BELOVED SWAMI HARI TAKES MAHASAMADHI
The cremation ceremony was held in Malethi at a tributary of the Ganges. Family and friends from the ashram, HIHT, and from all around the world were there. When Swami Hari's body was placed on the ghat, a snake came and viewed the body before the pyre was lit.
Swami Hariharanandaji, a disciple of Swami Rama, who lived at Tarakeshwara for over a decade and was known for his joyful laughter and wonderful stories, and for his sincere attention and care for students, left his body approximately 3:30 AM on Sunday in India. Swamiji had been very ill for weeks with respiratory crisis and was in Jolly Grant hospital at the time.
Kani Ilangovan, attended Swami Hari's darshan at Rishikesh and cremation ceremony in Malethi, and sent in this report:
Although we unfortunately did not get to see Swami Hari before he left his body, we rode to Tarakeshwar with one of his students Roya, who was with Swami Hari during his last hours. She said that he was very joyful, laughing frequently, and said that Baba was with him. She said that Swamiji was embodying his frequent saying "laugh in life, laugh in death."
Swami Hari's work in Malethi is really awe-inspiring. He created a free vocational educational center for the Gahrwali men and women, a B.A. College for women, a public school for kids K-5, and a meditation center. He also has buses to transport the students to and from school from more remote areas. The Malethi Center is located on the lush mountainside and must have been incredibly difficult to construct as it is built on a steep slope. It is amazing how much he accomplished in such a short time.
Swami Hari was truly an exceptional, loving, gifted, generous, joyful human being and we are all so fortunate to have known him.
No doubt, all who Swami Hari touched with his humour, kindness, and love hold a special place in their hearts for him.