Vrindavan, India – In a shocking and saddening turn of events, world-famous kirtaniya and beloved Krishna devotee Aindra Dasa was found to have passed away on the morning of Saturday, July 17, at approximately 8 am India time, in his room at ISKCON's Krishna Balarama temple in the sacred town of Vrindavana.

While details are not yet known, initial reports suggest that Aindra may have passed away due to an accidental gas leak in his room. Witnesses from the temple there reported that when Aindra did not appear at the temple for the morning services – as he ordinarily did – concerned devotees went to investigate in his room. There, they discovered that he had passed away at some point earlier.

News began to filter around the world almost instantaneously, largely through the use of popular social networking sites Facebook and Twitter. Condolence messages began to appear on Facebook within an hour of the discovery, including messages from popular ISKCON kirtaniyas Acyuta Gopi Devi Dasi and B.B. Govinda Swami.

Additionally, some devotees in the west learned of the news through Canadian devotee Sanatana Rsi Dasa, whose father serves as a chowkidhar (caretaker) at the Krishna Balarama temple and was part of the team who discovered Aindra Prabhu's body.

An American-born disciple of ISKCON's founder-acarya Srila Prabhupada, Aindra moved to Vrindavana in the 1980s and was best known for his commitment to and love of kirtana chanting of the Hare Krishna maha-mantra. He was largely recognized as the heart and soul of the famous 24 Hour Kirtan Mandali in Vrindavana, and over the years his name became synonymous with deep, soulful chanting. Aspiring kirtaniyas and admirers traveled from around the world for the opportunity to chant with him and bask in his personal presence. He was also known for his scholarship in the realm of Gaudiya Vaishnava theology, expertise in deity worship, and exemplary spiritual practice.

From this ISKCON news site.

Update 17 July

He was alone in his room worshiping His beloved Deities when apparently there was a gas leak from his cylinder. Some devotees heard a sound and there was some smell, but no one knew from where it came. Devotees knocked on Aindra’s door, but there was no response all night. His door is very thick, and there is one trap door in it. In the morning when Aindra prabhu didn’t come to the temple to dress Sri Sri Radha Shyamasundara, the devotees then could understand that something serious had happened. With difficulty they broke open the trap door, and only one devotee, Adi Kesava Das, was small enough to enter the room. When he entered he saw that the entire room was black and there was in disturbance everywhere. It appeared that Aindra might have lit a match in the room and that caused the gas in the air to ignite and burn the room. Aindra was behind the altar. It looked as if he had tried to open the window, but was unsuccessful, so he offered his obeisances behind Sri Sri Gaura Nitai, and left his body in that position. When Adi Kesava found him, Aindra was already long gone, and his body was still offering obeisances.

Update 18 July, morning

After the news of Aindra’s leaving his body so many devotees have come to pay their respects and obeisances to him. Devotees sat around his body performing ecstatic kirtan which has been going on in front of his room, where his body is laying since this morning. Also all the gurukula children are performing kirtan in the gurukula garden. The management is just now sorting out the legal matters with the local authorities. It will take some time to finish all the governmental proceedings, but we hope that by 4pm everything will be cleared from that side. Devotees from all over the world are calling, offering their heartfelt feelings for Aindra Prabhu. Many devotees from Delhi, Mumbai and different parts of the country are coming to Vrindavan trying to reach on time for the procession.

After the 16:30 arati of the Deities we are planning to take Aindra Prabhu’s body on procession around the temple, three times, and then proceed to the Yamuna with kirtan for cremation. He had previously mentioned that after his leaving his body he wanted his body to be cremated at the Yamuna and also that some of the ashes be put near his Deities in his room, which will be maintained as a memorial. We will inform you later with more details as they become available. The day after tomorrow Monday July 19th there will be a smriti sabha, a gathering to glorify His Grace Aindra Prabhu who has suddenly departed, such a wonderful devotee. The ceremony will be from 8am till noon and after that there will be a feast served to all the devotees.