Acharya Laxmikant Dixit, the chief priest who had performed the consecration of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, died Saturday morning.
Family members said Mr Dixit, 86, was not well for the last few days. His last rites will be conducted at Manikarnika Ghat.
Lord Ram's idol was consecrated at the Ayodhya temple on January 22 in an event led by Prime Minister Modi.
Counted among the senior scholars of Varanasi, Mr Dixit was a native of Solapur district of Maharashtra but his family has been living in Varanasi for several generations.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed grief over the death of Dixit.
In a post on 'X', he said, "The departure of Acharya Shri Laxmikant Dixit, a great scholar of Kashi and the chief priest of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Prana Pratishtha, is an irreparable loss to the spiritual and literary world." "He will always be remembered for his service to Sanskrit language and Indian culture," Adityanath said.
"I pray to Lord Shri Ram to give a place to the departed soul in his feet and give strength to his disciples and followers to bear this sorrow," he added.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Featured Video Of The Day
'Stree 2' Starring Rajkummar Rao And Shraddha Kapoor Out
Ayodhya Ram Mandir Replica To Be Part Of India Day Parade In New York Potholes On Ram Path, Leakage In Ayodhya Temple: Yogi Adityanath Cracks Whip Construction Of Entire Ram Temple To Complete By March 2025: Trust Chief Nurse Raped, Killed On Way Home, Body Found 9 Days Later In UP "Don't Expect Anything From Me": Kolkata Hospital's New Principal Loses Cool Rahul Gandhi's Seat At Red Fort Triggers Fresh Congress Attack On BJP US Approves Sale Of 600 Patriot Missiles To Germany Ceasefire Must Involve "Complete" Israeli Withdrawal From Gaza: Hamas US Delegation Led By Top Diplomat Richard Verma To Visit India Tomorrow Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.