Bala Gangadharanatha Swamiji was an Indian religious leader who was the seer of Adichunchanagiri, Nagamangala Taluk, Mandya district. He was awarded Padma Bhushan, India`s third highest civilian honour for the year 2010.
Early Life of Bala Gangadharanatha Swami
Swamiji was born to Sri Chikkalinge Gowda and Smt. Boramma as Gangadharaiah. Born on January 18, 1945 in a small agricultural family he completed his schooling at his village Banandur to enter the portals of college education in Bangalore. Though he enrolled himself for a science stream , influenced by Buddhism and the life of 12th century saint reformer Basavanna he turned towards spiritualism and got enrolled himself at a Sanskrit college in Bangalore before trying his hands as a clerk in a local school. But urge in him towards spiritualism and Sanathana philosophy, made him to come closer to Ramanandanatha Swamiji the 70th head of Adichunchangiri mutt to get selected as his successor on February 12, 1968. He had five siblings - two brothers and three sisters. Sri Gangadharaiah completed his graduation in Science from Government Arts & Science College, Bengaluru. Motivated by the desire to serve God and the people, he chose the spiritual way of life.
After this, he was appointed as the mutt head on September 25, 1974 after the demise of Ramanandanatha Swamiji.Since his occupying this religious post seer who was an example in himself for the others with he himself toiling in the mutts fields with an intention to teach dignity of labour lessons to the people never looked back and initiated several welfare measures. Hitherto the mutt known for it`s religious works, got a new look after Blagangadharnath Swamiji heading it and turned it into an institution of humanity by starting educational institutions, free boarding and hostels for the community children and the poor in the society in addition to lending an helping hand to the farmers in acquiring new knowledge on the farm front.
Especially the seer`s work in the field of afforestation and health sector is unparalleled with him seeing the planting of more than 5.5 crore saplings. Seer in his speeches always made it a point to highlight the value of trees and their relevance to the survival of agriculture in this modern age. He was the first person to start a rural medical college at Belur in Mandya district when quality treatment was a dream come true for the people in villages. Seer who was decorated with doctorate degrees from couple of universities and titles by several organizations both in India and abroad was awarded the Padmabhushana in 2010 by the union government.
Initiated at the age of nineteen, Sri Swamiji spent his initial years mastering the Vedas and other sacred texts under the tutelage of his Guru Sri Ramanandanatha Swamiji.
Sri Sri Sri Balagangadharanatha Mahaswamiji took over as the 71st Pontiff of the ancient Natha Center of Worship, Sri Adichunchanagiri Math, on 24 September 1974 at the age of 30. He was of the line of Sri Bhakthanatha Swamiji, Sri Chandrashekaranatha Swamiji and Sri Ramanandanatha Swamiji of the `Natha Tradition` (Parampara).
Balagangadharanatha Swami died on 13th January 2013 due to kidney failure. He was undergoing treatment at BGS Global Hospital in Kengeri after his blood pressure went out of control during dialysis.
The mutt witnessed a revolutionary progress under his leadership with several of his flagship projects in education, religion and social service. The seer focused on providing humanitarian services including providing basic necessities like food, education and health for lakhs of people during the last four decades
