Mahant Avaidyanath Explained

Office:Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha
Term Start:December 1989
Constituency:Gorakhpur
Predecessor:Madan Pandey
Successor:Yogi Adityanath
Term Start2:January 1970
Predecessor2:Mahant Digvijay Nath
Successor2:Narsingh Narain Pandey
Office3:Member of Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly
Term Start3:March 1962
Term End3:February 1980 (5 times)
Constituency3:Maniram
Predecessor3:Keshav Pandey
Successor3:Haridwar Pandey
Birth Name:Kripal Singh Bisht
Birth Date:1921 5, df=yes
Birth Place:Kandi, Garhwal District, United Provinces, British India (present-day Pauri Garhwal district, Uttrakhand)
Death Place:Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh
Nationality:Indian
Party:Bharatiya Janata Party
Occupation:Politician, monk
Term End:March 1998 (3 times)
Term End2:March 1971
Module:
Embed:yes
Religion:Hinduism
Denomination:Shaivism
School:Yoga
Sect:Nath Sampradaya
Lineage:Guru Gorakhnath
Guru:Mahant Digvijaynath
Disciples:Yogi Adityanath
Post:Mahant
Temple:Gorakhnath Math
Ordination:1969
Period:1969–2014
Predecessor:Mahant Digvijaynath
Successor:Yogi Adityanath

Mahant Avaidyanath (born Kripal Singh Bisht, 28 May 1921–12 September 2014) was an Indian politician and the head priest (Mahant) of the Gorakhnath Math, a prominent Hindu temple.[1] He was a member of the Hindu Mahasabha and, later Bharatiya Janata Party; and got elected to the Indian parliament (Lok Sabha) from Gorakhpur four times. He played an important role in the Ram Janmabhoomi movement. He is better known as the mentor and guru of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.[2] [3]

Career

Religious

Avaidyanath succeeded Mahant Digvijay Nath as the head of Gorakhnath Math. Upon his death in 2014, he was succeeded by Yogi Adityanath (Ajay Mohan Bisht).

Political

Avaidyanath was elected MLA from Maniram Assembly segment five times – 1962, 1967, 1969 (resigned mid-term), 1974 and 1977, variously as Independent or Hindu Mahasabha's or Janata Party's candidate. He was elected Lok Sabha member from Gorakhpur as an Independent candidate in 1970 but lost 1971 General Election when Indira wave swept India. He won again in 1989 as candidate of Hindu Mahasabha. He was elected MP from the same seat in 1991 and 1996 as Bharatiya Janata Party nominee.[4] He retired from electoral politics after that, and his protege Yogi Adityanath was elected to Lok Sabha in 1998 General Election.

Religio-political

Mahant Avaidyanath was a leader of the Ram Janmabhoomi movement, founding the Sri Ramjanmabhoomi Mukti Yagna Samiti (Committee of sacrifice to liberate Ram's birthplace) in 1984. In September of that year, the Samiti launched a "religious procession with Hindu nationalist slogans" from Sitamarhi in Bihar to Ayodhya, with the mission of 'liberating' the Ram temple. Avaidyanath gave sermons exhorting the listeners to give votes only to those parties that promised to liberate the Hindu sacred places.

Death

He died on 12 September 2014 in Gorakhpur.[5] [6] [7] [8] [9] Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi said he was "saddened over the demise of Mahant Avaidyanath ji", and that he will be remembered for his patriotic zeal and determined efforts to serve society.[4]

Home Minister Rajnath Singh and UP BJP president Laxmikant Bajpai also sent condolences on his death.[10]

Commemoration

A stamp is being released to mark the first death anniversary of Avaidyanath, who was also spiritual father of the current UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. He died on 12 September 2014 at the age of 95.[4]

References

  1. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/92-yr-old-Avaidyanath-hopes-to-see-temple/articleshow/6661784.cms 92-yr-old Avaidyanath hopes to see temple
  2. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/92-yr-old-Avaidyanath-hopes-to-see-temple/articleshow/6661784.cms 92-yr-old Avaidyanath hopes to see temple
  3. http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/yogi-adityanaths-village-celebrates-advice-from-chief-ministers-father-1671266 As Yogi Adityanath's Village Celebrates His Rise, Advice From His Father
  4. News: Ram Temple movement leader Avaidyanath passes away . 13 September 2014 . Indian Express.
  5. News: Mahant Avaidyanath passes away. 13 September 2014. Zee News.
  6. News: गोरक्षापीठाधीश्वर महंत अवेद्यनाथ का निधन. 12 September 2014. Jagran. Hindi.
  7. News: श्रीरामजन्मभूमि आंदोलन के नेता महंत अवेद्यनाथ ब्रह्मलीन . 12 September 2014. Live Hindustan. Hindi.
  8. News: काशी के संतों ने कहा, समाज के लिए गौरव थे अवेद्यनाथ . 12 September 2014. Live Hindustan. Hindi.
  9. News: पूर्व भाजपा सांसद व गोरक्षापीठाधीश्‍वर महंत अवेद्यनाथ का निधन. 12 September 2014. Prabhakar Khabar. Hindi.
  10. News: Former MP Mahant Avaidyanath passes away. 13 September 2014. Zee News.