Una, March 3- Himachal government bid farewell with full state honours to Param Pujya Shri Shri 1008 Swami Sugrivanand Ji Maharaj, the head of the famous Dera Baba Rudranand of North India. Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri joined his last journey and paid emotional tribute. Other representatives of the government and officers of the district administration including DC Jatin Lal and SP Rakesh Singh were also present with him.
During this, the Deputy Chief Minister said in his condolence, 'Maharaj Ji's entire life was dedicated to the service of Sanatan Dharma and humanity. Death is only the immersion of the body, memories remain immortal. A lamp has set in the unbroken motion of the time cycle, but his aura will continue to inspire for ages. His absence in the mortal world has left a void, which even time will not be able to fill. The meetings with Maharaj Ji will remain very memorable for us. Himachal government gave him a farewell with full state honours in view of his service to humanity and dedication towards Sanatan Dharma.'
On the other hand, a huge crowd of devotees gathered at Baba Rudranand Ji Maharaj's camp on Monday on the departure of Param Pujya Maharaj Ji to Baikuntha. It was as if the gods also showered rain on his divine body due to the benevolence of the weather. Thousands of devotees visited his holy feet and paid tribute. Maharaj Ji's chief disciple and successor Acharya Hemanand Maharaj lit the pyre amidst chanting of Vedic mantras.
Let us tell you, Swami Sugrivanand Ji Maharaj passed away on March 2 at PGI Chandigarh. He was 98 years old and was unwell for some time. Himachal government had given instructions to ensure the funeral with full state honours in his honour, in compliance with which the district administration made proper arrangements and duly conducted the funeral with state honours. On the other hand, Una district administration had declared March 3 as a local holiday in honour of Maharaj Ji.
During this time, MLAs Satpal Satti, Rakesh Kalia, Vivek Sharma, Sudarshan Bablu, Scheduled Caste Commission Chairman Kuldeep Kumar Dhiman and Commission member Advocate Vijay Dogra along with other eminent personalities from various walks of life and thousands of devotees participated in the last rites and paid their tributes.