AYODHYA: Ayodhya’s Ram Mandir chief priest, Acharya Satyendra Das, passed away at the age of 85. He took his last breath on Wednesday, February 12, at Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences (SGPGI) in Lucknow.

Satyendra Das was admitted to the hospital on Sunday after suffering a stroke. Initially, he was treated at a private hospital in Ayodhya but was later shifted to SGPGI for better care. He was also dealing with health issues like diabetes and high blood pressure.

On Tuesday evening, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath visited the hospital to check on his health.

Acharya Satyendra Das had been serving as the chief priest of the Ram temple since 1992, even before the Babri Masjid demolition. He joined the spiritual path at the age of 20 and was a respected member of the Nirvani Akhara. He was also known for openly sharing his views with the media about temple-related matters.

His passing is a big loss for the devotees and followers of the Ram temple.

As per the statement, the priest was also suffering from hypertension and diabetes.

Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Yogi Adityanath In his condolence message said the elderly priest's death was  marked as AN IRREPARABLE LOSS.

Earlier, on January 11, Acharya Satyendra Das celebrated the first anniversary of the Pran Pratishtha ceremony at Ayodhya Temple. He called the celebrations VERY BEAUTIFUL.

Who Was Acharya Satyendra Das?

Acharya Satyendra Das was a prominent  Hindu priest and the head priest of the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Ayodhya. 

He had been serving as the chief priest of the Ram temple even before the Babri Masjid was demolished on December 6, 1992.

He was a member of the Nirvani Akhara and dedicated his life to spirituality from the age of 20.

Acharya Satyendra Das was one of the most approachable priests in Ayodhya. Many journalists often spoke to him to get his views on Ayodhya and matters related to the Ram temple.

He was also one of the first Hindu priests to oppose a petition that called for banning ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness) in Bangladesh.