Acharya Satendra Kumar Das, the chief priest of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, passed away at the age of 85. He was admitted to the Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences (SGPGI) earlier this month after suffering a brain stroke. The hospital confirmed that he breathed his last today while undergoing treatment in the High Dependency Unit (HDU) of the neurology ward.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed grief over his demise, calling it an “irreparable loss to the spiritual world.” Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak also offered condolences, praying for strength for his followers.
A revered figure in Ayodhya, Das took sanyas at the age of 20 and was serving as a priest during the demolition of the Babri Masjid in 1992. He later became the chief priest of the makeshift Ram Lalla temple when the government took control of the site.
Remembering his contributions, Ram Temple Trust president Champat Rai noted that Das had accepted a nominal remuneration of Rs 100 when appointed as the chief priest. Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) spokesperson Sharad Sharma described him as a widely respected figure who had deep knowledge of the Ayodhya movement’s history.
Das, who belonged to the Nirvani Akhara, was one of the most accessible saints of Ayodhya and a key source of information on the Ram temple for the media. His passing marks the end of an era in the Ayodhya temple movement.
