Mahant Narendra Giri hails from Odisha!

Bhubaneswar: While mystery remains over the death of Mahant Narendra Giri, the chief of Akhil Bhartiya Akhara Parishad (ABAP), some villagers in Balasore district of Odisha claim Giri was born in a village under Bhogarai block.

Giri’s Odisha connections have been doing rounds after one Purna Chandra Giri, a resident of Panisandha village, claiming himself to be brother of the late Akhil Bhartiya Akhara Parishad Chief.

Purna Chandra said Narendra Giri was born in Panisandha village and was the eldest among six brothers and one sister.

“Narendra Giri left home 52 years ago after a brief quarrel with his father. However, he visited his home in the village 10 years ago. Narendra Giri asked me and other brothers to visit Ayodhya. Also, he told us that he will become a ‘Maharaja’ and not be able to visit the village again,” added Purna Chandra.

Narendra Giri had also assured us all the expenses will be taken care of during a visit to Ayodhya, said Purna Chandra.

Narendra Giri, the chief of Akhil Bhartiya Akhara Parishad, the apex body of 14 akharas, was found dead in Prayagraj on September 20 evening.

He was found hanging from a rope inside a room in the Baghambari Mutt in Daraganj area.

Based on a recommendation made by the Uttar Pradesh government, the Central Bureau Investigation (CBI) has been probing Narendra Giri’s death.