Lucknow: The president of Ram Janambhoomi Trust Mahant Nritya Gopal Das was admitted to Medanta hospital in Uttar Pradesh after he complained of chest pain and breathlessness. Das had tested positive for COVID-19 on August 7, two days after the ground-breaking ceremony of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. He had shared the dias with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other dignitaries during the Ram Mandir Bhoomi Pujan.
According to officials, the health of Nritya Gopal Das deteriorated on Monday following which district administration was alerted. A team of doctors along with Ayodhya District Magistrate Dr Anuj Kumar Jha reached Maniram Chawni (the high seat of saints and residence of the mahant), checked his health and referred him to Medanta Hospital in Lucknow.
Talking to ETV Bharat, Jha said, "After Nritya Gopal Das contracted the virus, he was staying in his Ashram. But, he was facing some or the other issue and on Monday, his blood pressure dropped low after which he was rushed to Medanta Hospital. However, he will be discharged after two days."
READ: Ram Janmabhoomi Trust Chief tests Covid positive
Earlier in August too, Nritya Gopal Das was admitted to Medanta Hospital after he tested positive for the COVID-19 infection. The priest had attended Janmashtami celebrations at Sri Krishna Janmabhoomi in Mathura’s Deeg Marg and performed rituals with fellow priests.
A prominent figure in Ayodhya, Mahant Nritya Gopal Das is the pithadhishwar (head) of the city's largest temple, the Mani Ram Das Ki Chavani, and the head of Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas. Das is also credited with building many important temples in Ayodhya.