Swami Lakshmanananda

Who was Swami Lakshmanananda?

Swami Lakshmanananda Saraswati, born Shravan Krishna Navami, was a Hindu monk and a highly revered spiritual leader who lived a life dedicated to tribal welfare. The Swami was a native of Gurujanga village in Talcher and born in a pious Brahmin family. Over four decades ago, he left his wife and one year old son to become monk, and moved to Rishikesh in Himalayas. In 1968, He established an Ashram at Chakapada in Kandhamal district of Odisha. Since 1970 he had been involved in social services promoting tribal welfare. He was regarded as a Messiah among Hindu tribals of the area.

He was assassinated along with four disciples allegedly by Maoist insurgents with support from Christian Missionaries. On 30 September 2013, a district court convicted seven accused, all of whom were said to be Christians.