Yoga practitioner Baba Sivanand passed away in Varanasi on Saturday night. His followers say he was 128 years old. He had been admitted to Banaras Hindu University (BHU) Hospital on April 30 due to health-related complications.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to Baba Sivanand on X, calling his passing an “irreparable loss.” He wrote, “It is extremely saddening to hear about the demise of Shivanand Baba Ji, a yoga practitioner and resident of Kashi. His life dedicated to yoga and sadhana will continue to inspire every generation of the country. He was also awarded Padma Shri for serving the society through yoga.”
The Prime Minister added, “Shivanand Baba’s departure to Shivaloka is an irreparable loss for all of us Kashi residents and millions of people who draw inspiration from him.”
Born on 8 August 1896 in Sylhet district, now in Bangladesh, Baba Sivanand lost his parents to starvation at the age of six. He was later cared for by his spiritual mentor Omkarnand. His followers credit his long life to a disciplined routine—waking up at 3 am, practising yoga, eating only boiled food, and sleeping on a mat. He was honoured with the Padma Shri for his contributions to yoga in 2022.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also paid tribute, saying, “Your sadhana and yoga-filled life is a great inspiration for the whole society.”
Baba Sivanand’s body has been kept at his home in Kabirnagar Colony for people to pay their last respects. The final rites are scheduled to be performed later today, according to his disciples.