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Acharya Satyendra Das is the Chief Priest of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, which was inaugurated on 22 January 2024.
Wiki/Biography
Acharya Satyendra Das was born in 1940 (age 84 years; as of 2024) and he hails from Sant Kabirnagar, Uttar Pradesh. Growing up, he would often visit Ayodhya with his father. The religious environment of the temple city played a key role in Satyendra Das’ inclination towards becoming a priest. Additionally, his father was a close aide of Abhiram Das, the sadhu who is credited to have placed the idol of Ram Lalla inside the central dome of the Babri Masjid in December 1949. On 8 February 1958, Satyendra Das relocated to Ayodhya for studies. Das has two siblings, a brother and a sister. When Das expressed his desire to become a “sanyasi” (hermit), his father was extremely happy that one of his sons would look after the family and the other one would serve god almighty. Satyendra Das earned the title of Acharya, passing from Sanskrit Vidyalaya in 1975. In 1976, he secured a job as an Assistant Teacher in the Grammar Department of Sanskrit 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 would also work to install Kalash at the temple during Navratri. At that time, he never thought that he would ever become the chief priest of Janmabhoomi.
Physical Appearance
Hair Colour: Salt & Pepper
Eye Colour: Black
Family
Parents & Siblings
He has a brother, and his sister is deceased.
Wife & Children
He is unmarried. He practised celibacy and became a sanyasi to serve Lord Ram.
Religion/Religious Views
He follows Hinduism and is a devotee of Lord Ram.
Chief Priest of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya
While working as an Assistant Teacher at the Sanskrit Mahavidyalaya, Ayodhya, he would regularly visit Ram Janmabhoomi. In 1992, Laldas served as the priest of Ramlala. At that time, the role of receiver was typically assigned to a retired judge, and JP Singh held this position. Following Singh’s demise in February 1992, the Ram Janmabhoomi’s oversight was transferred to the district administration. Discussions about replacing Priest Laldas emerged around this period. During this time, Das maintained strong ties with the then BJP MP Vinay Katiyar, VHP leaders, and several saints connected to VHP leaders. They agreed to appoint Das as the chief priest, and the approval of the VHP President Ashok Singhal was also received. The district administration was notified, and Das was appointed as the Chief Priest of Ram Janmabhoomi on 1 March 1992. Das was granted the right to appoint four assistant priests, and he subsequently selected four individuals for these roles. In an interview, Satyendra Das said that at that time it was a bit difficult to maintain harmony between the school and the temple. However, the helpful priests made it easy. He used to stay in the temple from early morning till 10 o’clock, then, he used to stay in school from 10 o’clock till 4 o’clock. Then, from 4 pm onwards, he would stay in the temple till evening. Reportedly, at that time, he used to get a salary of Rs 100. Acharya Satyendra Das continued this position for the following three decades.
Babri Masjid in Ayodhya before its demolition
In 1992, the demolition of the Babri Masjid by Hindu nationalists triggered widespread Hindu-Muslim violence. In an interview, Satyendra Das said that he was there when the Babri demolition took place. It was 11 in the morning, he picked up Ramlala’s idol and went away so that it was safe. The disagreement between Hindus and Muslims regarding the ownership of the property became a legal dispute and reached the Indian Supreme Court. In 2000, many leaders of Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP), including Ashok Singhal, had forcefully entered the Janmabhoomi. The media was also behind him. The then DM Bhagwati Prasad wanted to hush up the matter, but the news was published in the media. Later, when journalists asked Das and his assistant priests about it, they revealed the names. After the event, the VHP became angry with his assistant priests. On 9 November 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 post of teacher on 30 June 2007, he again started getting a salary of Rs 13,000. Meanwhile, his assistant priests got 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 made a political event of one party. He hit out at the BJP over Ram Mandir’s consecration on 22 January 2024, claiming he had not received an invitation for the event. Consequently, Das hit out at Thackeray over the latter’s claim and said that the invitations have only been extended to those who are “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 immense work in his tenure. This is not politics. This is his devotion.”
On 20 January 2024, Mahant Satyendra Das made headlines for expressing displeasure when some pre-installation old pictures of Ram Lalla’s idol showing its face went viral on the internet. The 51-inch idol carved in black stone by sculptor Arun Yogiraj of Mysuru was sourced from Karnataka. Representatives from the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and temple trust denied they had released any pictures of the idol, but the photographs were all over the TV channels and social media platforms. In one of the pictures, the idol, had its eyes covered with a piece of yellow cloth and draped in a rose garland. In another, its face was exposed. VHP officials explained that these photos were secretly taken a few days prior to the deity’s placement in the temple. The trust suspected that the photo of Ram Lalla had been leaked by officials engaged in construction work at the temple site. The backdrop of the idol reveals that the pictures were clicked when it was kept at an ashram before being transported to the temple complex. Acharya Satyendra Das demanded a probe into the case saying “the eyes of Lord Ram’s idol cannot be revealed before the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ is completed.” He was appointed as the Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra chief priest.
Salary
In an interview, he revealed that his monthly remuneration was only Rs 100. Till 2023, he received only Rs 12,000 monthly honorarium. However, it increased in 2024.
Facts/Trivia
- Acharya Satyendra Das is an avid animal lover. He is often seen petting monkeys who wander around Ayodhya Ram Temple’s premises.