Swarupananda

Sri Sri Swami Swarupananda Paramhanshadev was born Bankim Chandra Gangopadhyay (nickname ‘Baltu’) on 26 December 1899 ( Birthday :: Bengali 1294 dusra mangalbar in Pous, English calendar December 1885 from a different source) in Chandpur, Dist.Chandpur in Dhaka, Bangladesh. His father, Satish Chandra Gangopadhyay, led the life of an ascetic despite the usual burdens of a householder. Mamata Devi, his mother, was instrumental in fostering the early signs of spirituality that sprouted in the initial years of little Baltu. The family known for their erudition and philanthropic activities resided at village Chandpur in the district of Chandpur. It is bounded by Munshiganj District and Comilla District on the north, Noakhali District, Lakshmipur District and Barisal District on the south, Comilla District on the east, and Meghna River, Shariatpur District and Munshiganj District on the west.

Once the country was independent, Bankim Chandra Gangopadhyay took formal vows of Sannyas on the occasion of Maha Kumbha at Haridwar from Mahamandaleshwar Jayendra Puri who named this new disciple as Akhanda Mandaleshwar Swami Swarupananda Paramhanshadev. However, his followers used to respectfully address him as 'Babamani'.

Next, Swarupanandaji plunged into what he had been nurturing since long—to found an ashram where he could shape up his ideals. After some search, he decided to set up his ashram at Pupanki, an arid forlorn village near Dhanbad in Jharkhand. A smallish dam, named 'Mangal Sagar' was built with the help of the local inhabitants in order to ensure supply of water round the year. Then came up a residential school for boys only, the Ashram building named 'Mangal Kutir', the Guesthouse and the Multiversity. The Multiversity was inaugurated on January 1, 1974 to give final shape to his long-cherished ideals.

He died on April 21, 1984.

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