Monday, April 25 2005 17:31 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Kolkata: President of Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission Swami Ranganathananda died at a city nursing home in Kolkata today (Apr 25, 2005), Math sources said.

He was 97.

The Swami, who was ailing for some time, was recently admitted to the nursing home. The end came at 15:51 hours (IST), the sources said.

Known for his towering intellect, Ranganathananda's avant-garde outlook, combined with deep spiritual moorings, made him a popular public figure.

At Woodlands Nursing Home, where the Swami breathed his last, hundreds of devotees flocked to pay their respects.

His body was later taken to Belur Math, the global headquarters of the Ramakrishna Mission where thousands queued up to pay their homage to the holy man.

The gates of Belur Math will be kept open throughout the night today to allow the devotees inside, RKM sources said.

The cremation will take place at Belur tomorrow at 12.30 PM, the sources added.

Many personalities, including the city mayor Subrata Mukherjee were among the early devotees to pay their respected to the Swami.

''The loss is not merely personal ... Swami Ranganathananda's death is a loss to the nation,'' Mukherjee said.