Spiritual guru Bangaru Adigalar, popularly known as 'Amma' who revolutionised spiritualism in Tamil Nadu by allowing women into the sanctum sanctorum of Shakti temples, died on Thursday. He was 82 years old and passed away due to a heart attack at his residence at Melmaruvathur.
He was conferred the Padma Shri Award in 2019 for his contribution to spiritual services to the nation. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin expressed condolences on his death and stated that Adigalar's funeral will be held with state honours.
The chief minister also said that the seer had founded a hospital and educational institutions and offered several social services to the public. The Tamil Nadu CM also praised Adigalar for his revolutionary reform of allowing women to enter the sanctum sanctorum and do pujas at his temple.
Meanwhile, BJP chief JP Nadda also expressed condolences on his death and said he will be remembered forever.
"Pained to learn about the passing away of Padma Shri Bangaru Adigalar Ji, the founder of Adhiparasakthi Spiritual Movement. His simplicity and relentless devotion to the service of humanity, for which he was affectionately called Amma, will be forever remembered. My heartfelt condolences to his family members and followers in this hour of grief. May the almighty give them strength to bear this pain," Nadda wrote on X.
In a video shared by the news agency ANI, people were seen paying their last respects to Adiglar in Chengalpattu.
Bangaru Adigalar was born on March 3 in 1941 at Melmaruvathur to Gopala Naicker and Meenakshi Ammal as their second child, he was groomed to become a teacher.