Jain Sage Acharya Vidhyasagar Maharaj Passes Away; PM Modi Condoles, Recounts Last Visit

Renowned Jain sage Acharya Vidhyasagar Maharaj passed away early on Sunday at Chandragiri Teerth Chhattisgarh’s Dongargarh after undertaking ‘Sallekhna‘, a Jain practice which involves voluntary fasting unto death for spiritual purification.

A statement from the Chandragiri Teerth said that Acharya Vidhyasagar Maharaj attained Samadhi through ‘Sallekhna’ at Chandragiti 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 read.

A procession will be taken out on Sunday, 1 pm, for the people to pay tribute to the seer, following which the final rites will be held at the teerth, the statement noted.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences over the seer’s demise and said that he can “never forget” the time he visited Chandragiri Jain Mandir and met the Acharya.

“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,” the prime minister wrote in a post on X.

PM Modi highlighted that he had the honour of receiving Acharya’s blessings for years. “I can never forget my visit to Chandragiri Jain Mandir in Dongargarh, Chhattisgarh late last year. That time, I had spent with Acharya Shri 108 Vidhyasagar Ji Maharaj Ji and also received his blessings,” he added.

Last year, PM Modi had gone to the popular pilgrimage stop during his visit to the then poll-bound state of Chhattisgarh.

Chhattisgarh chief minister Vishnu Deo Sai said also condoled the seer’s demise. In a message, the CM said, “Received the the news of the world revered and national seer Acharya Shri Vidyasagar Mahamuniraj ji’s samadhi at Chandragiri Teerth in Dongargarh. Acharya Shri Vidyasagar Ji Maharaj, who enriched the country and the world including Chhattisgarh with his dynamic knowledge, will be remembered for ages for his exemplary works for the country and society, sacrifice and penance.”

“I bow down to the feet of Acharya Shri Vidhyasagar ji,” Deo Sai added.