27.10.2026 

A Life Dedicated to Divine Service. In Loving Memory of Shri Jaidev Acharya

Nearly six months have passed since that day in May when Shri Jaidev Acharya, a venerable priest (pujari) of an ancient Krishna temple and one of the oldest and most deeply revered residents of the Kullu Valley, left this earthly world. It feels as though there is not a single soul in the Valley of the Gods who did not feel a profound sense of sorrow and loss upon hearing of the Pujari’s passing. During the vibrant days of the Roerich October Culture Festival at the International Roerich Memorial Trust, the absence of this wise, radiant man — who for many years performed sacred rituals at the Memorial Estate of the Roerich family — was felt with particular poignancy.

Shri Jaidev Acharya was born on November 25, 1938, in the Kullu Valley in the state of Himachal Pradesh, into a family of hereditary Brahmins, members of the highest priestly caste. From early childhood, he showed deep spiritual inclinations, and at the tender age of five, he was entrusted to a spiritual preceptor (guru) for upbringing and education. Under his guru’s guidance, he immersed himself in the study of sacred scriptures, rituals, and the traditions of Sanatana Dharma — the "Eternal Way" (Sanskrit), founded on timeless spiritual principles and universal laws.

At just eight years old, Jaidev Acharya was appointed as the Purohit of the ancient Tripura Sundari Temple in Naggar (purohit refers to a hereditary priest who conducts daily temple services and performs religious rites for parishioners). Even in his youth, his sincerity, discipline, and profound devotion earned him great respect. At the age of thirteen, he was entrusted with the sacred responsibility of serving as the head priest of the ancient Krishna Temple. Located a few kilometers from the Roerich Estate, in the village of Thawa, the temple stands on a hilltop overlooking Naggar. It is also known as the Murlidhar Temple, dedicated to Krishna holding the flute. The Pujari faithfully continued this service for more than seven decades.

Beyond his lifelong service at the Krishna-Murlidhar Temple, Shri Jaidev Acharya also performed the duties of a Purohit at the shrine of the deity Vasuki Naga in the village of Halan, was the chief Purohit at the temples of the goddess Tripura Sundari, the goddess Kali, and other temples in Naggar. Guided by his profound knowledge of sacred traditions and steadfast commitment to his calling, he guided the faithful and conducted countless religious rites, preserving the region's spiritual heritage for future generations.

His service extended far beyond religious duties. He also served as the secretary of the Naggar Agricultural Cooperative, an organization founded by his father in 1925. In this role, he contributed to the welfare and prosperity of the local community with the very same sincerity that defined his spiritual life.

"For more than seventy-five years, Shri Jaidev Acharya offered every prayer, every ritual, and every act of service at the lotus feet of Lord Murlidhar," shares Veena Acharya, the Pujari’s daughter. "His life was a shining example of humility, devotion, discipline, and complete surrender to the Divine. Having spent his entire life in worship and service to Lord Murlidhar, he left behind a legacy of faith, wisdom, and selfless devotion that will continue to inspire generations to come."

According to Veena Acharya, a unique chapter in the life of Shri Jaidev Acharya was his connection with the family of the prominent Russian artist, philosopher, and explorer Nicholas Roerich. The Pujari’s parents shared a close friendship with Nicholas Roerich himself and his family members during the years the Roerichs lived in the Kullu Valley. Later, after the Roerich family left Kullu, the bond with the Pujari was sustained by Svetoslav Roerich and his wife, Devika Rani. Built on mutual respect and spiritual understanding, this connection reflected the deep cultural and spiritual ties that united the people of Kullu with the Roerich family and their enduring legacy.

This profound inner thread was never broken in the decades that followed. For the staff and guests of the International Roerich Memorial Trust, Shri Jaidev Acharya became a deeply cherished figure and a living symbol of the preservation of traditions. The Pujari invariably inaugurated all cultural festivals at the IRMT, blessed the monuments to the members of the Roerich family, and performed sacred pujas, filling the estate grounds with high spiritual vibrations and heartfelt warmth.

…Shri Jaidev Acharya left this earthly world on May 5, 2026. Just a few days prior to his passing, on May 1st — the opening day of the spring Roerich Culture Festival at the IRMT — the revered Jaidev Acharya had, as was tradition, conducted a sacred ritual near the Roerich House, beneath the four-trunked Himalayan pine where stone icons of the Kullu Valley deities, once collected by the Roerichs, are enshrined. The Pujari then blessed the flag-hoisting ceremony for the national flags of India and Russia, alongside the Banner of Peace. Afterward, he said his goodbyes, mentioning he needed to perform a puja at the temple. A few days later, word arrived that the venerable priest was no longer with us on this earth…

Five months later, on Nicholas Roerich’s birthday, October 9th, the puja at the Samadhi of the Russian artist was conducted for the first time by Shri Jaidev Acharya’s son, the young pujari Neeraj Acharya. Assuming the sacred responsibilities from his revered father, he carried forward the lineage of spiritual continuity that traces its roots deep into the past of the Kullu Valley. As the flames of the sacred fire rose high, accompanied by prayers, it felt as if Shri Jaidev Acharya himself was present among us, continuing to unite the hearts of the gathered Russian and Indian guests through his sincere prayers, inner warmth, and profound faith…

Blessed memory to the revered Pujari, one of the true guardians of the Kullu Valley! Though his physical presence is no longer with us, his spirit lives on in the sacred temples he served, the prayers he offered, and the hearts of the countless people whose lives he touched. His invisible blessing will remain with us forever, under the canopy of Himalayan pines and deodars, within the space of the protected Roerich Estate, of which Shri Jaidev Acharya will eternally remain one of the spiritual guardians.

As is said in India, “Om Shanti Shanti Shanti…”