Various political leaders with spiritual leader Pramukh Swami Maharaj. (Source: Twitter) Various political leaders with spiritual leader Pramukh Swami Maharaj. (Source: Twitter)

As Pramukh Swami Maharaj, spiritual guru and head of Swaminarayan sect, passed away on Saturday evening, political leaders cutting across party lines and other spiritual heads mourned his death by expressing condolences on Twitter. The spiritual leader who is also the head of Bochasanvasi Akshar Purushottam Sansthan (BAPS) died at 95 in Sarangpur after suffering from a lung infection.

The spiritual leader was born as Shantilal Patel in village of Chansad near Vadodara on December 7, 1921. He was just 28 when he was appointed as Pramukh of Bochanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS). He became the spiritual guru of BAPS in 1971 after Yogiji Maharaj passed away.

During his lifetime, he created and consecrated 1,100 temples and giant cultural complexes like Swaminarayan Akshardham in New Delhi and Gandhinagar. In his first overseas tour after becoming guru, consecrated the first BAPS mandir in New York, USA in 1974. At the age of 62, Pramukh Swami suffered a heart attack and later in 1998 he underwent a heart bypass surgery in New York, USA. In 2012, he also got a pacemaker implant at Ahmedabad.

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In the year 2000, he addressed the Millennium World Peace Summit of Spiritual Leaders at the United Nations and in 2004, he was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award from the US government.

HH Pramukh Swami Maharaj was a mentor to me. I will never forget my interactions with him. Will miss his presence. pic.twitter.com/p4lsx65zjY — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 13, 2016

Deeply saddened by the passing of HH Shri Pramukh Swami Maharaj, my guru and the living form of India’s spiritual legacy. — Amit Shah (@AmitShah) August 13, 2016

Deeply saddened by the passing away of HH Pramukh Swami Maharaj. His message of compassion & service will remain an inspiration — Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) August 13, 2016

HH Pramukh Swami Maharaj was a guide for humanity & champion of compassion.His teaching are immortal.My deepest condolences on his Aksharwas — Ahmed Patel (@ahmedpatel) August 13, 2016

Deeply saddened by the demise of His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj. We will always remember him for his wisdom & vision for humanity. — Harsimrat Kaur Badal (@HarsimratBadal_) August 13, 2016

Pramukh Swamiji’s yeoman service to mankind will be remembered for posterity. (1) pic.twitter.com/ydXJ5xSQ6x — Sri Sri Ravi Shankar (@SriSri) August 13, 2016

HH Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s demise is an irreparable loss. He will always be remembered for his humility and vision for humanity. — Smriti Z Irani (@smritiirani) August 13, 2016

Deeply pained to hear passing away of Param Pujya Pramukh Swami Maharaj. It’s irreparable loss to the society as whole. My prayer ! + — Vijay Rupani (@vijayrupanibjp) August 13, 2016

Great Saint/ great religious leader Pa. Pu. Pramukh Swami Maharaj left us today.Whole of the human kind will feel the loss for long time. — ashutosh (@ashutosh83B) August 13, 2016

Memory in B&W: Obtaining blessings from holy saint Pujya Pramukh Swami Maharaj about 25 yrs ago! #जय स्वामी नारायण। pic.twitter.com/7dUt9ktrTd — Parimal Nathwani (@mpparimal) July 31, 2016

In the year 2000, he addressed the Millennium World Peace Summit of Spiritual Leaders at the United Nations and in 2004, he was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award from the US government.

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