PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/ New Tehri
The head priest, known as Rawal, of the revered Budha Kedar temple, Yogi Amarnath died suddenly late Tuesday evening. He was 75. Sources close to him said that his health had suddenly deteriorated after performing the regular evening aarti at the temple on Tuesday. As the news of the Rawal’s demise spread, a pall of gloom descended. Devotees, villagers and those associated with the temple committee condoled his death.
Yogi Amarnath had served the Budha Kedar shrine for a long time. He was respected for his simple nature, religious faith and devotion to the temple, said the temple committee president, Bhupendra Negi, adding that his death was an irreparable loss for the shrine and the devotees.
He further informed that his last rites would be performed in the temple premises on Thursday. “He will be a given a samadhi following religious rituals and traditions. A large number of devotees are expected to arrive for the final darshan of the departed Rawal,” he added.
