Balagangadharanatha Swamiji

Who was Balagangadharanatha Swamiji?

Sri Balagangadharanatha Swamiji was an Indian religious leader who was the seer of Adichunchanagiri, Nagamangala Taluk, Mandya district. He was awarded Padma Bhushan, India's third highest civilian honour for the year 2010.

Swamiji was born to Sri Chikkalinge Gowda and Smt. Boramma as Gangadharaiah. He had five siblings - two brothers and three sisters. Sri Gangadharaiah completed his graduation in Science from Government Arts & Science College, Bengaluru. Motivated by the desire to serve God and the people, he chose the spiritual way of life.

Initiated at the age of nineteen, Sri Swamiji spent his initial years mastering the Vedas and other sacred texts under the tutelage of his Guru Sri Ramanandanatha Swamiji.

Sri Sri Sri Balagangadharanatha Mahaswamiji took over as the 71st Pontiff of the ancient Natha Center of Worship, Sri Adichunchanagiri Math, on 24 September 1974 at the age of 30. He was of the line of Sri Bhakthanatha Swamiji, Sri Chandrashekaranatha Swamiji and Sri Ramanandanatha Swamiji of the ‘Natha Tradition’.

Balagangadharanatha Swami died on 13 January 2013 due to kidney failure. He was undergoing treatment at BGS Global Hospital in Kengeri after his blood pressure went out of control during dialysis.