PM Modi condoled the death of Ayodhya royal head and Ram Janmabhoomi trustee Vimalendra Mohan Pratap Mishra. Mishra, 75, played a key role in Ayodhya’s cultural and spiritual life, balancing royal traditions with social causes. Leaders, saints, and citizens across India mourned his passing.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday expressed profound grief over the demise of Vimalendra Mohan Pratap Mishra, the head of the Ayodhya royal family and a permanent trustee of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. Mishra, widely respected as the custodian of Ayodhya’s cultural and spiritual heritage, passed away in Ayodhya at the age of 75.
Taking to social media platform X, the Prime Minister wrote:
“I am deeply saddened by the demise of Vimalendra Mohan Pratap Mishra Ji, a member of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust and the head of Rajsadan Ayodhya. His life was dedicated to religious and social work. I pray to Lord Shri Ram to grant him a place at his divine feet and provide strength to his grieving family and admirers. Om Shanti!”
A Life Devoted to Faith and Service
Mishra was regarded as a bridge between Ayodhya’s centuries-old traditions and the aspirations of a modern society. As the head of the Raj Sadan Ayodhya, he oversaw religious and social responsibilities that had long been associated with the royal household. His leadership not only ensured the continuation of age-old rituals tied to Lord Ram’s birthplace but also reflected a deep commitment to addressing contemporary issues in society.
His association with the Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, established in 2020 to oversee the construction of the Ram Mandir, significantly elevated his stature within the religious movement. He was formally nominated as a permanent trustee on February 5, 2020, when Prime Minister Modi announced the trust’s formation in Parliament.
As a trustee, Mishra played an influential role in guiding the trust’s activities, especially during the critical period leading up to the inauguration of the Ram Mandir in 2024, a moment that marked a historic transformation for Ayodhya.
A Custodian of Ayodhya’s Heritage
Mishra’s life was deeply intertwined with Ayodhya’s spiritual and cultural identity. The Raj Sadan, considered the symbolic royal seat of Ayodhya, carried immense influence in religious matters. Under Mishra’s stewardship, the institution retained its significance while also engaging with developmental and social welfare activities.
Despite his royal lineage, Mishra was widely admired for his humility and approachability. He was known to participate in community events, interact with saints and seers, and extend support to public causes. His vision was rooted in preserving Ayodhya’s heritage while also embracing progress in line with the city’s modern transformation.
Condolences from Across the Spectrum
Mishra’s demise drew widespread condolences from leaders, saints, and citizens alike. The President of the Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, Mahant Nritya Gopal Das, along with General Secretary Champat Rai, Treasurer Govind Devgiri, Anil Mishra, and Gopalji Rao, all expressed sorrow over the loss of their colleague and fellow trustee.
Political leaders cutting across party lines also paid tribute. Former BJP MP Vinay Katiyar, Samajwadi Party MP Awadesh Prasad, MLAs Prakash Gupta and Abhay Singh, Ayodhya Mayor Girishpati Tripathi, and former Mayor Rishikesh Upadhyay remembered Mishra as a guiding force in Ayodhya’s religious life.
Saints and Mahants of Ayodhya, including Mahant Bindugadacharya, Mahant Kamalnayan Das, Mahant Girish Das, Mahant Ramsharan Das, Mahant Awadesh Das, and others, also paid their respects, highlighting Mishra’s lifelong service to dharma and society.
A Loss Amid Historic Transition
Mishra’s passing comes just months after the demise of another permanent trustee of the trust, Kameshwar Chaupal, who passed away on February 6, 2025, in Delhi following a prolonged illness. The successive loss of two permanent trustees is being seen as a major void in the leadership of the Ram Mandir movement, particularly during a time when Ayodhya is undergoing rapid transformation.
With the Ram Mandir now standing as a symbol of India’s cultural resurgence, Mishra’s absence will be deeply felt. His contributions to religious, cultural, and social causes have left a lasting imprint on the temple town and its people.
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Mishra is survived by family members and a vast community of followers who continue to revere his dedication to Lord Ram’s legacy. His wife had passed away just last year, adding to the grief of his near ones.
As Ayodhya continues its journey as a global spiritual center, the memory of Vimalendra Mohan Pratap Mishra will remain etched in the city’s evolving narrative — as a royal custodian, a religious trustee, and above all, a servant of dharma.
