With deep sorrow we announce the passing away of Swami Gahananandaji Maharaj, President of Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission, on 4 November at 5.35 pm at Ramakrishna Mission Seva Pratishthan hospital, Kolkata.  He had suffered a sudden setback in his health owing to old-age related problems like Parkinson’s disease, diabetes, etc., and was admitted to Seva Pratishthan hospital on 4 September.  A team of specialists was continuously monitoring the condition of his health.  In spite of the best medical attention, his condition, however, steadily deteriorated and he passed away at 5.35 pm on 4 November at the age of 91.

The news was broadcast over radio and television the same night and published in several newspapers of India and Bangladesh the following morning.  The body of Maharaj was brought to Belur Math at 9.25 pm on 4 November and was kept in the Cultural Hall behind President Maharaj’s quarters.  A large number of our monastic brothers from branch centres, and thousands of disciples, devotees, admirers and friends, estimated at nearly 50,000, thronged the Math premises throughout the night and the day after to pay their last respects and homage.  On the 5th morning at 10.30 am, the body of Maharaj was taken in a procession to the courtyard in front of the Math Office and kept on a high platform in a decorated pandal till 12.30 pm.  The last rites of cremation started at 1 pm and were over by 3.45 pm.  Condolence messages were received from several dignitaries, officials, organizations, and persons from different walks of life in India and abroad. 

Special worship in memory of Maharaj was held at Belur Math on 16 November.  Devotees thronged the Math in large numbers from the early hours of the day.  Prasad was served to about 38,000 devotees.  Swami Atmasthanandaji presided over the memorial meeting held in the afternoon.  An estimated 80,000 people visited the Math that day.

Born in the village of Paharpur in Sylhet district (now in Bangladesh) on Durga Puja Mahashtami tithi in October 1916, Swami Gahananandaji was known in his pre‑monastic days as Naresh Ranjan Roy Chowdhury.  He joined the Order at Bhubaneswar centre in January 1939 at the age of 22.  After two months, he received mantra diksha from Swami Virajanandaji Maharaj.  In 1944, Swami Virajanandaji gave him Brahmacharya vows, and in 1948 Sannyasa vows.  He served at Advaita Ashrama, Kolkata, from 1942 to 1952, at Bagerhat Ashrama from 1952 to 1953, and at Shillong centre from 1953 to 1958.  He was posted to Seva Pratishthan in 1958 where he worked during the first 5 years as its Assistant Secretary and then as its head for 22 years.  He worked tirelessly to develop the services of Seva Pratishthan to cater to the medical needs of more and more people belonging to poor and low-income sections of the society, and converted the original small maternity hospital into a huge 550-bed, modern, well-equipped hospital. 

He was appointed a Trustee of the Ramakrishna Math and Member of the Governing Body of the Ramakrishna Mission in 1965.  In 1979, he was elected an Assistant Secretary of the twin organizations.  He became the General Secretary of the Math and Mission in 1989 and continued in that post for 3 years.  In 1992, he was elected Vice-President of the twin organizations.  He was also the head of Kankurgachhi Math during his tenure as Vice-President.  He was elected President of the Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission on 25 May 2005.

Both as Vice-President and President, he travelled extensively in various parts of the country and visited many branches of the Order.  He also visited at different times various places in USA, Canada, England, France, Switzerland, Holland, Russia, Australia, Japan, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Singapore, Malaysia and Mauritius.  In all these places, he spread the message of Sri Ramakrishna, Holy Mother, Swamiji and Vedanta, and also gave mantra diksha to thousands of spiritual seekers.  He always responded enthusiastically and tirelessly to spiritual seekers from all parts of the globe. In his eagerness to satisfy the spiritual thirst of seekers, he took great pains to travel to remote corners of India, including villages difficult of access, ignoring his personal difficulties and inconveniences.  He was an unfailing source of inspiration and guidance to thousands of seekers. 

He always identified himself, heart and soul, with the Sangha and took a lively interest in all the activities of the Math and Mission till the end.  He was a member of many steering and executive committees formed by the Math and Mission from time to time.  Special mention should be made of his great contribution to giving a proper shape to the new venture started in 1980 to guide hundreds of unaffiliated centres through Ramakrishna-Vivekananda Bhav Prachar Parishads.  Patience, perseverance and forbearance constituted the hall mark of his character.  His equanimity in all circumstances and his calmness and composure even in trying situations were a source of inspiration to all who came in contact with him. 

His maha-samadhi has left a huge void in the hearts of monastics and countless devotees.  In him the Order has lost a great leader and an inspiring presence.

Swami Atmasthanandaji is scheduled to visit Kamarpukur and Jayrambati from 5 to 7 December. He is keeping well.

Swami Gitanandaji will be visiting Rahara and Barasat from 4 to 14 December, and Taki from 20 to 25 December.  He is in good health. 

Swami Smarananandaji is scheduled to visit New Alipurduar, Cooch Behar and Mathabhanga from 4 to 13 December, and Chennai, Coimbatore, Salem, Nattarampalli, Madurai and Hyderabad from 17 December to 7 January.  He is keeping well.