Varanasi, May 4 (UNI) Padam Shri awardee Yoga Guru Swami Shivanand Maharaj died during treatment in a hospital in Varanasi here in Uttar Pradesh.

He was around 129 years old.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed grief over the demise of the veteran yoga guru and paid him an emotional tribute.

Taking to X, he wrote, "The demise of Kashi's renowned yoga guru 'Padma Shri' Swami Shivanand ji, who made an unparalleled contribution in the field of yoga, is extremely sad. Humble tribute to him. Your sadhana and yoga-filled life is a great inspiration for the entire society. You dedicated your entire life to the expansion of yoga. I pray to Baba Vishwanath to grant salvation to the departed soul and give strength to his bereaved followers to bear this immense sorrow."

The family members said that Swami Shivanand was admitted to Banaras Hindu University (BHU) hospital due to difficulty in breathing, where he breathed his last at around 8:30 pm on Saturday night. His body has been kept at his ashram in Durgakund for the last darshan, where his followers are thronging. His last rites will be performed at Harishchandra Ghat.

The veteran yoga guru was felicitated with Padma Shri by the then President Ram Nath Kovind three years ago. Swami Shivanand Baba had been participating in every Kumbh for the last 100 years. Recently, his camp was set up in Prayagraj Mahakumbh, and he took a bath in Sangam.

UNI AB ARN