The Passing Away Of Srimat Swami Shivamayananda ji Maharaj

Updated: 23 June 2021

A Life Sketch of Srimat Swami Shivamayananda ji :

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With deep sorrow we announce the passing away of Revered Swami Shivamayanandaji (Ranen Maharaj), a Vice-President of the Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission, at Seva Pratishthan, Kolkata, on 11 June 2021 at 9.05 pm, due to severe Covid pneumonia. He was 86 and had been suffering from hypertension, bronchial asthma and kidney disease for some years.

Revered Maharaj was admitted to Seva Pratishthan on 22 May with severe Covid pneumonia and was kept under the care of a team of specialist doctors. He was put on non-invasive ventilation on 28 May and on mechanical ventilation on 10 June. Gradually his condition deteriorated and, despite the best available medical treatment, he could not be revived.

At 11.35 pm Maharaj’s body was taken to Nimtala Crematorium in Kolkata following the Covid-mandated norms. The last rites were started at 12:15 am (12 June) and were over by 1:15 am. Later, his ashes were brought to Belur Math at 1.45 am and were immersed in the sacred Ganga.

Swami Shivamayanandaji was born in Supaul town of Bihar on 20 December 1934. An initiated disciple of Swami Vishuddhanandaji Maharaj, he joined the order at Belur Math in 1959 and received sannyasa diksha from Swami Vireshwaranandaji Maharaj in 1969.

He served the order at Belur Math and Sargachhi, Katihar, Rahara and Seva Pratishthan centres as an assistant, Saradapitha centre, first as an assistant and later on as the head, and Swamiji’s Ancestral House and Cossipore centres as the head. He was the headmaster of our high school at Sargachhi and principal of Vivekananda Centenary College (Rahara) and Vidyamandira College (Saradapitha).

He was appointed a trustee of the Ramakrishna Math and a member of the Governing Body of Ramakrishna Mission in 1990. In 1992, he was elected an Assistant Secretary of the twin organizations in which capacity he served for thirteen years. Besides, he served as the Convenor of the Ramakrishna-Vivekananda Bhava Prachar Committee at the headquarters for more than two decades. He also actively participated in various relief operations at different times.

Revered Maharaj started his spiritual ministration in 2016 by giving mantra diksha (spiritual initiation) to devotees. The following year he was elected a Vice-President of the twin organizations. Since then he was staying mostly at Kankurgachhi Math. Only about two months ago (in April 2021), he moved to Cossipore Math after assuming the charge as its head, in addition to his holding the office of Vice-President. During his spiritual ministry, he blessed many devotees with mantra diksha in different parts of the country.

Revered Maharaj was known for his frank and bold nature and the courage of his convictions. Austere, unassuming and kind-hearted, he endeared himself to all who came in contact with him.