Internationally acclaimed yoga guru BKS Iyengar, founder of Iyengar Yoga, passed away at a hospital in Pune on Wednesday.
Iyengar was 96-years-old. The yoga guru was admitted to hospital last week after he complained of breathing problem. He was then put on dialysis due to renal failure.
Iyengar, who was diagnosed with heart pumping failure, had suffered two heart attacks in 1998 and 2000. According to one of his close aides, Iyengar breathed his last around 3.15 am.
One of India’s best known yoga instructors, Iyengar was awarded the Padma Shri in 1991, the Padma Bhushan in 2002 and the Padma Vibhushan earlier this year.
Iyengar had also authored numerous books on Yoga, its practices and various techniques. He was also named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time Magazine in 2004.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also condoled the passing away of the renowned yoga guru. “I am deeply saddened to know about Yogacharya BKS Iyengar’s demise & offer my condolences to his followers all over the world,” he twitted.
