Haridwar, Dec. 17 -- A Japan-based Hindu monk, Swami Adityanand Giri, has been conferred the title of Mahamandaleshwar of Shri Taponidhi Niranjani Akhada, one of the highest pontifical ranks in the Akhada tradition after the Acharya Mahamandaleshwar. The pattabhishek (anointment) ceremony was held in Haridwar on Monday in the presence of Niranjani Akhada's senior saints and office-bearers of the Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad (ABAP). Swami Giri now joins the top echelon of the Akhada order, entrusted with preserving traditions and promoting Sanathan Dharma. Before his elevation, Swami Giri held the title of Siddha Samadhi Yogi. Explaining the significance of the title, ABAP president Mahant Ravindra Puri Maharaj said the Mahamandaleshwar occupies a highly respected spiritual position. "A Mahamandaleshwar carries forward the traditions of the akharas and works to propagate spiritual and religious values as envisioned by Adi Guru Shankaracharya. We hope Swami Giri will strengthen Sanatan Dharma and the Niranjani Akhada in this direction," he said. Swami Giri said he felt honoured to receive the responsibility. "I thank the Akhada saints for placing their trust in me. I will work to strengthen Sanatan Dharma and the Niranjani Akhada and plan to organise a Dharma Sansad in Japan in the coming months," he said. Prem Ratan Giri Maharaj of the Niranjani Akhada said that before his elevation, the monk underwent rigorous spiritual discipline in November at a Sankalp Yoga Meditation Retreat at the Toyama Ashram in Japan. Dr Sunil Kumar Batra, closely associated with the Niranjani Akhada, described Swami Giri as a dynamic spiritual practitioner. He said the monk had earlier undertaken sleepless fasting samadhi at the Mahayogi Pilot Babaji Ashram in Nainital. "Under the guidance of Brahmaleen Mahamandaleshwar Pilot Baba, he survived on just one glass of milk a day during this period," Batra said. Saints present at the ceremony said the anointment reflects the growing global outreach of Indian spiritual traditions, with the Niranjani Akhada continuing to expand its presence beyond India....