Ayodhya: Mahant Satyendra Das, the chief priest of the Ram Janmabhoomi temple, passed away on Wednesday. Following his passing, his mortal remains were submerged in the Saryu River on Thursday in accordance with his religious practice of Jal Samadhi (water burial). Before the final rites, his body was kept at the Gopal Ashram.
The funeral procession saw a large number of sadhus and Ram devotees in attendance, honoring the late priest. Mahant Satyendra Das, 85, had been admitted to the Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences in Lucknow on February 3, after suffering a brain stroke.
#WATCH | Acharya Satyendra Das, the chief priest of Ayodhya Ram temple, who passed away yesterday, given 'Jal Samadhi' in Saryu river in UP's Ayodhya pic.twitter.com/zrYkaLZUrT
— ANI (@ANI) February 13, 2025
Known for his prominent role as the chief priest during the demolition of the Babri Masjid on December 6, 1992, Mahant Satyendra Das had taken sanyas vows at the age of 20.
In a notable show of solidarity, Iqbal Ansari, the former advocate for the Babri Masjid, participated in the funeral procession, guiding the vehicle carrying the priest’s body. He reflected on the unity that existed between them during their lifetimes.