NSW Premier Baird and Opposition Leader Luke Foley pays his respects to His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj
The spiritual head of BAPS, celebrated for his worldwide socio-spiritual services, His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj passed away at the pilgrimage place of Sarangpur, Gujarat, at the age of 94.
Pramukh Swami Maharaj was the fifth spiritual successor in the guru parampara tradition of Bhagwan Swaminarayan.
For more than seven decades he travelled tirelessly, visiting over 17,000 towns and villages in India and abroad.
However, for the last two years, because of age and frail health, he had been residing at the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Sarangpur under the able care of expert doctors.
Most recently, Pramukh Swami Maharaj had been ailing due to a chest infection from which he had gradually recovered. However, due to his longstanding heart problems, he passed away peacefully at the BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in Sarangpur.
Premier Mike Baird said on the passing of His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj, “I offer my condolences to the BAPs community mourning the passing of His Holiness Pramukh Swamiji Maharaj, the spiritual head of of the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha.”
“I had the pleasure of visiting the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir at Rosehill in Western Sydney where I was invited to receive Sunday blessings. The Sydney Mandir is a spiritual meeting place for the BAPS community and its efforts promoting community harmony under the spiritual guidance offered by His holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj are to be commended.”
NSW Labor has also expressed its deepest condolences to the worldwide BAPS community for the loss of their spiritual leader, Pramukh Swami Maharaj.”
Labor Leader Luke Foley had visited the BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham in Dehli on the first day of his first international trip as Labor Leader with Daniel Mookhey MLC in June 2015.
Worldwide, the BAPS Movement maintains 3850 temples, on five continents, with 55 000 volunteers. The BAPS Movement has 1 million followers.
Labour Leader Luke Foley said, “I join the BAPS community in Sydney, and the BAPs Movement worldwide, in mourning the passing of their spiritual leader, Pramukh Swami.
“Swami-ji was an inspiring leader. Renowned worldwide, he was a model of humility, charity, and devotion.
“I saw for myself how he inspired so many millions when I visited the BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham on the first day of my trip to India.
“I will soon join with many of his Sydney followers and pay my respects at the Temple he created in our City ”“ The Baps Mandir in Rosehill.
Member of the Legislative Council Daniel Mookhey said, “Pramukh Swami Maharaj legacy will live on through the devotion of the millions he inspired.
“His lesson, to live a life for others, is a universal message. It was an honor to hear for myself at the Mandirs he created: In Dehli and in Sydney.”
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