Obituaries from 2001 - 2006

16th January 2001: Swami Tirthananda (Gunamani Maharaj) : Announced to the Public in February 2001

Swami Tirthananda (Gunamani Maharaj), aged 82, passed away on 16th January 2001 at 7.45 a.m. at Varanasi Advaita Ashrama owing to sudden cardiac arrest. He had been suffering from high blood pressure and diabetes. Initiated by Srimat Swami Vijnanananda ji Maharaj, he joined the Order at Saradapitha, Belur, in 1948 and had sannyasa from Swami Shankarananda ji Maharaj in 1956. Besides his joining centre, he served at Belur Math and Bhubaneswar centre. He was the head of Patna and Baranagore centres and Acharya of Training Centre. He had been leading a retired life for about two decades, first at Belur Math and then at Varanasi. The Swami was well-versed in scriptures and was affectionate and polite by nature.

22nd January 2001: Swami Jaganmayananda ji (Gaur Maharaj) : Announced to the Public in February 2001

Swami Jaganmayananda ji (Gaur Maharaj) expired on 22nd January 2001 at 5.15 a.m. at Varanasi Home of Service owing to massive brain haemorrhage. He was 86. He had been suffering from diabetes, heart disease and other old-age ailments for the last several years. Initiated by Srimat Swami Vijnanananda ji Maharaj, he joined the Order at Faridpur Ashrama in 1935 and had sannyasa from Swami Virajananda ji Maharaj in 1944. Besides his joining centre, he served at Belur Math and the centres at Barisal, Delhi, Srinagar, Katihar, Allahabad, Mumbai, Ranchi (Sanatorium) and Varanasi (Home of Service). He was a sevak of Swami Virajananda ji Maharaj for about seven years. He had been leading a retired life at Varanasi for the last 14 years. Austere by nature, the Swami was hard-working and affectionate in his dealings.

25th January 2001: Swami Sthitatmananda ji (Venkatakrishna Maharaj) : Announced to the Public in February 2001

Swami Sthitatmananda ji (Venkatakrishna Maharaj), aged 85, died on 25th January 2001 at 10.45 p.m. at Seva Pratishthan owing to heart disease. He had been suffering from diabetes and kidney problem for some years. Initiated by Swami Virajananda ji Maharaj, he joined the Order at Belur Math in 1940 and had sannyasa from his guru in 1949. Besides Belur Math, he served at Karachi, Chennai Math, Seva Pratishthan, Ranchi Sanatorium, Patna, Chennai Students' Home, Mumbai, Salem, Vrindaban, Ramharipur and Bhubaneswar centres. He had been leading a retired life for about 10 years, first at Ulsoor Ashrama and then at Belur Math. Kind-hearted and hard-working, the Swami was loved by all for his amiable nature.

31st January 2001: Swami Shuklananda (Kalidas) : Announced to the Public in February 2001

Swami Shuklananda (Kalidas) expired on 31st January 2001 at 7.05 p.m. at Varanasi Home of Service. He was 73. He had been suffering from heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and other old-age ailments for some years. Initiated by Swami Virajananda ji Maharaj, he joined the Order at Vrindaban Ashrama in 1951 and had sannyasa from Swami Shankarananda ji Maharaj in 1959. Besides his joining centre, he served at Belur Math and Jalpaiguri, Seva Pratishthan, Varanasi Home of Service, Bhubaneswar, Ranchi Sanatorium and Deoghar centres. He was the head of Puri Math for about seven years. He had been leading a retired life for nearly 10 years, first at Deoghar and then at Varanasi. The Swami was genial by nature.

2nd February 2001: Swami Diptyananda ji (Dinesh Maharaj) : Announced to the Public in March 2001

Swami Diptyananda ji (Dinesh Maharaj) passed away on 2nd February 2001 at 6.30 a.m. at Varanasi Home of Service hospital. He was 90. He had been suffering from heart disease (high blood pressure with sinus bradycardia) for the last several years. Initiated by Swami Virajananda ji Maharaj, he joined the Order at Sylhet Ashrama in 1940 and had sannyasa from Swami Shankarananda ji Maharaj in 1952. Besides his joining centre, he served at Belur Math and the centres at Sargachhi, Shillong, Rajkot, Almora, Mumbai, Jamshedpur, Deoghar, Patna and Varanasi (Advaita Ashrama). He also did flood relief work in Tripura in 1976-77. He had been leading a retired life at Varanasi for about two decades.

28th February 2001: Swami Vishwapranananda ji (Sumanta Maharaj) : Announced to the Public in March 2001

Swami Vishwapranananda ji (Sumanta Maharaj), aged 90, expired on 28th February 2001 at 11.30 p.m. at Seva Pratishthan. He had been suffering from dementia and prostate enlargement for some years. An initiated disciple of Srimat Swami Akhandananda ji Maharaj, he joined the Order at Sargachhi Ashrama in 1935 and had sannyasa from Swami Virajananda ji Maharaj in 1944. Besides his joining centre he served at Belur Math and Malda and Garbeta centres. He was the head of Garbeta centre for 11 years till 1982. Since then he had been leading a retired life at Belur Math.

11th March 2001: Swami Janardanananda ji (Yajneswar Maharaj) : Announced to the Public in April 2001

We are sorry to announce the passing away of Swami Janardanananda ji (Yajneswar Maharaj) on 11th March 2001 at 11.45 p.m. at Varanasi Advaita Ashrama. He was 91. He had been suffering from bronchial asthma for a long time and was confined to bed for about two years. Initiated by Srimat Swami Vijnanananda ji Maharaj, he joined the Order at Silchar Ashrama in 1938 and had sannyasa from Swami Virajananda ji Maharaj in 1948. Besides his joining centre, he served at Vrindaban, Kankhal and Garbeta centres. He had been leading a retired life for the last two decades, first at Belur Math, then at Puri Math and finally at Varanasi Advaita Ashrama. The Swami was loved by all for his austere habits and amiable nature.

5th May 2001: Swami Chidbhasananda (Anil) : Announced to the Public in June 2001

Swami Chidbhasananda (Anil) passed away on 5th May 2001 at 12.50 a.m. at Seva Pratishthan. He was 68. He had been suffering from kidney failure and diabetes and was admitted to the hospital in July last year. Earlier, he had undergone by-pass surgery for heart in Netherlands. Initiated by Swami Yatiswarananda ji Maharaj, he joined the Order at Nagpur Math in 1963 and had sannyasa from Swami Vireswarananda ji Maharaj in 1973. Besides his joining centre, he served at Calcutta Advaita Ashrama and the Law Department of Headquarters. He was the founder Minister-in-Charge of the Netherlands centre. Simple and unassuming, the Swami endeared himself to one and all.

6th May 2001: Swami Nishthananda ji (Manohar Maharaj) : Announced to the Public in June 2001

Swami Nishthananda ji (Manohar Maharaj), aged 88, expired on 6th May 2001 at 11.00 a.m. at Seva Pratishthan owing to cerebro-vascular accident. He had been suffering from heart disease and high blood pressure for the last several years. An initiated disciple of Srimat Swami Shivananda ji Maharaj, he joined the Order at Jahndi (Faridpur) Ashrama in 1937 and had sannyasa from Swami Shankarananda ji Maharaj in 1955. Besides his joining centre he served at Belur Math and Bagerhat, Contai, Habiganj, Bhubaneswar, Gadadhar Ashrama, Ranchi Morabadi Ashrama, Jalpaiguri, Tamluk, Jamtara and Jayrambati centres. He also did relief work in Ranchi and Orissa in 1967-68. He had been leading a retired life at Belur Math for more than two decades. The Swami was simple and austere by nature.

18th May 2001: Swami Hiranmayananda ji (Vijayananda Maharaj) : Announced to the Public in June 2001

Swami Hiranmayananda ji (Vijayananda Maharaj) passed away on 18th May 2001 at 10.55 p.m. at Belur Math. He was 92. For nearly a year, he had been suffering from advanced colon cancer and various old-age ailments. Initiated in 1929 by Srimat Swami Shivananda ji Maharaj, he joined the Order at Belur Math in 1933 and had sannyasa from Swami Virajananda ji Maharaj in 1943. He was elected a Trustee of the Ramakrishna Math and Member of the Governing Body of Ramakrishna Mission in 1973, and served as General Secretary of the Order from April 1985 to February 1989. Apart from serving as head of Rangoon Sevashrama, Deoghar, Vrindaban, Baghbazar, Bombay and Delhi centres, he was the founder Secretary of Purulia Vidyapith and also served in various capacities at Bhubaneswar, Madras Math, Institute of Culture (Calcutta), and Mysore centres. A scholar with wide interests, he was well-read in Sanskrit, Bengali and English literature. He also authored a few books which have been well received by the public. Well known for his large heart and open mind, he showed active interest in all matters concerning Ramakrishna Math and Mission till the end of his life.

20th May 2001: Swami Chandrananda ji (Chandan Maharaj) : Announced to the Public in June 2001

Swami Chandrananda ji (Chandan Maharaj), Head of Patna centre, expired on 20th May 2001 at 10.10 a.m. at Seva Pratishthan. He was 79. Following a road accident he was admitted to Seva Pratishthan on 28th March and had recovered from the injuries to a great extent. However, later he developed hepatitis and succumbed to fulminating hepatic failure. Initiated by Swami Virajananda ji Maharaj, he joined the Order at Deoghar Vidyapith in 1943 and had sannyasa from Swami Shankarananda ji Maharaj in 1957. Apart from serving as head of Purulia, Asansol, Deoghar and Patna centres, he served at Belur Math, Institute of Culture (Calcutta), Rangoon Society and Cherrapunji, Katihar and Bombay centres in various capacities. Cheerful and amiable, the Swami was loved by all.

21st June 2001: Swami Kshantyananda ji (Nishikanta Maharaj) : Announced to the Public in July 2001

Swami Kshantyananda ji (Nishikanta Maharaj), Head of Silchar Ashrama, passed away on 21st June 2001 at 5.50 a.m. at Silchar Ashrama. He was 78. He had been suffering from cancer (Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma) for the last 1½ years. Initiated by Swami Virajananda ji Maharaj, he joined the Order at Belur Math in 1942 and had sannyasa from Swami Shankarananda ji Maharaj in 1952. Besides serving as head of Silchar Ashrama for 34 years, he served in various capacities at Belur Math and Asansol and Rajkot centres. Simple and unassuming, the Swami was loved and respected by all. His death was spontaneously mourned by thousands of people of Silchar.

24th June 2001: Swami Samatananda (Raghunath) : Announced to the Public in July 2001

Swami Samatananda (Raghunath) of our Agartala centre expired prematurely at the age of 32 at Seva Pratishthan on 24th June 2001 at 9.35 p.m. owing to falciparum (malignant) malaria with multi-organ failure. On 24th morning, he had been airlifted from Agartala to Kolkata in a state of coma and was rushed to Seva Pratishthan. But all efforts to save his life failed. An initiated disciple of Swami Gambhirananda ji Maharaj, he joined the Order at Ramharipur centre in 1989 and had sannyasa from Swami Ranganathananda ji Maharaj in 1999. Besides his joining centre, he served at Agartala Ashrama. In him the Order has lost a young, energetic member.

5 November 2001: Swami Sulabhananda ji (Dhiren Maharaj) : Announced to the Public in December 2001

We are sorry to announce the passing away of Swami Sulabhananda ji (Dhiren Maharaj) on 5 November 2001 at 2.20 p.m. at Seva Pratishthan owing to cardiac arrest. He was 87. He had been suffering from high blood pressure and bronchiectasis for several years. Initiated by Swami Virajananda ji Maharaj, he joined the Order at Belur Math in 1942 and had sannyasa from Swami Shankarananda ji Maharaj in 1952. Besides Belur Math, he served at Vrindaban and Bhubaneswar centres. He was a pujari at the main temple of Belur Math for about 27 years. He had been leading a retired life at Belur Math for the last 22 years. Affectionate by nature, the Swami was known for doing his work meticulously and with a fine taste for orderliness and beauty.

16 December 2001 : Swami Amoghananda ji (Karamabayya Maharaj) : Announced to the Public in February 2002

Swami Amoghananda ji (Karamabayya Maharaj), aged 89, passed away on 16 December 2001 at 4.00 a.m. at Kankhal Sevashrama hospital. He had been suffering from diabetes, hypertension, nephropathy and other old-age ailments for several years and was admitted to the hospital four years ago. Initiated by Srimat Swami Shivananda ji Maharaj, he joined the Order at Belur Math in 1933 and had sannyasa from Swami Virajananda ji Maharaj in 1942. Besides Belur Math, he served at Asansol, Rangoon Sevashrama, Saradapitha, Sargachhi, Mayavati, Delhi, Ranchi Sanatorium and Kankhal centres. He also did relief work at Surat (Gujarat) in 1968-69, Srikakulam (Andhra Pradesh) in 1981 and Bikaner (Rajasthan) in 1987. He had been leading a retired life at Kankhal centre for the last 13 years. The Swami was well known for his hard work, wit and cheerful temperament.

3 January 2002 : Swami Ganananda ji (Narayan Maharaj) : Announced to the Public in February 2002

Swami Ganananda ji (Narayan Maharaj), breathed his last at Kalady Ashrama on 3 January 2002 at 8.30 p.m. He was 87. Apart from some minor ailments relating to old age, he had no major disease. Around 8 o’clock he felt acute stomach pain and started repeating loudly the names of Sri Ramakrishna and the Holy Mother. After a while his pulse rate started declining, and he passed away peacefully within half an hour. An initiated disciple of Swami Virajananda ji Maharaj, he joined the Order at Kalady Ashrama in 1937 and had sannyasa from Swami Shankarananda ji Maharaj in 1952. Besides his joining centre, he served at Chennai Math, Tiruvalla and Thrissur centres. He was the head of Kalady centre for 32 years and had been leading a retired life there for the last four years. Affable and austere by nature, the Swami was widely loved and respected.

28 January 2002 : Swami Gargananda (Shivashankar) : Announced to the Public in February 2002

Swami Gargananda (Shivashankar), aged 71, passed away on 28 January 2002 at 1.35 a.m. at Seva Pratishthan owing to cancer (unknown primary carcinoma with secondary metastases). He was admitted to the hospital two months ago. Initiated by Swami Shankarananda ji Maharaj, he joined the Order at Calcutta Students’ Home in 1952 and had sannyasa from his Guru in 1961. Besides his joining centre, he served at Belur Math and Baghbazar, Deoghar, Purulia, Puri (Mission), Ramharipur, Bhubaneswar, Contai, Gadadhar Ashrama and Kankurgachhi centres. He also did relief work in Sundarbans (West Bengal) in 1952. Simple by nature, the Swami was well-versed in Sanskrit and composed many Sanskrit hymns on Sri Ramakrishna, Holy Mother and Swamiji. He also composed some Bengali songs and plays. He was enthusiastic in all activities he undertook, both indoor and outdoor.

5 February 2002 : Swami Yajnananda ji (Mahimaranjan Maharaj) : Announced to the Public in March 2002

Swami Yajnananda ji (Mahimaranjan Maharaj), aged 90, on 5 February 2002 at 1.30 pm at Sarisha Ashrama, owing to liver cancer. Initiated by Srimat Swami Shivananda ji Maharaj in 1931, he joined the Order at Sarisha Ashrama in 1944 and had sannyasa from Swami Shankarananda ji Maharaj in 1953. He served at his joining centre in various capacities till 1973 and then as its head for 27 years. He had been leading a retired life at the Ashrama for the last 1½ years. The Swami was known for his simple and affectionate nature. His death was deeply mourned by thousands of people of Sarisha and nearby places.

1 April 2002 : Swami Jagadishananda (Prabhat) : Announced to the Public in April 2002

Swami Jagadishananda (Prabhat), Head of Kishanpur Ashrama, passed away on 1 April 2002 at 1.05 a.m. at Kishanpur Ashrama owing to cardio-pulmonary arrest. He was 61. Although he had been suffering from hyper-acidity, lung infection and related problems for the last few days, he was doing his work in the normal way and the end was quite unexpected. An initiated disciple of Swami Madhavananda ji Maharaj, he joined the Order in 1966 at New Delhi centre and had sannyasa from Swami Vireswarananda ji Maharaj in 1975. Besides his joining centre he served at Narendrapur, Tamluk and Singapore centres. He served at Kishanpur centre as a monastic worker for seven years and then as its Head for about four years. The Swami was known for his simple, affectionate and sweet nature, and his untimely death has shocked all those who knew him closely.

1 May 2002 : Br. Titikshachaitanya (Rabin) : Announced to the Public in May 2002

We are sorry to announce the untimely death of Br. Titikshachaitanya (Rabin) at Seva Pratishthan on 1 May 2002 at 5.15 am owing to aspiration pneumonia following epilepsy. He was 33. He was admitted to the hospital on the previous day with the complaints of headache and epileptic fits. Two years ago he had been diagnosed as having a benign tumor in the brain, for which he was operated on at Apollo Hospital, Chennai, in July 2000. However, after a week, there was a small internal bleeding, because of which his speech power was greatly affected. The subsequent therapy could not produce much result.

An initiated disciple of Swami Bhuteshananda ji Maharaj, he joined the Order at Ranchi Morabadi Ashrama in 1991 and had Brahmacharya from his Guru in 1997. Besides his joining centre, he served at Asansol, Chandipur and Manasadwip centres. He had been staying at Belur Math for the last one year. He was simple and cheerful by nature. In him the Order has lost a young, active and promising member.

2 May 2002 : Swami Bhavaghanananda (Satyavrata) : Announced to the Public in June 2002

Swami Bhavaghanananda (Satyavrata) passed away at Seva Pratishthan on 2 May 2002 at 5.15 am owing to colon cancer at the age of 78. An initiated disciple of Swami Virajananda ji Maharaj, he joined the Order at the Institute of Culture, Kolkata, in 1956 and had Sannyasa from Swami Vireswarananda ji Maharaj in 1968. Besides his joining centre, he served at Saradapitha, Taki, Rahara and Contai centres. He was known for his erudition and served as an Acharya at the Probationers’ Training Centre, Belur Math, for nearly three decades. He had been leading a retired life at Belur Math for the last three years. Austere and unassuming, the Swami was a scholar and well known for his punctilious habits and unsophisticated nature.

19 May 2002 : Swami Ajatananda (Nityananda) : Announced to the Public in June 2002

Swami Ajatananda (Nityananda), aged 79, expired at Varanasi Home of Service on 19 May 2002 at 4.55 pm owing to cardio-respiratory failure. He was admitted to the hospital two days ago in a semiconscious state with high fever and hypertension. An initiated disciple of Swami Akhandananda ji Maharaj, he joined the Order at Belur Math in 1953 and had Sannyasa from Swami Shankarananda ji Maharaj in 1961. Besides Belur Math, he served at Saradapitha and Varanasi Home of Service. The Swami was austere in his habits and had a loving nature.

20 June 2002 : Swami Aptananda (Sushanta of Shyamla Tal) : Announced to the Public in July 2002

Swami Aptananda (Sushanta of Shyamla Tal) passed away at our Mumbai hospital on 20 June 2002, the sacred Ganga Puja day, at 4.25 pm owing to metastatic lymphoma (a type of cancer). He was 37. In October last year he came to our Lucknow hospital with complaints of pain in and around right hip. Investigations revealed marked destruction of pelvic bone. Further investigations in Hinduja Hospital, Mumbai, revealed a malignant tumour. He had to undergo a supra-major surgery in November causing removal of half of the pelvis and the head of the right femur. After the operation he was kept at the Hinduja Hospital for several months and was finally shifted to our hospital in Mumbai. Unfortunately, his condition steadily deteriorated and the end came rather peacefully on the 20th of June.

An initiated disciple of Swami Bhuteshananda ji Maharaj, he joined the Order at Garbeta Ashrama in 1990 and had sannyasa from Swami Ranganathananda ji Maharaj in 2000. Besides his joining centre, he served at Rahara and Shyamla Tal centres. Cheerful by nature, the Swami was an accomplished artist and enjoyed drawing beautiful sketches even while suffering excruciating pain in bed at the hospital. In him the Order has lost a young, talented and hard-working member.

30 July 2002 : Swami Nirjarananda ji (Mohit Maharaj) : Announced to the Public in August 2002

Swami Nirjarananda ji (Mohit Maharaj) passed away on 30 July 2002 at 7.05 a.m. at Seva Pratishthan owing to septicemia. He was 86. He had been suffering from diabetes, hypertension and kidney problem for several years and was admitted to the hospital on 22 July. Initiated by Srimat Swami Akhandananda ji Maharaj, he joined the Order at Belur Math in 1938 and had sannyasa from Swami Virajananda ji Maharaj in 1947. Besides Belur Math, he served, as a monastic worker, at the Institute of Culture (Calcutta), Advaita Ashrama (Mayavati and its Calcutta branch), Cherrapunji and Jayrambati centres and, as head of the centre, at Dhaka, Baranagore, Kamarpukur, Baghbazar, Kankurgachhi and Cossipore Ashramas. He also did Assam evacuee relief work in 1960. He had been leading a retired life at Belur Math for the last one year. Affectionate and calm and quiet by nature, the Swami was loved and respected by all who came in contact with him.

10 August 2002 : Swami Avimuktananda ji (Bhandarkar / Srinivasa Maharaj) : Announced to the Public in September 2002

Swami Avimuktananda ji (Bhandarkar / Srinivasa Maharaj) passed away on 10 August 2002 at 12.05 am at Sagarlal Memorial Hospital, Hyderabad. He was 87. He was admitted to the hospital three months ago with complaints of weakness of lower limbs and pain in the back. He had been suffering from diabetes for several years. An initiated disciple of Swami Virajananda ji Maharaj, he joined the Order at Mysore Ashrama in 1938 and had Sannyasa from his guru in 1948. Besides his joining centre, he served at Advaita Ashrama (Mayavati and its Calcutta branch), Rajkot, Varanasi Home of Service, Bombay and Hyderabad centres. He was also the head of Vishakhapatnam and Khetri centres. He had been leading a retired life at Hyderabad Math for the last three years. The Swami was hard-working and jovial by nature.

16 August 2002 : Swami Vandyananda ji (Himendu Maharaj) : Announced to the Public in September 2002

Swami Vandyananda ji (Himendu Maharaj), aged 78, expired at Varanasi Home of Service hospital on 16 August 2002 at 3.15 p.m. owing to cardio-respiratory arrest. He was admitted to the hospital 4½ months ago. He had been suffering from heart disease, diabetes and Parkinsonism for the last several years and had a pacemaker implanted in 1995. An initiated disciple of Swami Virajananda ji Maharaj, he joined the Order at Saradapitha, Belur, in 1949 and had Sannyasa from Swami Shankarananda ji Maharaj in 1957. Besides his joining centre, he served at Shillong, Kalimpong (later closed down) and Varanasi (Home of Service) centres. He was also the head of Shyamla Tal Ashrama. He had been leading a retired life at Varanasi Home of Service for the last six years. The Swami was simple and austere by nature.

28 October 2002 : Swami Vishwambharananda ji (Kunju Maharaj) : Announced to the Public in November 2002

Swami Vishwambharananda ji (Kunju Maharaj), aged 98, passed away on 28 October 2002 at about 8.00 am at Thrissur Ashrama after a brief illness. An initiated disciple of Swami Nirmalananda ji Maharaj, he joined the Order at Thiruvananthapuram Ashrama in 1927 and had Sannyasa from his guru the following year. Besides his joining centre, he served at Salem and Thrissur centres. He was also the head of Kanchipuram and Ponnampet centres. He had been leading a retired life at Thrissur Math for the last 38 years. The Swami was well-known for his jovial nature.

29 October 2002 : Swami Vishuddhatmananda ji (Srikanta Maharaj) : Announced to the Public in November 2002

Swami Vishuddhatmananda ji (Srikanta Maharaj) breathed his last at Seva Pratishthan on 29 October 2002 at 7.30 am owing to pneumonia with cerebro-vascular accident. He was 83. He had been suffering from hypertension and other old-age problems for the last several years. An initiated disciple of Swami Virajananda ji Maharaj, he joined the Order at Belur Math in 1940 and had Sannyasa from his guru in 1950. Besides Belur Math, he served at Ranchi (Morabadi), Kankhal, Deoghar, Purulia, Kamarpukur, Vrindaban and Asansol centres. He was the head of Tamluk Ashrama for 24 years. He had been leading a retired life at Belur Math for the last two years. Simple, affectionate and sweet by nature, the Swami endeared himself to all who came in contact with him.

5 January 2003 : Swami Gunamayananda (Bhakta) : Announced to the Public in February 2003

Swami Gunamayananda (Bhakta) passed away at Cossipore Math on 5 January 2003 at 7.00 a.m. owing to a massive heart attack. He was 53. Although he had been suffering from diabetes for a few years, he was active and cheerfully going through his usual routine of work. So his untimely end was quite unexpected. An initiated disciple of Swami Vireswarananda ji Maharaj, he joined the Order in 1969 at Belur Math and had sannyasa from his guru in 1979. Besides Belur Math, he served at Cossipore, Kamarpukur and Kanpur centres. He also did relief work in Uttarkashi for a couple of months in 1991-92. The Swami was simple, guileless and jovial by nature.

3 March 2003 : Swami Aptakamananda ji (Ganapati Maharaj) : Announced to the Public in April 2003

Swami Aptakamananda ji (Ganapati Maharaj) passed away at Seva Pratishthan on 3 March 2003 at 11.50 a.m. He was 93. He had been suffering from hypertension, diabetes and dementia for some years. An initiated disciple of Srimat Swami Shivananda ji Maharaj, he joined the Order at Bhubaneswar Ashrama in 1937 and had sannyasa from Swami Virajananda ji Maharaj in 1946. Besides his joining centre, he served at Belur Math and Taki, Saradapitha, Baghbazar, Ranchi Sanatorium, Puri Mission, Manasadwip, Purulia and Cherrapunji centres. He also served in our relief operations for some months in 1964-65. He was the head of Contai centre for 30 years. He had been leading a retired life for the last five years, first at Contai Ashrama and then at Belur Math Arogya Bhavan. The Swami was austere and hard-working by nature.

30 June 2003 : Swami Arhananda (Lalit Maharaj) : Announced to the Public in July 2003

Swami Arhananda (Lalit Maharaj), aged 73, at Seva Pratishthan on 30 June 2003 at 2-20 a.m., owing to stomach cancer. He had also been suffering from heart disease for some time past and was admitted to the hospital 2½ months ago. Initiated by Swami Virajananda ji Maharaj in 1946, he joined the Order at Varanasi Home of Service in 1950 and had Sannyasa from Swami Shankarananda ji Maharaj in 1959. In 1968 he was transferred from the Home of Service to Saradapitha, Belur, where he served for more than three decades. He had been leading a retired life at Belur Math Arogya Bhavan for the last four years. Simple, affectionate and jovial by nature, the Swami was loved by all who came in contact with him.

3 August 2003 : Swami Siddharthananda (Divyangshu) : Announced to the Public in September 2003

Swami Siddharthananda (Divyangshu), aged 75, passed away on 3 August 2003 at 11.10 p.m. at Varanasi Home of Service. He had been suffering for a long time from high blood pressure and chronic renal failure. Initiated by Swami Shankarananda ji Maharaj, he joined the Order at Advaita Ashrama, Calcutta, in 1955 and had sannyasa from Swami Madhavananda ji Maharaj in 1965. Besides his joining centre, he served at Mayavati, Saradapitha (Belur), Purulia, Bombay and Kankurgachhi centres. He was the head of Along centre for two years. He became head of Japan centre after its affiliation in 1984 and remained in that post for nine years. He had been leading a retired life for the last ten years, first at Belur Math and finally at Varanasi Home of Service. The Swami was gentle and quiet by nature.

8 August 2003 : Swami Dharmadananda (Sukumar) : Announced to the Public in September 2003

Swami Dharmadananda (Sukumar) died on 8 August 2003 at 3.30 p.m. at Seva Pratishthan. He was 72. He had been suffering from diabetes, lung problems and ischemic heart disease for a long time. He had fracture neck femur in May 2003 and was under treatment at Seva Pratishthan. Initiated by Srimat Swami Shankarananda ji Maharaj, he joined the Order at Rahara Boys' Home in 1954 and had sannyasa from Swami Vireswarananda ji Maharaj in 1968. Besides his joining centre, he served at Vrindaban, Almora, Baghbazar, Ranchi Morabadi, Cossipore, Shyamla Tal, Contai, Jamtara, Seva Pratishthan and Tamluk centres. He was also the head of Barasat centre. He had been leading a retired life for the last five years, first at Belur Math and then at Seva Pratishthan. The Swami was known for his hard-working nature.

22 September 2003 : Swami Riddhananda ji (Purna Maharaj) : Announced to the Public in October 2003

Swami Riddhananda ji (Purna Maharaj), Head of Gadadhar Ashrama, Kolkata, passed away on 22 September 2003 at 5.27 p.m. at Seva Pratishthan owing to pulmonary embolism from deep vein thrombosis. He was 82. He had also been suffering from diabetes and ischemic heart disease for some years. Initiated by Swami Virajananda ji Maharaj in 1946, he joined the Order at Saradapitha, Belur, in 1948 and had Sannyasa from Swami Shankarananda ji Maharaj in 1959. Besides his joining centre, he served at Puri Mission and Bombay Ashramas. He was the head of Jalpaiguri centre for 16 years. He was appointed head of Gadadhar Ashrama in 1991 and continued in that post till the end. Simple, austere and hard-working, the Swami was known for his calm and composed behaviour.

12 October 2003 : Swami Skandananda ji (Shibdas Maharaj) : Announced to the Public in November 2003

Swami Skandananda ji (Shibdas Maharaj) passed away on 12 October 2003 at 10.07 a.m. at Calcutta Students' Home, Belgharia. He was 82. He had pulmonary thrombo-embolism three years ago and had also been suffering from Alzheimer's disease and urinary problems. An ex-student of Calcutta Students' Home, he was initiated by Swami Virajananda ji Maharaj in 1940. He joined the Order at the Students' Home in 1942 and had Sannyasa from Swami Shankarananda ji Maharaj in 1953. Besides other miscellaneous jobs, he looked after the kitchen of the Home during his entire active monastic life of 58 years. He had been leading a retired life at the Home for the last three years. Simple, austere and quiet by nature, the Swami had motherly concern for all.

5 November 2003 : Swami Sutirthananda ji (Paritosh Maharaj) : Announced to the Public in December 2003

Swami Sutirthananda ji (Paritosh Maharaj) passed away on 5 November 2003, the sacred birthday of Srimat Swami Subodhananda ji Maharaj, at about 3.00 p.m. at Belur Math. He was 86. An initiated disciple of Srimat Swami Vijnanananda ji Maharaj, he joined the Order at Chandipur Math in 1938 and had sannyasa from Swami Virajananda ji Maharaj in 1948. Besides his joining centre, he served at Midnapore, Calcutta Advaita Ashrama, Varanasi Advaita Ashrama, Baghbazar, Kamarpukur, Cossipore and Jayrambati centres. He spent most of his active monastic life of 63 years in doing puja at various centres. He served as a pujari in Holy Mother temple at Belur Math for seven years. He had been leading a retired life at Belur Math Arogya Bhavan for the last two years. The Swami was simple, austere and meticulous by nature.

20 December 2003 : Swami Buddhatmananda (Jiban) : Announced to the Public in January 2004

Swami Buddhatmananda (Jiban) passed away on 20 December 2003 at about 3.20 p.m. at Belur Math owing to gall bladder cancer. He was 69. An initiated disciple of Swami Madhavananda ji Maharaj, he joined the Order at Kamarpukur centre in 1963 and had sannyasa from Swami Vireswarananda ji Maharaj in 1974. Besides his joining centre, he served at Belur Math and Kankurgachhi, Kankhal, Vrindaban, Varanasi Advaita Ashrama, Ranchi Sanatorium and Shyamla Tal centres. He had been leading a retired life at Belur Math Arogya Bhavan for the last three years. The Swami was simple, austere and jovial by nature.We are sorry to announce the passing away of three of our brother-monks during the last month.

1 January 2004 : Swami Maitrananda ji (Ram Maharaj) : Announced to the Public in February 2004

Swami Maitrananda ji (Ram Maharaj) passed away on 1 January 2004 at 12.25 p.m. at our Thrissur hospital owing to stroke. He was 84. An initiated disciple of Swami Virajananda ji Maharaj, he joined the Order at Chennai Math in 1945 and had sannyasa from Swami Shankarananda ji Maharaj in 1957. Besides his joining centre, he served at Belur Math and Rangoon (Sevashrama), Varanasi (Home of Service), Kalady, Thiruvananthapuram and Thrissur centres. He had been leading a retired life for the last 16 years, first at Thiruvananthapuram Ashrama and finally at Thrissur Math. The Swami was well versed in the Shastras and had a sharp analytical faculty. Although apparently rough in his outward behaviour, he had a loving heart.

4 January 2004 : Swami Sugatananda ji (Sudhendu Maharaj) : Announced to the Public in February 2004

Swami Sugatananda ji (Sudhendu Maharaj) passed away on 4 January 2004 at 9.50 p.m. at Seva Pratishthan owing to pneumonia. He was 88. Initiated by Srimat Swami Abhedananda ji Maharaj, he joined the Order at Belur Math in 1942 and had sannyasa from Swami Shankarananda ji Maharaj in 1953. He served at Patna and Rajkot centres for 5 years and at Rahara Boys' Home for 46 years till 1993. Thereafter, he had been leading a retired life at Rahara centre. The Swami was austere and hardworking by nature.

26 January 2004 : Br. Apurvachaitanya (Manimaran) : Announced to the Public in February 2004

Br. Apurvachaitanya (Manimaran) passed away untimely and unexpectedly at Malaysia centre in the morning hours of 26 January 2004, the sacred Saraswati Puja day, owing to a massive heart attack. He had been suffering from severe asthma for some years. He was 39. An initiated disciple of Swami Gahanananda ji Maharaj, he joined the Order at Singapore centre in 1996 and received Brahmacharya vows from Swami Ranganathananda ji Maharaj in 2001. Besides his joining centre, he served at Malaysia Ashrama. He was conversant with various types of work. In spite of frequent bouts of asthma, he used to engage himself tirelessly in various activities concerning the maintenance of the Ashrama. In him the Order has lost a young, dedicated and hard-working member.

10 February 2004 : Swami Prathamananda (Priti Maharaj) : Announced to the Public in March 2004

Swami Prathamananda (Priti Maharaj) passed away on 10 February 2004 at 2.58 a.m. at Seva Pratishthan owing to left ventricular failure (heart disease). He was 73. He had also been suffering from diabetes and other old-age problems. An initiated disciple of Swami Virajananda ji Maharaj, he joined the Order at Karimganj centre in 1951 and had sannyasa from Swami Shankarananda ji Maharaj in 1961. Besides his joining centre, he served at Saradapitha and Seva Pratishthan centres. He was the Head of Itanagar centre for more than two decades. The rehabilitation projects executed by him at Surat (Gujarat), Maner (Bihar), Panisagar (Tripura) and Puligadda / Divi Seema (Andhra Pradesh) during 1970s are appreciated by many even now. He had been leading a retired life at Belur Math for the last two years. The swami could sing fairly well. Affectionate, jovial and hardworking by nature, he endeared himself to all who came in contact with him.

18 February 2004 : Swami Bhavatitananda (Manik Maharaj) : Announced to the Public in March 2004

Swami Bhavatitananda (Manik Maharaj) died owing to heart attack at Belur Math at 10.50 a.m. on 18 February 2004, the sacred Shiva Chaturdashi day. He was 77. Initiated by Srimat Swami Vijnanananda ji Maharaj, he joined the Order at Belur Math in 1955 and had sannyasa from Swami Vireswarananda ji Maharaj in 1968. Besides Belur Math, he served at Tamluk, Mumbai, Varanasi Advaita Ashrama, Kankurgachhi and Garbeta centres. He had been leading a retired life at Arogya Bhavan, Belur Math, for the last 15 years. The Swami was affable and hardworking by nature.

24 February 2004 : Swami Sukshmananda ji (Naren Maharaj) : Announced to the Public in March 2004

Swami Sukshmananda ji (Naren Maharaj) expired on 24 February 2004 at 11.15 p.m. at Seva Pratishthan owing to kidney failure. He was 94. An initiated disciple of Srimat Swami Shivananda ji Maharaj, he joined the Order at Dhaka centre in 1947 and had sannyasa from Swami Shankarananda ji Maharaj in 1957. Besides his joining centre, he served at Belur Math and Jayrambati and Karimganj centres. He was also the head of Dhaka and Sylhet centres. He had been leading a retired life for the last 23 years, first at Karimganj and then at Belur Math. Quiet and jovial by nature, the Swami was loved and respected for his sadhu qualities.

27 February 2004 : Swami Gopinathananda ji (Nitai Maharaj) : Announced to the Public in March 2004

Swami Gopinathananda ji (Nitai Maharaj) passed away on 27 February 2004 at 1.40 a.m. at Seva Pratishthan owing to ischaemic heart disease and pneumonia. He was 85. Initiated by Swami Virajananda ji Maharaj, he joined the Order at Vrindaban centre in 1940 and had sannyasa from his guru in 1950. Besides his joining centre, he served at Kankhal Sevashrama and Varanasi Home of Service. He was also a sevak of Swami Atulananda ji Maharaj at Barlowganj for some months. He had been leading a retired life at Arogya Bhavan, Belur Math, for the last 17 years. Simple and hardworking, the Swami was loved by all for his affectionate and cheerful nature.

9 March 2004 : Swami Jyotirananda ji (Pankaj Maharaj) : Announced to the Public in April 2004

Swami Jyotirananda ji (Pankaj Maharaj) passed away on 9 March 2004 at 5.30 a.m. at Belur Math owing to heart failure. He was 84. He had also been suffering from diabetes and kidney problem, and was bedridden for the last few years. An initiated disciple of Swami Virajananda ji Maharaj, he joined the Order at Belur Math in 1950 and had sannyasa from Swami Shankarananda ji Maharaj in 1959. Besides Belur Math, he served at Vrindaban, Shillong, Mayavati and Rahara centres. A qualified physician, he served at Belur Math dispensary with great dedication for several years. He had been leading a retired life at Belur Math for the last 20 years. The Swami was guileless, unassuming and diligent by nature.

16 March 2004 : Swami Akhilatmananda (Bijan) : Announced to the Public in April 2004

Swami Akhilatmananda (Bijan) expired on 16 March 2004 at 6.40 a.m. at Belur Math owing to a massive heart attack. He was 76. He had been suffering from diabetes, hypertension, ischaemic heart disease and severe anaemia. An initiated disciple of Swami Shankarananda ji Maharaj, he joined the Order at Jamshedpur centre in 1955 and had sannyasa from Swami Madhavananda ji Maharaj in 1964. He was the head of Jamshedpur centre from 1995 to 2003. He served at his joining centre throughout his active monastic life. He had been leading a retired life for the last three months, first at Jamshedpur and finally at Belur Math. The end came most unexpectedly. The Swami was hardworking, self-denying and amiable by nature.

11 May 2004 : Swami Siddhinathananda ji (Narayan Maharaj) : Announced to the Public in June 2004

Swami Siddhinathananda ji (Narayan Maharaj) passed away peacefully at Kozhikode (Calicut) centre on 11 May 2004 at 8.45 a.m. He was 86. An initiated disciple of Swami Virajananda ji Maharaj, he joined the Order at Thrissur Math in 1937. He studied at Bangalore Vedanta College from 1939 to 1941 and had sannyasa from his guru in 1948. Besides his joining centre, he served at Belur Math and Thiruvananthapuram, Chennai Math, Nattarampalli, Kanchipuram and Kalady centres. He was the head of Kozhikode centre for about 17 years and had been leading a retired life there for the last six years. Austere by nature, the Swami was well versed in the scriptures and has a large number of books in Malayalam (both original and translations) to his credit, the most important of them being his translation of Sri Ramakrishna Kathamrita.

19 May 2004 : Swami Nirlepananda (Vidyadhar) : Announced to the Public in June 2004

Swami Nirlepananda (Vidyadhar) passed away at Deoghar Vidyapith on 19 May 2004 at 1.05 p.m. He was 68. He had been suffering from chronic obstructive bronchitis and Parkinson's disease. An initiated disciple of Swami Madhavananda ji Maharaj, he joined the Order at Chennai Math in 1963 and had sannyasa from Swami Vireswarananda ji Maharaj in 1973. Besides his joining centre, he served at Belur Math and Ranchi Morabadi, Delhi, Patna, Chennai Mission Ashrama, Mumbai, Rajahmundry and Deoghar centres. He had been leading a retired life at Deoghar Vidyapith for the last seven years. The Swami was quiet and austere by nature.

2 June 2004 : Swami Mahananda ji (Sitangshu Maharaj) : Announced to the Public in July 2004

Swami Mahananda ji (Sitangshu Maharaj) passed away at Varanasi Home of Service on 2 June 2004 at 10.30 a.m., owing to cardiac arrest. He was 87. He had been suffering from high blood pressure, breathlessness and diabetes. An initiated disciple of Swami Virajananda ji Maharaj, he joined the Order at Dinajpur in 1945 and had sannyasa from Swami Shankarananda ji Maharaj in 1956. Besides his joining centre, he served at Belur Math as well as Saradapitha (Belur), Advaita Ashrama (both at Mayavati and Kolkata), Cherrapunji, Baghbazar, Institute of Culture (Kolkata), Bankura, and Jayrambati centres. He was a sevak of Swami Virajananda ji Maharaj for about 10 months. He did drought relief at Hindol (Dhenkanal dist., Orissa) in 1968 and flood relief in Assam in 1977. He was also the head of Ramharipur, Patna and Baranagar Mission centres. He had been leading a retired life at Varanasi Home of Service for the last 21 years. Energetic and enthusiastic by nature, the Swami was a good speaker and was conversant with various types of work. He was also a good writer and has several articles to his credit.

16 August 2004 : Swami Anirvanananda (Bisweswar) : Announced to the Public in September 2004

Swami Anirvanananda (Bisweswar) passed away at Thiruvananthapuram Ashrama on 16 August 2004 at 4 a.m. He was 72 and had grown very weak owing to old-age ailments. He passed away quietly in his sleep. Initiated by Swami Shankarananda ji Maharaj, he joined the Order in 1956 at Ranchi Morabadi Ashrama and had sannyasa from Swami Vireswarananda ji Maharaj in 1966. Apart from his joining centre, he served at Belur Math as well as Jalpaiguri, Ramharipur and Jamtara centres. In 1977 he withdrew himself from active life owing to ill health. Since then he had been leading a retired life, first at Belur Math and later at Thiruvananthapuram Ashrama.

30 September 2004 : Swami Vidhanananda (Asitabha) : Announced to the Public in October 2004

Swami Vidhanananda (Asitabha) of Baranagar Mission Ashrama passed away in the early hours of 30 September 2004. He was 52. He had a massive heart attack at about 3 a.m. on the fateful day and was rushed to Seva Pratishthan immediately. However, he passed away on the way to the hospital. An initiated disciple of Swami Nirvanananda ji Maharaj, he joined the Order at Belur Math in 1976 and had Sannyasa from Swami Vireswarananda ji Maharaj in 1985. Besides Belur Math, he served at Ramharipur, Narottam Nagar, Manasadwip and Baranagar (Mission) centres. In him the Order has lost a dedicated and hard-working member.

13 October 2004 : Swami Siddhidananda ji (Hrishikesh Maharaj) : Announced to the Public in October 2004

Swami Siddhidananda ji (Hrishikesh Maharaj) passed away at Seva Pratishthan on 13 October 2004, the sacred Mahalaya day, at 9 pm, owing to bronchopneumonia. He was 88. An initiated disciple of Swami Virajananda ji Maharaj, he joined the Order at Deoghar in 1943 and had sannyasa from Swami Shankarananda ji Maharaj in 1952. Besides his joining centre, he served at Varanasi Advaita Ashrama. He was also the head of Manasadwip and Almora centres. He had been leading a retired life at Belur Math for the last five years. The Swami was austere, gentle and unassuming by nature.

5 November 2004 : Swami Suvimalananda (Kanai) : Announced to the Public in December 2004

Swami Suvimalananda (Kanai) passed away at Varanasi Advaita Ashrama on 5 November 2004 at 12.30 p.m., owing to cardiac arrest. He was 70. An initiated disciple of Swami Vishuddhananda ji Maharaj, he joined the Order at Midnapore centre in 1955 and had sannyasa from Swami Madhavananda ji Maharaj in 1965. Besides his joining centre, he served at our ashramas in Tamluk, Kankhal, Kankurgachhi, Kanpur and Varanasi (Home of Service as well as Advaita Ashrama). He had been leading a retired life at Varanasi Advaita Ashrama for the last five years. The Swami was quiet by nature, with an amicable temperament.

18 December 2004 : Swami Harinathananda (Bidhu) : Announced to the Public in January 2005

We are sorry to announce the untimely death of Swami Harinathananda (Bidhu), aged 42, of our Ramharipur centre. He died at a hospital in Hyderabad on 18 December 2004 at 5 am owing to lung cancer. He had been admitted to Seva Pratishthan nine months ago for the treatment of chest pain and dyspnoea. His illness was subsequently diagnosed as lung cancer. He was sent to Mumbai for further treatment. But that, too, failed. He was then put under homoeopathic treatment at Hyderabad. But since that also did not work, he was admitted to the Hyderabad hospital on 14 December. An initiated disciple of Swami Gambhirananda ji Maharaj, he joined the Order at Kankhal centre in 1987 and had sannyasa from Swami Bhuteshananda ji Maharaj in 1997. Besides his joining centre, he served at Ramharipur centre. The Swami was simple, quiet and unassuming by nature. In him the Order has lost a young and sincere monk.

25 February 2005 : Swami Purushottamananda (Ramachandra) : Announced to the Public in March 2005

Swami Purushottamananda (Ramachandra), head of Belgaum centre, passed away on 25 February 2005 at 6.18 a.m. at a hospital in Bangalore owing to a massive heart attack. He was 73 and had been suffering from diabetes and heart disease for some years. Initiated by Swami Yatiswarananda ji Maharaj, he joined the Order at Bangalore Math in 1960 and had Sannyasa from Swami Vireswarananda ji Maharaj in 1969. He was the head of Ponnampet centre for 7 years and of Belgaum Ashrama for 5 years. He built up the Belgaum centre with great care, ever since it was made a branch of the Ramakrishna Mission. Besides being a good singer, he has authored several books in Kannada. His gentlemanly manners, charismatic personality, and oratorical skill won him a large number of friends and admirers in Karnataka, who deeply mourned his death. In him the Sangha has lost a dedicated and energetic member.

4 March 2005 : Swami Mridananda ji (Krishnan Maharaj) : Announced to the Public in April 2005

Swami Mridananda ji (Krishnan Maharaj) passed away at Thrissur Math on 4 March 2005 at 3.20 pm. He was 90 and had been suffering from high diabetes for the last few years. An initiated disciple of Swami Virajananda ji Maharaj, he joined the Order at Thrissur Math in 1946 and had Sannyasa from Swami Shankarananda ji Maharaj in 1956. Besides his joining centre, he served at Chennai Math and Kalady Ashrama. He was the editor of our Malayalam journal Prabuddhakeralam for several years, and was the head of Thrissur Math from 1987 to 1997. Since relinquishing headship, he had been living a quiet life of retirement at Thrissur Math. The Swami was a well-known Sanskrit scholar and could write and speak well in both Malayalam and Sanskrit. His works include translations of the Bhagavad Gita, ten Upanishads, the Brahmasutras, and a number of other scriptures into Malayalam. He was simple, austere and unassuming by nature.

4 April 2005 : Swami Keshavananda ji (Nanigopal Maharaj) : Announced to the Public in May 2005

Swami Keshavananda ji (Nanigopal Maharaj) passed away on 4 April 2005 at 4.50 am at Kankhal Sevashrama owing to a massive heart attack. He was 88. An initiated disciple of Swami Virajananda ji Maharaj, he joined the Order at Shillong centre in 1938 and had Sannyasa from his guru in 1947. Besides his joining centre, he served at Rangoon Sevashrama, Chennai Math, Vrindaban, Matri Bhavan (Kolkata), Jamshedpur, Mysore, Saradapitha (Belur) and Belur Math. He had been leading a retired life at Kankhal Sevashrama for the last 13 years. The Swami was quiet and austere by nature.

5 April 2005 : Swami Chidghanananda ji (Ramamurthy Maharaj) : Announced to the Public in May 2005

Swami Chidghanananda ji (Ramamurthy Maharaj) passed away at Varanasi Home of Service hospital on 5 April 2005 at 4 pm. He was 75 and had been suffering from respiratory and cardiac problems for a long time. An initiated disciple of Swami Shankarananda ji Maharaj, he joined the Order at Chennai Math in 1949 and had Sannyasa from his guru in 1959. Besides his joining centre, he served at Rangoon Society, Ootacamund, Colombo and Salem centres. He was the head of Madurai centre for 13 years. He had been leading a retired life at Varanasi Advaita Ashrama for the last three years. The Swami was simple, jovial and austere by nature.

25 April 2005 Swami Ranganathananda ji Maharaj : Announced to the Public in May 2005

The sad news of the Mahasamadhi of our dear and Revered President, Srimat Swami Ranganathananda ji Maharaj, at Woodlands Medical Centre, Kolkata, on Monday, 25 April 2005, at 3.51 pm was communicated to our centres over the phone as well as by email or fax on the same day.

He had been under treatment for intestinal bleeding for several months. On 28 March, he was admitted to Woodlands Medical Centre, Kolkata, for the treatment of chest infection. He returned to Belur Math on 8 April. Again, on 17 April, he developed fever with rigor, for which he was readmitted to Woodlands Medical Centre on the same day. As the infection turned to septicemia, he was shifted to Intensive Therapy Unit (ITU). Though he initially seemed to respond to the treatment, he developed fever again. On top of this, his kidney function also began to deteriorate. In spite of the best medical attention by a band of dedicated doctors, his condition grew worse. The end came after a cardiac arrest, and he attained Mahasamadhi on 25 April at 3.51 pm. He was fully conscious and alert till the end. He was 96.

The sad news was broadcast over radio and television the same night and published in the newspapers the following morning. Sri Buddhadeb Bhattacharya, Chief Minister of West Bengal, sent a floral wreath as homage to Revered Maharaj at the hospital, as soon as he got the news. Sri Subrato Mukherjee, Mayor of Kolkata, paid his last respects to Revered Maharaj at the hospital at 5.45 pm. The body of Revered Maharaj was brought to Belur Math at 6.40 pm and was kept in the cultural hall adjacent to President Maharaj’s quarters. A large number of our monastic brothers from branch centres, and thousands of disciples, devotees, admirers and friends, poured in all through the night and the day after to pay their last respects and homage with floral offerings. On 26th morning at 10.15 am, the body of Revered Maharaj was taken in a procession to the courtyard in front of the Math Office and kept on a high platform in a decorated pandal where it remained till 12.10 pm. The last rites of cremation started at 12.40 pm and were over by 3.15 pm. An estimated 60,000 people thronged the Math to pay their last homage to Revered Maharaj.

Sri Gopalkrishna Gandhi, Governor of West Bengal, paid his respects to Revered Maharaj on the 26th morning at the cultural hall in Belur Math. Condolence messages were received from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, President of India; Dr Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister of India; Smt Sonia Gandhi, All India Congress President; Sri SM Krishna, Governor of Maharashtra; and Sri TN Chaturvedi, Governor of Karnataka. Messages are also pouring in from several other dignitaries, officials, organizations, and persons from different walks of life in India and abroad. Sri IK Gujaral, former Prime Minister of India, and Sri LK Advani, former Deputy Prime Minister of India, wrote articles in eminent dailies about their association with Revered Maharaj and his great contribution to the social and spiritual welfare of humanity. On the 26th, the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha (both houses of Indian Parliament) paid homage to Revered Maharaj by standing in silence for a short while as a mark of respect to his memory. There was extensive coverage in the press as also on Doordarshan and All India Radio. The newspapers in Bangladesh also published the news prominently.

Special Puja, Bhandara and a memorial meeting will be held at Belur Math on Saturday, 7 May 2005. All our branch centres are requested to observe this day in a suitable manner, with Special Puja of Sri Ramakrishna.

Born in the village of Trikkur in Kerala State on 15 December 1908, Swami Ranganathananda ji was known in his pre-monastic days as Shankaran Kutty. After completing his schooling he received Mantra Diksha from Srimat Swami Shivananda ji Maharaj at Ootacamund in 1926 at the age of 18 and joined the Order at Mysore Ashrama after a week. He had Brahmacharya from his guru in 1929 and Sannyasa from him in 1933. After spending the first twelve years in Mysore and Bangalore centres, he worked as Secretary of Rangoon Society from 1939 to 1942. He was the head of Karachi centre from 1942 to 1948 and of New Delhi centre from 1949 to 1962. He was elected a Trustee of the Ramakrishna Math and Member of the Governing Body of Ramakrishna Mission in 1961. He was the head of the Institute of Culture, Kolkata, from 1962 to 1967, and of Hyderabad Math from 1973 to 1993. He became a Vice President of the Order on 1 April 1989 and the President on 7 September 1998.

He undertook extensive lecture tours from 1946 to 1972 covering more than 50 countries in North and South America, Asia, Africa and Europe, including Russia, Poland and Czechoslovakia. From 1973 to 1986 he visited Australia, USA, Holland and Germany every year, spreading the message of Vedanta and Ramakrishna-Vivekananda.

He was an internationally acclaimed speaker whose stirring eloquence used to captivate thousands of people in India and abroad. His lectures have been brought out in several books, notable among which are: The Message of the Upanishads, A Pilgrim Looks at the World (in two volumes), Eternal Values for a Changing Society (in four volumes), Vedanta and the Future of Mankind, Social Responsibilities of Public Administrators, Universal Message of the Bhagavad Gita (in three volumes), and The Message of Brihadaranyaka Upanishad. His 600 audio tapes and 50 video tapes on various spiritual topics including scriptures, Ramakrishna-Vivekananda, etc are a great source of inspiration to seekers in the spiritual path.

He was a voracious reader, and till the end of his life kept the habit of serious study. All his talks and writings bear the stamp of deep thinking and scholarship. His intellectual outlook and austere habits concealed a very kind and large heart that was extremely sensitive to the sufferings of the poor and the downtrodden. He was deeply concerned about the welfare of weaker sections of society and women and actively helped in their uplift.

His Mahasamadhi has created a huge void in the hearts of monastics and countless devotees. It is an irreparable loss to the Organization.

18 June 2005 : Swami Shaktidananda (Jiban) : Announced to the Public in July 2005

Swami Shaktidananda (Jiban) passed away on 18 June 2005 at 1.15 a.m. at Tata Motors Hospital, Jamshedpur, owing to cardiac failure. He was 69 and had been suffering from heart disease for some years. Initiated by Swami Madhavananda ji Maharaj, he joined the Order at Jamshedpur Ashrama in 1963 and had Sannyasa from Swami Vireshwarananda ji Maharaj in 1972. Besides his joining centre, he served at Vrindaban and Patna centres. He had been leading a retired life at Jamshedpur since 1990. The Swami was simple, amiable and hardworking by nature.

31 August 2005 : Swami Adhyatmananda ji (Chaitanya Maharaj) : Announced to the Public in September 2005

Swami Adhyatmananda ji (Chaitanya Maharaj), head of Varanasi Advaita Ashrama, passed away on 31 August 2005 at 6 a.m. at the Varanasi Home of Service hospital. He was 81. He had an attack of falciparum malaria on the 26th and was being treated for the same. After three days he developed breathlessness and abdominal distension and was admitted to the hospital. His condition deteriorated owing to kidney failure, and he passed away on the 31st. An initiated disciple of Swami Virajananda ji Maharaj, he joined the Order at Vrindaban Sevashrama in 1942 and had Sannyasa from Swami Shankarananda ji Maharaj in 1952. Besides his joining centre, he served at Ranchi Sanatorium and Seva Pratishthan. He was the head of Jamtara centre for 11 years and of Varanasi Advaita Ashrama for 2 years. The Swami was simple, unassuming and affable by nature.

20 September 2005 : Swami Priyananda ji (Vipradas Maharaj) : Announced to the Public in October 2005

Swami Priyananda ji (Vipradas Maharaj) passed away on 20 September 2005 at 8.30 am at St. John’s Medical College Hospital, Bangalore, owing to cardiac arrest. He was 84. An initiated disciple of Swami Sharvananda ji Maharaj, he joined the Order at Bhubaneswar centre in 1944 and had Sannyasa from Swami Shankarananda ji Maharaj in 1954. Besides his joining centre, he served at Chennai Math, Ranchi Sanatorium, Mysore Ashrama, Silchar Sevashrama and Puri Math. He had been leading a retired life at Ulsoor Math for the last 12 years. The swami was a fine singer of Bhajans. He was simple, affectionate and unassuming by nature.

25 September 2005 : Br. Asimachaitanya (Franklin) : Announced to the Public in October 2005

Br. Asimachaitanya (Franklin) passed away on 25 September 2005 at 4.30 pm at Trabuco Monastery, USA, (a sub-centre of the Vedanta Society of Southern California, Hollywood). He was 81 and had been suffering from cardiomyopathy for a long time. An initiated disciple of Swami Prabhavananda ji Maharaj, he joined the Order at Trabuco Monastery in 1954 and had Brahmacharya from his guru in 1961. He served Trabuco Monastery heart and soul till the last for a long period of 51 years. He never went anywhere outside Trabuco, even to our centres in USA, during his stay there. He was known for kind heart, keen sense of humour and his relentless service to the centre.

25 October 2005 : Swami Bhaktyananda ji (Vishwanath Maharaj) : Announced to the Public in November 2005

Swami Bhaktyananda ji (Vishwanath Maharaj) passed away on 25 October 2005 at 5.55 pm at Bhubaneswar Ashrama. He was 86. The swami had been suffering from various old-age ailments. An initiated disciple of Swami Sharvananda ji Maharaj, he joined the Order at Bhubaneswar centre in 1944 and had Sannyasa from Swami Shankarananda ji Maharaj in 1955. He served Bhubaneswar Ashrama till 1991 when he retired from active life owing to various health problems. He was simple, austere and amiable by nature. We are sorry to announce the passing away of two of our monastic brothers during the last month.

8 November 2005 : Swami Sarveshananda (Allen) : Announced to the Public in December 2005

Swami Sarveshananda (Allen) passed away on 8 November 2005 at 3.15 am at a nursing home in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA, owing to stroke (cerebral vascular accident). He was 89. An initiated disciple of Swami Nikhilananda ji Maharaj, he joined the Order at Chicago centre in 1967 and had Sannyasa from Swami Vireswarananda ji Maharaj in 1975. He was a medical doctor and served at our dispensary in Mayavati and the TB Sanatorium in Ranchi for nine years. He also served at St Louis centre for some years. The Swami was known for his love of music and was meticulous in his routine, especially in attending morning and evening Arati. During the last years of his life he was working on a book on the history of the Vedanta centres in the United States.

11 November 2005 : Swami Krishnamayananda ji (Kuber / Kumud Maharaj) : Announced to the Public in December 2005

Swami Krishnamayananda ji (Kuber / Kumud Maharaj) passed away on 11 November 2005 at 4 am at Narendrapur Ashrama. He was 100 years old and had been suffering from various old-age ailments for some years. An initiated disciple of Swami Akhandananda ji Maharaj, he joined the Order at Sargachhi centre in 1938 and had Sannyasa from Swami Virajananda ji Maharaj in 1946. Besides his joining centre, he served at Belur Math, Kamarpukur and Narendrapur centres. At Kamarpukur, he played an important role in the acquisition of properties and setting up the centre. He was associated with Narendrapur Ashrama since the end of 1956 when the centre was shifted to its present location from North Kolkata. Almost all the buildings which were constructed at Narendrapur centre till mid eighties were built under his able supervision. The Swami was hard working and persevering by nature. Though he was strict and tough outwardly, he possessed a kind and loving heart. He had been leading a retired life at Narendrapur centre for the last 15 years.

21 December 2005 : Shivasarananda ji (Nitai / Patal Maharaj) : Announced to the Public in January 2006

Swami Shivasarananda ji (Nitai / Patal Maharaj) passed away on 21 December 2005 at 3.45 pm at Varanasi Sevashrama hospital. He was 88 and had been suffering from various old-age problems for some years. An initiated disciple of Swami Vijnanananda ji Maharaj, he joined the Order at Varanasi Sevashrama in 1939 and had Sannyasa from Swami Virajananda ji Maharaj in 1949. Besides his joining centre, he served at Ranchi Morabadi Ashrama, Allahabad, Lucknow, Kankhal, Bankura, Almora, Gadadhar Ashrama (Kolkata) and Varanasi Advaita Ashrama centres. He was also a pujari of Swami Brahmananda Temple at Belur Math for about three years. He had been leading a retired life at Varanasi Advaita Ashrama for the last 28 years. The Swami was simple, austere and jovial by nature.

24 January 2006 : Swami Satyavratananda (Manmatha) : Announced to the Public in February 2006

Swami Satyavratananda (Manmatha), head of Baghbazar centre, passed away on 24 January 2006 at 11.36 am at Baghbazar Math owing to prostate cancer followed by multi-organ failure. He was 76. An initiated disciple of Swami Shankarananda ji Maharaj, he joined the Order at Advaita Ashrama, Kolkata, in 1956 and had Sannyasa from Swami Madhavananda ji Maharaj in 1965. Besides his joining centre, he served at Delhi Ashrama and was also a sevak of Swami Madhavananda ji for some time. He was the head of Baghbazar Math for 17 years. The Swami was known for his love of scriptures. He was hardworking, punctual, affectionate and unassuming by nature.

26 January 2006 : Swami Paramarthananda (Anandaram) : Announced to the Public in February 2006

Swami Paramarthananda (Anandaram), head of Hyderabad centre, passed away on 26 January 2006 at 3.10 pm at a hospital in Hyderabad owing to cardiac arrest. He was 61 and had been suffering from heart disease, hypertension and diabetes for some years. An initiated disciple of Swami Yatishwarananda ji Maharaj, he joined the Order at Bangalore Math in 1967 and had Sannyasa from Swami Vireshwarananda ji Maharaj in 1977. He served at Hyderabad Math for 32 years, of which he was the head for the last 9 years. The Swami was hardworking and energetic by nature and a very able organizer. He was also a good speaker in Telugu and was quite popular.

4 February 2006 : Swami Jivanananda ji (Shivaratnam Maharaj) : Announced to the Public in March 2006

Swami Jivanananda ji (Shivaratnam Maharaj) passed away on 4 February 2006 at 7.15 pm at a private hospital in Batticaloa, Sri Lanka, owing to heart attack (myocardial infarction). He breathed his last uttering “Jai Ramakrishna”. He was 81. Hundreds of schoolchildren and representatives and members of several social service organizations thronged to pay their last respects to the Swami. Heads of Roman Catholic, Methodist, Buddhist and Islamic faiths held a deeply touching interfaith prayer service. Thousands took part in the funeral procession. An initiated disciple of Swami Virajananda ji Maharaj, the Swami joined the Order at Batticaloa sub-centre (under Colombo Ashrama) in 1948 and had Sannyasa from Swami Shankarananda ji Maharaj in 1958. Besides Batticaloa Ashrama, he served at Nattarampalli, Salem, Ponnampet and Ooty centres. He was the head of Colombo centre for one year. He relentlessly worked for the development of the orphanages of Batticaloa Ashrama, and it was owing to his work that they were counted among the best orphanages in Sri Lanka. The Swami was unassuming, jovial and hardworking by nature and was respected by all for his spirit of dedication.

30 March 2006 : Swami Parananda ji (Chuni Maharaj) : Announced to the Public in April 2006

Swami Parananda ji (Chuni Maharaj) passed away on 30 March 2006 at 12.25 a.m. at Varanasi Sevashrama. He was 83 and had been suffering from various old-age ailments for some years. An initiated disciple of Swami Virajananda ji Maharaj, he joined the Order at Dhaka centre in 1942 and had Sannyasa from Swami Shankarananda ji Maharaj in 1952. Besides his joining centre, he served at Belur Math, Rahara, Rangoon Sevashrama, Purulia, Tamluk, Sargachhi, Rajkot, Vrindaban and Varanasi Sevashrama centres. He was the head of Allahabad centre for a few months. He had been leading a retired life at Varanasi Sevashrama for about two decades.