Acharya Satyendra Das Age, Caste, Family, Biography & More

Some Lesser Known Facts About Acharya Satyendra Das

• Acharya Satyendra Das is an Indian priest who was appointed as the chief priest of Ram Janmabhoomi, Ayodhya in 1992.

• Growing up, Satyendra Das frequently accompanied his father on visits to Ayodhya. The temple city’s spiritual atmosphere greatly influenced his decision to become a priest. His father’s close association with Abhiram Das also played a significant role. Abhiram Das was the sadhu renowned for placing the Ram Lalla idol inside the Babri Masjid’s central dome in December 1949.

• On 8 February 1958, Satyendra moved to Ayodhya for his studies. Das had a brother and a sister. His decision to pursue a life as a “sanyasi” (hermit) delighted his father, who was pleased that while one son would take care of the family, the other would dedicate himself to serving God.

• In 1975, Satyendra Das graduated from Sanskrit Vidyalaya, earning the title of Acharya.

• The following year, he began working as an Assistant Teacher in the Grammar Department of Sanskrit Mahavidyalaya, Ayodhya. At that time, he used to earn a monthly salary of Rs 75.

• During this period, he continued visiting Ayodhya, engaging in activities like katha, puja, and assisting with Kalash installation at the temple during Navratri. Little did he know then that he would one day become the chief priest of Janmabhoomi.

• In 1992, the priestly duties at Ramlala were performed by Laldas. During this period, the receiver’s role, typically given to a retired judge, was held by JP Singh. Following Singh’s passing in February 1992, the Ram Janmabhoomi came under the district administration’s management. Around the same time, discussions about replacing Priest Laldas began. Das was well-connected with BJP MP Vinay Katiyar, VHP leaders, and various saints affiliated with the VHP. They all agreed to choose Das for the job, and Ashok Singhal, who was the President of VHP at that time, also gave his approval. This led to the district administration appointing Das as the chief priest of Ram Janmabhoomi on 1 March 1992. Thereafter, he was granted authority to choose four assistant priests. In an interview, Satyendra Das mentioned the challenges of balancing his responsibilities at the Mahavidyalaya and the temple and said that the cooperative priests eased this task. His routine involved being at the temple from early morning until 10 AM, at the Mahavidyalaya from 10 AM to 4 PM, and then back at the temple until the evening. Acharya Satyendra Das continued in this role for the next three decades.

• When Acharya Satyendra Das was appointed in 1992, he received a monthly salary of Rs 100. According to Das, his teaching job salary was used to cover his household expenses. However, in the following years, there was a gradual increase in his salary. After retiring as a teacher on 30 June 2007, Das began receiving a salary of Rs 13,000, while his assistant priests were paid Rs 8,000.

• The destruction of Babri Masjid by Hindu nationalists in 1992 sparked severe Hindu-Muslim clashes. In an interview, Satyendra Das recounted his presence during the Babri Masjid demolition. At 11 AM, he moved the idol of Ramlala to a safe location. The event made the Hindu-Muslim conflict over land ownership more intense, leading to a legal dispute being filed with the Indian Supreme Court.

• In 2000, several Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) leaders, including Ashok Singhal, forcefully entered the Janmabhoomi site, followed by media attention. The District Magistrate (DM) Bhagwati Prasad tried to downplay the incident, but it was already reported in the media. When reporters asked Das and his assistant priests about the matter, they revealed the names of the people involved, which led to tension between them and the VHP.

• On 9 November 2019, the Supreme Court decided that the land should be given to a trust to build a Hindu temple.

• On 30 December 2024, Uddhav Thackeray, former Chief Minister of Maharashtra and Shiv Sena (UBT) leader, criticized the BJP regarding the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. He condemned the BJP for politicizing the temple’s consecration ceremony, which was to be held on 22 January 2024, and claimed he wasn’t invited. In response, Das criticised Thackeray, stating that invitations were sent only to those who are “devotees of Lord Ram.” 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 garnered attention for his disapproval of the circulation of old pre-installation photos of Ram Lalla’s idol, which revealed its face, on the internet. The idol, a 51-inch creation in black stone by Mysuru sculptor Arun Yogiraj was sourced from Karnataka. Despite denials from the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and temple trust representatives about releasing any images of the idol, these photos were widespread across TV channels and social media. One photo showed the idol with its eyes covered by a yellow cloth and wrapped in a rose garland, while another exposed its face. VHP officials stated that these photos were taken secretly a few days before the idol was to be placed in the temple. The trust suspected that individuals involved in the temple’s construction work might have leaked the photo of Ram Lalla, as the background in the pictures indicated they were taken at an ashram before the idol was moved to the temple complex. Acharya Satyendra Das, who was appointed as the chief priest of the Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra, called for an investigation into the matter, emphasizing that “the eyes of Lord Ram’s idol cannot be revealed before the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony is complete.”

• Acharya Satyendra Das has a deep affection for animals. He is frequently observed caring for monkeys that roam around the grounds of the Ayodhya Ram Temple.