New Delhi, February 13, 2016: Swami Ghananand Saraswati, the ever smiling and charismatic Hindu leader who headed the Hindu Monastery of Africa is no more.
The much loved Ghanaian, who is famous in Hindu circles and who became the first Hindu monk from the country, in March 1975, passed away on Monday, January 18 of this year.
Before embracing Hinduism, he was known as Guide Kwesi Essel and he belonged to a family of modest means. He was born in Senya Beraku in the Central Region on September 12, 1937.
Mr Yaw Tawiah Bio, President of the Accra branch of the Hindu Monastery, also said that Swami Ghananand Saraswati was known for his contribution to the Hindu faith in the country which led to the establishment of five branches in Ghana and Togo and that the late Swami had to his credit 15 books on Hinduism and that he actively helped in building the Hindu Monastery of Africa.
A statement shared by awakeafrica.org stated that: “The Hindu Monastery of Africa wishes to announce to the general public the attainment of Mahasamadhi (passing on to eternity) of His Holiness Swami Ghananand Saraswati on 18th January 2016. [He was] the first African to be initiated into the Holy Order of Hindu Monks.”
The late Hindu Monk’s final memorial service took place on Sunday, February 7 at the headquarters of the Hindu Monastery of Africa at Odorkor in Accra and the appointment of the new Swami was performed along with the memorial service or Mahasamadhi puja of late Swami Ghananand Saraswati at the Odorkor Monastery in Accra. Community members from Kumasi, Tema, Cape Coast and Togo were also in attendance during this puja.
With the sad demise of the much-loved Swami, now Swami Satyananda Saharaj will be the new head of the Hindu Monastery of Africa.
Swami Satyananda Saharaj became a disciple in 1985 and is a Ghanaian who became Hindu and has been working for the faith for over 35 years.
The new installed Hindu leader, Swami Satyananda Saharaj, in an interview given to the Ghana News Agency also said that he stands for national development, unity, and peace.
Pic Credit: New Hindu Monk Swami Satyananda Saharaj, Ghana News Agency
Pic Credit: Swami Ghananand Saraswati,myjoyonline.com
