Acharya Laxmikant Dixit, who led the consecration of the Ram Temple passed away on June 22. He had been unwell for past few days. The last rites will be performed at Manikarnika Ghat.
Chief priest Acharya Laxmikant Dixit, who spearheaded the holy consecration of Ayodhya’s Ram Mandir, died on Saturday morning. He was 86 years old. According to Dixit’s family members, he had been unwell and undergoing treatment for the past few days. The last rites of Acharya Laxmikant Dixit will be performed in Varanasi at Manikarnika Ghat, one of the holiest cremation grounds among the sacred riverfronts.
Acharya Laxmikant Dixit role in Ram Temple
Acharya Laxmikant Dixit played a crucial role in the consecration ceremony (Pranpratishtha) of Lord Ram’s idol at the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya on January 22. He led the holy ceremony, which was presided by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Acharya Laxmikant Dixit Early Life
Recognized as one of Varanasi’s senior scholars, Dixit was originally from Solapur district in Maharashtra, though his family has resided in Varanasi for several generations. Dixit’s lineage can be traced back centuries to Gaga Bhatt, the renowned scholar from Kashi in the 17th century. Bhatt was instrumental as the chief priest during the crowning of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in 1674. The traditions of Vedic rituals are second nature to Pt Laxmikant Mathuranath Dixit, as he has deep knowledge and wisdom about these ancient practices.
UP CM Adityanath Expressed Sorrow
Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath took to X and expressed his sorrow over chief priest’s demise. “The departure of Acharya Shri Laxmikant Dixit, a great scholar of Kashi and the chief priest of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Prana Pratishtha, is an irreparable loss to the spiritual and literary world,” CM Adityanath wrote.
“He will always be remembered for his service to the Sanskrit language and Indian culture. “I pray to Lord Shri Ram to give a place to the departed soul at His feet and to provide strength to his disciples and followers to bear this sorrow,” CM added.