Ardh Kumbh sanyasi dies during procession

Varanasi, Feb 8 (UNI) An Ardh Kumbh returnee sanyasi died of heart attack after being hurt by an elephant during the 'peshwai' procession of Juna Akhara here today.

Sri Panch Dashnam Juna Akhara secretary Sri Mahant Prem Giri told newspersons here Sri Mahant Bhaskaranand Giri associated with Ramata Panch of Juna Akhara died of a heart attack after being hurt by an elephant during the procession in Bhelupur area.

The sanyasi, hailing from Gujarat, would be placed into a 'bhoomi samdhi' later this evening at Sri Japeshwar Mahadev Mutt here.

Eye witnesses, however, maintained the sanyasi was trampled to death by the agitated elephant, after he stepped down from the seat atop the same tusker to avoid an overhead electric cable.

Getting the information, general secretary of Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad (ABAP) -- apex body of the 13 akharas -- Mahant Hari Giri and police rushed to the spot.

UNI