VADODARA, July 4, 2013: Spiritual leader Kevalanandji Maharaj, who had a big following in the region, passed away in the city on Wednesday morning.

The sage, who was camping at Bhailal Amin General Hospital since years, had stopped consuming food and water, since over a fortnight.

A large number of devotees including the rich and the poor gathered at the hospital premises after hearing the news of the sage's demise at around 5.30 am.

The final rites were held at the Wadi Wadi crematorium.

Born in Hisar, Rajasthan, Kevalanandji had left his home town for Khandva in Madhya Pradesh at the age of nine.

According to his devotees, from Madhya Pradesh, he left for Gujarat at the age of 19 and since that time he had made Vadodara his home where he was fondly called 'Bapji' and was also known as 'Khandvawala baba'.

In the later part of his life, he spent time at a small house at Painter Tanaji lane in old city and at Bhailal Amin General Hospital where room number 115 was specially dedicated to him.

Even as he had high profile individuals including politicians across party lines and industrialists as devotees, the spiritual leader was known for his simple lifestyle.

"He neither propagated any sect nor believed in constructing ashrams. He would refuse any monetary help and neither did he believe in any mantra-tantra. He used to enjoy 'bhajan' and 'satsang'," his disciple Harshad Bapa said.
 

Source: The Times of India, DT. July 4, 2013.