A spiritual seeker from Bihar who had preached the Sanatana Dharma in India and abroad has been literally weeping on the banks of the Bhagirathi River near Gangotri for about 14 years now. looking up to the Ganga as his mother, this recluse sheds his tears into the Bhagirathi as an expression of his devotion even during the winters when the area is covered in snow.
Vedantananda lives in a furbished cave structure about a kilometer from Gangotri. Though he doesn’t generally interact with people, he mentions about his past life to those who request him to satisfy genuine curiosity.
Basant Kumar was a native of Araria district in Bihar who had developed an interest in spirituality while young, secured an MA degree but continued to experience mental disquiet. Having already decided to shun marriage, he left home in Bihar and reached Kolkata about 26 years ago. He worked with an established religious mission there but soon lost interest. He says that he also sought answers from different preachers of religion to his disquiet in vain.
Having a good command on English, Hindi and Bangala, he also visited Australia, USA and England to preach Sanatana Dharma. However, he was still not able to experience the peace he was seeking. About 14 years ago he was inspired to take refuge in Ganga and landed in Gangotri.
He says that since arriving here 14 years ago he has not thought of leaving Gangotri. Of lean built and sporting a long beard, Vedantananda says that since arriving here he has followed the same schedule every morning whatever the season. He reaches the bank of Bhagirathi in the morning and stays there shedding his tears in the river for about eight to nine hours. He says that he sheds tears out of love and devotion to Ganga.
Even during the winter when the area is covered in upto five feet of snow, he maintains this practice for which he has arranged for a ghat and other basic requirements.