Acharya Satyendra Das is the Head Priest of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, inaugurated on 22 January 2024.
Wiki/Biography
Acharya Satyendra Das was born in 1940 (age 84 years; in 2024) and he hails from Sant Kabirnagar, Uttar Pradesh. While growing up, he often visited Ayodhya with his father. The religious environment of the temple town played an important role in Satyendra Das’ inclination towards becoming a priest. Additionally, his father was a close aide of Abhiram Das, the sadhu who is credited with placing the idol of Ram Lalla inside the central dome of the Babri Masjid in December 1949. On 8 February 1958, Satyendra Das moved to Ayodhya to study. Das has two siblings, a brother and a sister. When Das expressed his desire to become a “sanyasi” (ascetic), his father was overjoyed that one of his sons would take care of the family and the other would serve the Supreme Lord. Satyendra Das earned the title of Acharya, graduating from the Sanskrit Vidyalaya in 1975. In 1976, he got a job as an Assistant Teacher in the Sanskrit Grammar Department of the Mahavidyalaya, Ayodhya. At that time, his salary was Rs 75. He used to visit Ayodhya during this time. He used to do katha, puja etc. He will also work to install Kalash in the temple during Navratri. At that time, he never thought that he would become the chief priest of Janmabhoomi.
Physical appearance
Hair Color: Salt & Pepper
Eye Color: Black
Family
Parents & Siblings
He has one brother, and his sister is deceased.
Wife & Children
He is not married. He practiced celibacy and became a sanyasi to serve Lord Ram.
Religion/Religious Views
He follows Hinduism and is a devotee of Lord Ram.
Head Priest of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya
While working as an Assistant Teacher at the Sanskrit Mahavidyalaya, Ayodhya, he regularly visited Ram Janmabhoomi. In 1992, Laldas served as the priest of Ramlala. At that time, the role of receiver was usually given to a retired judge, and JP Singh held this position. After Singh’s death in February 1992, the supervision of Ram Janmabhoomi was transferred to the district administration. Discussions about replacing Paderi Laldas emerged around this period. During this time, Das maintained strong ties with the then BJP MP Vinay Katiyar, the VHP leader, and several saints associated with the VHP leaders. They agreed to appoint Das as the head priest, and VHP President Ashok Singhal’s approval was also received. The district administration was informed, and Das was appointed Chief Priest of Ram Janmabhoomi on 1 March 1992. Das was given the right to appoint four assistant priests, and he later selected four individuals for these roles. In an interview, Satyendra Das said, at that time it was quite difficult to maintain harmony between the school and the temple. However, the priest who helps makes it easier. He used to stay at the temple from early morning until 10 o’clock, then, he used to stay at school from 10 o’clock to 4. Then, from 4 pm onwards, he would stay at the temple until evening. Reportedly, at that time he used to get a salary of Rs 100. Acharya Satyendra Das continued in this position for the next three decades.
The Babri Mosque in Ayodhya before it was demolished
In 1992, the demolition of the Babri Masjid by Hindu nationalists sparked widespread Hindu-Muslim violence. In an interview, Satyendra Das said that he was there when the Babri demolition took place. It was already 11 in the morning, he took Ramlala’s statue and left to keep it safe. The disagreement between Hindus and Muslims regarding the ownership of the property became a legal dispute and reached the Supreme Court of India. In 2000, many Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) leaders, including Ashok Singhal, had forcibly entered Janmabhoomi. The media is also behind it. The then DM Bhagwati Prasad wanted to keep the matter quiet, but the news was published in the media. Later, when reporters asked Das and his assistant pastor about the matter, they revealed the names. After the incident, VHP became angry with his assistant pastor. On November 9, 2019, the Supreme Court ruled that the land should be transferred to a trust for the construction of a Hindu temple. When he retired from the teaching post on June 30, 2007, he again started getting a salary of Rs 13,000. Meanwhile, his assistant imam gets a salary of Rs 8000. On 30 December 2024, former Maharashtra Chief Minister and Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray targeted the BJP over the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, saying the consecration ceremony should not be politicized. one party event. He lashed out at the BJP over the inauguration of the Ram Mandir on January 22, 2024, claiming he had not received an invitation for the event. As a result, Das slammed Thackeray for the latter claim and said that invitations were only given to those who were “devotees of Lord Ram.” Furthermore, he added,
It is totally wrong to say that (the) BJP is fighting in the name of Lord Ram, our PM is respected everywhere. He has done a great job during his tenure. This is not politics. This is his devotion.”
On January 20, 2024, Mahant Satyendra Das made headlines for expressing his displeasure when some old photos of Ram Lalla’s idol pre-installation showing his face went viral on the internet. The 51-inch idol carved in black stone by Mysuru-based sculptor Arun Yogiraj was sourced from Karnataka. Representatives from the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and the temple trust denied they had released any pictures of the idols, but the pictures were circulated across TV channels and social media platforms. In one of the pictures, the idol’s eyes are covered with a yellow cloth and garlanded with roses. Elsewhere, his face is exposed. VHP officials explained that these pictures were taken secretly a few days before the placement of the deity in the temple. The trust suspects that Ram Lalla’s picture was leaked by officials involved in construction work at the temple site. The background of the statue reveals that the photographs were clicked when it was kept in the ashram before being transported to the temple complex. Acharya Satyendra Das demanded an inquiry into the case saying “the eye of Lord Ram’s idol cannot be revealed before ‘Pran Pratishtha’ is completed.” He was appointed as the head priest of Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra.
Salary
In an interview, he revealed that his monthly remuneration is only Rs 100. Till 2023, he will only receive Rs 12,000 monthly honorarium. However, it increases in 2024.
Facts/Trivia
- Acharya Satyendra Das was an avid animal lover. He is often seen petting the monkeys that roam around the Ayodhya Ram Temple grounds.
Categories: Biography
Source: SCHOOL TRANG DAI
