Jain seer Vidyasagar Maharaj dies at 77

New Delhi, February 18

Prominent Jain saint Acharya Vidyasagar Maharaj died on Sunday morning at Chandragiri Teerth in Chhattisgarh’s Dongargarh after undertaking ‘sallekhna’. He was 77.

‘Sallekhna’ is a Jain religious practice involving voluntary fast unto death for spiritual purification, a statement from the teerth said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences on his demise.

“My thoughts and prayers are with the countless devotees of Acharya Shri 108 Vidyasagar Ji Maharaj. 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,” PM Modi wrote on X.

BJP president JP Nadda, in a post in Hindi on X, expressed “shock” over his death.

“I am shocked to receive the news of the demise of the most revered Saint Shiromani Acharya Shri 108 Vidyasagar Ji Maharaj. He has given new dimensions to the invaluable spiritual heritage of Jainism,” Nadda wrote.

“The demise of Acharya Shri 108 Vidyasagar Ji Maharaj is going to shock the entire society. He was a visionary. His thoughts will always guide all of us as a light in the darkness,” Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said in a message.