12 Years at 21 Degrees Below Zero

For over 12 years the preserved body of spiritual leader Ashutosh Maharaj has remained frozen at sub zero temperatures yet the devotion of his followers has not waned in fact it has grown What began as a decision by temple authorities to preserve his remains has since become a symbol of continuing faith ritual reverence and controversy that blurs the lines between religion and mortality

Ashutosh Maharaj founder of the Divya Jyoti Jagrati Sansthan passed away in 2014 Instead of traditional cremation or burial his body was placed in a specially designed facility and kept at minus 21 degrees Celsius a practice followers believe will allow for a future resurrection or spiritual return

Why the Body Was Frozen

According to devotees Maharaj had expressed a wish not to be cremated Freezing was seen as a way to preserve his physical form until eventual spiritual fulfillment Followers believe his teachings continue to guide them. The refrigeration chamber maintained by temple authorities near Hisar Haryana has become a kind of shrine where devotees continue to visit meditate and pay respects

Rituals Reverence and Daily Devotion

Despite the unconventional practice the community has maintained active worship including

Daily prayer sessions at the preservation facility
Seasonal celebrations commemorating Maharaj’s life
Pilgrimages to the site by followers from across India
Distribution of spiritual literature and online satsangs

For many devotees the preserved body is more than a relic it is a living embodiment of Maharaj’s teachings sustaining devotion years after his physical passing

Legal and Ethical Controversy
Civil rights activists and legal observers have raised questions about
Consent and medical ethics
Whether freezing a human corpse violates Indian law
Rights of family members versus institutional authority

In 2016 the Punjab and Haryana High Court ordered a post mortem but the temple trustees resisted citing religious freedom Maharaj’s spiritual wishes and fear of desecration

Science Meets Spirituality

Medical experts acknowledge that while cryopreservation of human tissue is scientifically possible large scale preservation of a whole body remains experimental and controversial

Critics say

There is no scientific evidence of future revival. The practice is driven more by belief than biology Supporters argue. Spiritual traditions often transcend scientific explanations Faith provides psychological meaning for followers. Devotion That Defies Doubt Followers continue to Organise group meditations at the preservation site Hold annual commemorative festivals Share his teachings online with new generations

A Faith That Continues

Twelve years later the body remains preserved and the institution remains active Whether viewed as spiritual miracle religious tradition or legal controversy the story continues to spark discussion

Why This Matters

The phenomenon raises broader questions about