Acharya Shri Vidya Sagar Ji Maharaj

Rashtrasant Acharyashree Vidyasagarji Maharaj was born on Ashwin Shukla Purnima (Sharad Purnima), 10 October 1946 in Chikkodi village of Belgaum district of Karnataka. Born in the courtyard of father- Shri Mallappaji Ashtage and mother- Shrimati Ashtage, Vidyadhar (home name Pilu) had the good fortune of becoming a disciple of Acharya Shrestha Gyansagarji Maharaj.

In the historical city of Ajmer in Rajasthan, on Ashadh Sudi Panchami Vikram Samvat 2025, at the age of about 22 years, he took the initiation of a monk by wearing a Pichhi Kamandalu to follow the religion of restraint. In Nasirabad (Ajmer), Guruvar Gyansagarji conferred the title of Acharya to disciple Vidyasagar on Mrigsar Krishna Dwitiya Samvat 2029 by giving him the Sanskar and then under the guidance of Acharyashree Vidyasagarji, he took the Sallekhana for Samadhimaran.