CM Samrat Choudhary Pays Tribute to Devaraha Baba on Punyatithi
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary on Friday, June 19, 2026, paid homage to revered spiritual master and accomplished yogi Brahmarshi Devaraha Baba on the occasion of the saint's death anniversary, offering what he described as 'koti-koti naman' — salutations from the depths of the heart.
Context
Posting on X in Hindi, CM Choudhary wrote: 'Adhyatmik guru evam siddha yogi Brahmarshi Devaraha Baba ji ki punyatithi par unhe koti-koti naman' — 'On the death anniversary of spiritual guru and accomplished yogi Brahmarshi Devaraha Baba, I offer him countless salutations.' He further noted that the saint's 'tapasya (penance), sacrifice, spiritual consciousness and message of human welfare will continue to inspire society forever.'
The tribute was accompanied by an image and carried the hashtag #DevarahaBaba, signalling a wider public observance of the anniversary across social media.
Who Was Devaraha Baba
Brahmarshi Devaraha Baba was a celebrated 20th-century Indian ascetic and yogi widely revered across northern India, particularly in the Ganga river belt spanning Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. He was known for his decades-long tapasya on the banks of the Ganga, his messages of universal human welfare, and extraordinary claims of longevity that drew devotees from all walks of life.
He passed away in 1990, and his legacy continues to be honoured by spiritual communities, political figures, and ordinary devotees alike. His teachings centred on renunciation, inner discipline, and service to humanity — values that have kept his memory alive across generations.
Policy Backdrop
Public tributes by elected representatives to Hindu saints and ascetics on death anniversaries are a well-established practice in Indian political culture, particularly in states such as Bihar and Uttar Pradesh where religious sentiment and cultural heritage intersect closely with governance and public life.
CM Choudhary, who assumed the post of Bihar Chief Minister in 2024 as a senior BJP leader, has been consistent in acknowledging religious and cultural figures as part of his public communication. Such gestures are seen as reinforcing the ruling party's emphasis on India's spiritual heritage as a pillar of national identity.
Stakeholders and Impact
The tribute resonates most directly with the large community of Devaraha Baba's devotees spread across Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and beyond. Spiritual organisations and ashrams associated with his legacy are likely to observe the punyatithi with prayers and community gatherings.
More broadly, the statement contributes to an ongoing pattern of political leaders across parties publicly aligning with revered ascetic figures, reinforcing cultural continuity between the state government and the region's deep-rooted spiritual traditions.
What's Next
State-level cultural programmes, ashram observances, and community events marking Devaraha Baba's punyatithi are expected to draw attention in the coming days. As Bihar approaches future assembly sessions, heritage, spirituality, and cultural tourism linked to the Ganga corridor may feature in policy discussions — with figures such as Devaraha Baba serving as touchstones for the region's living spiritual legacy.