoled the demise of former head of Sivagiri Sree Narayana Dharma Sanghom Trust Swami Prakashananda.

The 99-year-old died due to age-old illness at the Sree Narayana Mission Hospital at Varkala today.In a message, the Governor said "Deeply grieved by the demise of Swami Prakasananda, former Head of Sivagiri Mutt."

"As a selfless spiritual Guru, he devoted his life to the promotion of Sree Narayana Guru's teachings. May his soul attain Mukti," he added.The Chief Minister in a message said the death of Prakashananda Swami caused an irreparable loss to progressive Kerala.

He said Prakashananda Swami had dedicated his life to propagate Sree Narayana Guru’s teachings and principles such as “One Caste, One Religion, One God for Man."(UNI)