A highly respected and much-loved Hindu priest from Blackburn who lived through partition and was said to have watched Gandhi speak, has died.

Madhusudan Dave was also involved in anti-British demonstrations as a teenager in India.

Fiercely independent Mr Dave lived on Billinge Avenue and up until recent months he could still be seen taking the bus to carry out his daily chores. 

Born in 1924 and originally from Mombasa, Kenya, Mr Dave came to the UK in 1973 and officiated hundreds of religious rituals in temples in the region. His services were required not only in Lancashire but other parts of the north west.

His earlier life helped to define Mr Dave who was a college student living in Ahmadabad during the Second World War.

In 1942 he recollected being beaten and arrested by the British army after he joined demonstrations to support the efforts of Mahatma Gandhi, someone he also remarkably heard speaking at a gathering.

In an interview in 2007 he was quoted as saying, “British soldiers beat me and others. I did want to fight back but that would have gone against what Gandhi taught us all. 

“Many will know Gandhi founded the Satyagraha Ashram on the outskirts of Ahmadabad and because of this many leaders such as Maullana Desai and Nehru would visit the area.”

Lancashire Telegraph: Mr Dave was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award in Blackburn in 2017Mr Dave was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award in Blackburn in 2017 (Image: Mr Dave was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award in Blackburn in 2017)

In the fifties he trained as a journalist and worked on amongst others the Sabar Kanatta Samarchar and Sandesh (news). He held roles as a proof reader, Tele-printer translator and wrote articles. When he travelled back to Mombassa he was employed at the Kenya Daily Mail.

On arriving in Blackburn in the seventies, like many first generation Asians, he worked in the local mills and joined the towns Hindu Centre in 1974 as secretary. 

Then as a Brahmin he was asked to perform weddings. As time went on he became the focal point for communities and says he was blessed to be able to perform funeral rites.

Despite his age Mr Dave was still willing to perform religious duties whenever he could.

Lancashire Telegraph: Tributes had been conducting religious ceremonies for close to 50 years in the UK Tributes had been conducting religious ceremonies for close to 50 years in the UK (Image: Tributes had been conducting religious ceremonies for close to 50 years in the UK)

Ishwer Tailor, President of the Gujarat Hindu Society said: "The members of the Gujarat Hindu Society were saddened to hear the news of passing away of Madhusudan Dave who was a life member of the society.

"Mr Dave was a scholar in Hindu philosophy and also practiced his religion thoroughly During the beginning of the society he has made contribution by doing Sewa in mandir. He has always supported mandir activities.

"His daughter Aditi worked at the centre for many years Dave family has made full contribution to the temple and will greatly be missed.

"We will remember him as a stalwart of the community and will greatly be missed

"We pray to Lord Krishna to rest his soul in peace and give his family strength to overcome the loss of their beloved father and grand father. Om shanti shanti shanti."

Ashok Chudasama of the Blackburn Hindu Centre said: “He was truly a wonderful person who was known for going out of his way to assist anyone in the community.

“He has given his life to the services of the people and we will not forget this.

“We are really indebted to him for his sacrifices and dedication and keeping the religious and cultural traditions of the community going.

“He was keen to help those who could not afford to have ceremonies and always stepped in to assist.”

Kailash Parekh from the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Preston said Mr Dave had conducted her wedding ceremony 43 years ago.

She said: “Dave kaka was a great person, lived his life to the full in the service of others. His beautiful smile touched the hearts of many. He will be missed by all the community.

“Dave kaka married me 43 years ago and he always sent me an anniversary card every year with beautiful blessings written in his own handwriting. It was so sweet!”

Mr Dave was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2017 at the Fusion Awards at King George's Hall, in front of 400 guests.