Hindu spiritual leader Pramukh Swami dies at 94

Reno, Nev. (Aug. 13, 2016) — Hindu spiritual leader His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj passed away the evening Aug. 13, 2016 in Gujarat, India. He was 94.

Rajan Zed, president of the Universal Society of Hinduism based in Reno, Nev, said in a statement Saturday that Hindus are saddened with the passing of Pramukh Swami, who was the spiritual head of Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha, a socio-spiritual Hindu organization with its roots in the Vedas.

“With Pramukh Swami’s death, the world had lost an ideal sadhu and spiritual guide who promoted moral and spiritual living, undertook various humanitarian and charitable causes and worked for spiritual upliftment,” Zed said. “Pramukh Swami worked for interfaith cooperation with a message of love and peace, stressing harmony through dialogue, and highlighting mutual respect.”

Zed said the widely traveled Pramukh Swami exemplified the ideals of religion with his message of selfless love and displayed a paradigm of humility and selflessness and forgiveness. He also encouraged better understanding and appreciation of Hinduism traditions and was a force behind the construction of hundreds of Hindu temples worldwide. He was an inspiration for the community and mentored many, Zed said.