Swamy Sathyananda Saraswati passes away

November 25, 2006

Thiruvananthapuram, Nov 24: Swamy Satyananda Saraswati, head of

Sreeramadasa ashram here and a frontline campaigner of several

temple rights movements in Kerala, died at a private hospital here

today.

He was 71. Satyananda Saraswati was keeping indifferent health for

quite some time, ashram sources said.

Popularly known as 'Chengottukonam Swamy', after the village where

his ashram is located, he shot to fame in early 1980s for organising

a mass struggle for establishing the right of Sabarimala shrine over

the vast stretches of land at Nilakkal area, about 10 km from the

Pampa foothills.

Known for his fiery speeches and organising skills, the Swamy had

played a key role in forging unity of Hindu organisations in the

state since the 1970s.

A religious scholar and inspiring orator, Swamy was the founder-

editor of the Punyabhoomi daily.

He had set up branches of his ashram in other parts of the country

and abroad and founded young men's Hindu association and 'Maithili

Mahila Mandalam'. He was also founder of the annual Rama Navami Mela

in the state capital.

An Ayurvedic and Siddha expert, he had a few years back launched a

health drink called 'herbal cola'.

The Swamy's real name was Sekharan Nair. He was born in a middle

class family in Andoorkonam near here. After teaching science in a

school for a few years, he became disciple of Neelakanta Gurupadar

and chose to lead an ascetic life.

Bureau Report

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