Paramapoojya Jagadguru Padmabhushana Sri Sri Sri Dr.Balagangadharanatha Mahaswamiji (1945-2013) succeeded Sri Sri Sri Ramanandanath Mahaswamiji and inherited the Natha lineage as early as at thirty years of age on the auspicious day of 24 September 1974. He became a seer of the inspired by the desire to serve the country men and thread the path of Spirituality took initiation at the age of 19 and acquired the knowledge of Vedas, Upanishads and ancient Indian scriptures under the tutelage of Sri Sri Sri Ramanandanath Mahaswamiji as his Guru. He became the 71″ pontiff of the Adichunchangiri Dharma Peetha and worked tirelessly to realize his vision of revolutionalising the Society through Spiritual, Educational, Social, Cultural activities of the Math. He traveled all round the World and the country understanding the needs of the people. Having comprehended the prime requisites of this hour he plunged to take up various initiatives aiming at the integral development and progress of the nation. This objective could be achieved only by involving in Jnana and Karma Paths, as described in the famous scripture of Bhagavadgita. The Swamiji as a true Sanyasi dedicated the whole of his life for service to others/Society at large.
Poojya Mahaswamiji was a great visionary with a perfect blend of science and spirituality. He was instrumental in strengthening Sri Adichunchanagiri Shikshana Trust that runs 500+ Educational institutions catering about 150000 students across the country imparting quality education from primary to Professional Courses with a special focus on young people of semi-urban and rural areas.
Mahaswamiji had a vision of serving the humanity in eight fold areas of Adhyathmika (Spirituality), Anna (Free Food), Akshara (Knowledge), Arogya (Health), Ashraya (Shelter), Anukampa (Helping Hands), Aranya (Afforestation), Akalu (Cattle Protection) was exemplary and noteworthy. He was rewarded and conferred with innumerable titles for his services in the field of Education, Health, Spiritual, Moral, Social, Cultural and Environmental activities. Most prominent among them are “Padma Bhushan, Doctor Honoris Causa, Saadhanaacharya, Akshaya Santha Sanatana, Daarmarathna, Seva Soorya, Vidya Samrat, Parisara Rathna, Abhinava Vivekananda, Rashtriya Ekatha Prashasthi” and so on.
