Acharya Vidhyasagar Maharaj Passes Away After Undertaking 'Sallekhna', PM Modi Expresses Grief

(MENAFN- Live Mint) "Renowned Jain seer Acharya Vidyasagar Maharaj passed away at Chandragiri Teerth in Chhattisgarh's Dongargarh on Sunday after undertaking 'sallekhna'.Sallekhna is a Jain religious practice involving voluntary fasting unto death for spiritual purification. According to an official statement by teerth, \"Acharya Vidyasagar Maharaj attained Samadhi through 'Sallekhna' at Chandragiri teerth at 2:35 am\".\"Maharaj was staying on the teerth in Dongargarh for the last six months and was unwell from the last few days. For the last three days, he was observing sallekhna, a religious practice of voluntarily fasting to death, and had quit intake of food and liquids. According to Jainism, it is a vow taken for spiritual purification,\" the statement added Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief on the X platfrom. PM Modi wrote, \"My thoughts and prayers are with the countless devotees of Acharya Shri 108 Vidhyasagar Ji Maharaj Ji. He will be remembered by the coming generations for his invaluable contributions to society, especially his efforts towards spiritual awakening among people, his work towards poverty alleviation, healthcare, education and more\".“I had the honour of receiving his blessings for years. I can never forget my visit to the Chandragiri Jain Mandir in Dongargarh, Chhattisgarh late last year. That time, I had spent time with Acharya Shri 108 Vidhyasagar Ji Maharaj Ji and also received his blessings,” he added Minister Modi visited Dongargarh, a popular pilgrimage spot, and met Acharya Vidyasagar Maharaj on November 5 and took his blessings before the Chhattisgarh Assembly elections last year.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief JP Nadda said he was shocked after he received the news of the demise of Saint Shiromani Acharya Shri 108 Vidyasagar Ji Maharaj a post in Hindi, Nadda wrote, \"He has given new dimensions to the invaluable spiritual heritage of Jainism. His teachings, full of knowledge, compassion, and goodwill, will always provide us with guidance for the progress of society and culture.I bow down profusely at the feet of Samadhistha Acharya Shri\".On the death of saint Vidyasagar, Congress party paid a heartfelt tribute to Jain monk Saint Vidyasagar. \"This is an irreparable loss for the entire country,\" Congress party wrote.\"Saint Shiromani's unmatched sacrifice towards humanity and society will always be an inspiration for us,\" the party added.
A procession will be taken out at 1 pm on Sunday for people to pay tribute to the departed seer and the final rites will be held in Chandragiri teerth.

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