Thousands turn up to pay last tribute to Pragyanand
LUCKNOW: Thousands gathered on the streets of Lucknow on Saturday to pay their last tribute to Buddhist monk Bhante Pragyanand who died recently.
His mortal remains were first brought to Ambedkar Mahasabha and then taken to Gomti Nagar Ambedkar Smarak.
After that, the body was taken to Shravasti where his last rites will be performed in a traditional way. The ashes will be kept at Ambedkar Mahasabha in Lucknow alongside Dr BR Ambedkar’s ashes.
Pragyanand was among the
PRAGYANAND WAS AMONG THE SEVEN PRIESTS WHO HAD INITIATED BABASAHEB BHIMRAO RAO AMBEDKAR INTO BUDDHISM IN 1956
seven priests who had initiated Babasaheb Bhimrao Rao Ambedkar into Buddhism in 1956.
The 90-year-old priest passed away on November 30, after prolonged illness and since then his mortal remains were kept at Baudh Vihar, Risaldar Park.
“Bhante Pragyanand will be cremated at China Baudh Vihar in Shravasti on Sunday around 1pm with full state honours,” said Lalji Nirmal.
“He had come to the city at the age of 13 and was the senior- most priest at Baudh Vihar,” added Nirmal.
Since his death on November 30, a host of leaders including President of Ram Nath Kovind, vice-president Venkaiah Naidu, governor Ram Naik, chief minister Yogi Adityanath, cabinet minister Swami Prasad Maurya and Lalji Nirmal, president of Ambedkar Mahasabha paid their tribute to the departed soul.