128-Year-Old Padma Shri Awardee Baba Shivanand Passes Away In Varanasi

128-year-old Baba Shivananda Passes away

Renowned spiritual leader and Padma Shri awardee Baba Shivanand passed away on Saturday night due to health complications, according to sources close to his family. His disciples claim that the revered guru was 128 years old at the time of his death.

Baba Shivanand had been admitted to BHU Hospital on April 30 after his health began to deteriorate. Despite medical efforts, he passed away late Saturday, leaving behind a large following of devoted disciples and well-wishers.

His mortal remains have been placed at his residence in Kabirnagar Colony, where people have been gathering to pay their final respects. Devotees, spiritual seekers, and community leaders have been arriving in large numbers to offer prayers and tributes.

According to his disciples, the last rites of Baba Shivanand will be performed later this evening.

Baba Shivanand was honored with the Padma Shri, one of India’s highest civilian awards, for his contributions to spiritual and social service. Known for his ascetic lifestyle and dedication to spreading spiritual wisdom, he inspired generations through his teachings.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences on Swami Sivananda’s passing through a post on X (formerly Twitter), paying tribute to the spiritual leader’s profound contributions to yoga and humanitarian service.

who is Swami Shivananda?

Swami Sivananda, a revered Indian yoga teacher and spiritual leader, was born on August 8, 1896, in the Sylhet District of British India (now in Bangladesh). Orphaned at a young age, he was taken under the care of Guru Omkarananda, who guided him in spiritual practices. Swami Sivananda dedicated his life to yoga, meditation, and selfless service, particularly aiding the underprivileged and leprosy-affected individuals in Varanasi. His disciplined lifestyle, including early rising, simple vegetarian meals, and daily yoga, contributed to his longevity. In recognition of his contributions to yoga and humanitarian efforts, he was awarded the Padma Shri in 2022