2 Feb 2006 witnessed the first cremation at Mukthi Dhaam in the ashram in Bangalore by Swamiji himself.

Sri Nithya Sukalpan, an ardent devotee of Swamiji was the first person to be cremated in Mukthi Dhaam in the ashram by Swamiji. He was suffering from throat cancer for many years and came in contact with Swamiji recently during the terminal stages of the disease. On 2 Feb 2006, he entered into the last moments of his life. While the doctors were not sure when exactly he would pass away, Swamiji declared that he was relaxing and that he would pass away within a few minutes. Duly, Sukalpan passed away peacefully without any suffering, wearing a distinct smile on his face.

Sri Nithya Sukalpan is the spiritual name given to him by Swamiji during the Nithyananda Spurana Program (NSP), where Swamiji gives an assurance of a beautiful death free from past memories and karmas (unfulfilled actions). True to his name which means 'Eternally blissful', he passed away in a blissful fashion.

The members of Sukalpan's family faced the death and the ceremony with admirable dignity and calmess. They said, "Swamiji made a promise to him on a peaceful death and liberation, and he has made it happen. What more do we want? We don't feel like grieving. We are just overwhelmed at what is going on. We and our father are truly blessed."

The body was cremated in Mukthi Dhaam - the area in the ashram identified by Swamiji for the final rites of departed souls who wish to be cremated in the ashram.

Following are some of the pictures taken during the ceremony.