khargone: Saint Siyaram Baba, famous for the upliftment of the ghats of the Narmada River and temples in the Nimar region of Madhya Pradesh, passed away this morning at the age of 94 after a short spell of illness. His death sent a wave of mourning across the region.
Khargone superintendent of police Dharamraj Meena told TOI that Saint Siyaram Baba passed away at 6.10am today at the Bhattyan village Ashram near the Narmada coast. His mortal remains have been kept for the last darshan. His last rites will be performed at 4pm today, and chief minister Dr Mohan Yadav will be present during this, said officials.
Saint Siyaram Baba was admitted to a private hospital in Sanawad a few days ago due to pneumonia. As per his wish, after being discharged from there, he returned to the Bhattyan Ashram under Kasrawad Tehsil.
On the instructions of chief minister Mohan Yadav, the team of Medical College Indore examined his health and determined the protocol of treatment. Under this, his health was being looked after by a team of doctors by providing tertiary level facilities in the ashram itself. Along with this, devotees were doing bhajans and jaap, etc.
Yadav was constantly taking information about his health. On Wednesday, he was scheduled to visit the ashram.
According to the sevadars, Baba, a devotee of Lord Hanuman, used to take donations of Rs10 only and donated the money for the repair of Narmada Ghats and the upliftment of various religious institutions and temples. Despite not being very educated, he recited Ramcharitmanas continuously. He filled the visiting devotees with positive energy by giving them spiritual guidance.
It is said about him that he performed penance by standing on one leg for 12 years. Siyaram Baba, who wore only a ‘langot’ in all seasons, did all his work himself and also cooked food himself.
