US: Swami on fast unto death to save ashram

Swami Madanji of the Panchvati Ashram, Catskill, New York, began a fast unto death on January 30 protesting against the move to evict him from the 13-acre ashram.

'Let us see if help comes first or my death,' the swami, 72, wrote to his followers.

He had sent letters to the president earlier and a local official, John Stern, contacted him a few times to inquire about the situation and his health. When India Abroad contacted him, Stern declined to discuss the matter.

The swami remains on two cups of tea a day and regular medication and continues to live alone at the ashram.

After India Abroad published a report on the possible eviction by a bank for defaulting the mortgage, some people had sent small contributions. The bank set a January 26 deadline for his moving out of the ashram. The swami feels the bank is not ready for any compromise.

A court had given him four weeks starting December 22 to pay up $98,500 or leave.

The temple offers all the services required for Hindus from birth to cremation. The next temple is about fifty miles away in Orange County.

The temple took a line of credit for $100,000 from The First Bank of Jeffersonville mortgaging the property, but could not pay the mortgage amount.