Durga Charan Mohanty
Durga Charan Mohanty (Odia:ଦୁର୍ଗାଚରଣ ମହାନ୍ତି, (1912–1985) was an Odia Indian spiritual writer born in 1912 at Biratunga, a village under block Gop, near Konark, Odisha. The Odia Sahitya Akademi has been awarded to him in 1956–58 due to his active involvement in development of Odia language and literature Being a disciple of Swami Nigamananda, he wrote many books and translated Nigamananda's own-written Bengali books to Odia language. He was ପରିଚାଳକ (Secretary/Parichalaka) of ନୀଳାଚଳ ସାରସ୍ୱତ ସଂଘ (Nilachala Saraswata Sangha). Family. His father Gunanidhi Mohanty was a Jamindar and mother "Sundarmani Mohanty" was President of Nilachala  Saraswata Sangha (Women Association). Spiritual career. After reading Yogiguru (योगीगुरु) and Premikaguru (प्रेमिकगुरु) respectively, authored by Swami Nigamananda, at Raghunandanan Library, Puri, the "vigraha"(portrait) of Swami Nigamananda present in the books attracted him very much. At the same time he began worshiping this portrait and considered Nigamananda as his spiritual master and revered God. He began to search Nigamananda and finally met him in Nilachala Kutir Puri on 20 March 1930, Thursday. At that time he was only seventeen years old and a student of class IX in Puri district School. On first meeting he was overwhelmed by his appearance  and realised Nigamananda as Ishwar. Since that day, he became a regular visitor to Nilachala Kutir for his darshan. He used to note down guru Nigamananda's sayings(upadesh), later he published these "upadesh"(gospels)in books like Nilachala Vani and Nigama Upadesh. Subsequently, he wrote many books for Nilachala Saraswata Sangha and translated Nigamananda's originally written Bengali books, ବ୍ରହ୍ମଚର୍ୟ ସାଧନା(Brahamcharya Sadhana), ଯୋଗୀଗୁରୁ(Yogi Guru), ଜ୍ଞାନୀ ଗୁରୁ(Gyani Guru), ତାନ୍ତ୍ରିକ ଗୁରୁ(Tantrika Guru), and ପ୍ରେମିକଗୁରୁ(Premika Guru), into Odia language. On Trilochan Ashtami, 5 June 1934, he was initiated as disciples of Swami Nigamananda. Being a disciple of Nigamananda, Mohanty spent his entire life on his  service. Due to Mohanty's pioneer efforts over a hundred Nigamananda Ashrams were established and survive in Odisha. He continued to preach Nigamananda's philosophy till he left his physical body on 7 December 1985 at Biratunga. Books on Durga Charan Mohanty. The following books in Odia are published by Nilachala Saraswata Sangha on Durga Charan Mohanty's life, works, achievements : + ପରିଚାଳକଙ୍କ ବାଣୀ (Parichalakanka Bani) – By Banchhanidhi Mishra The High School, Saraswata Bidyapitha was established by him in 1964 at Biratunga his own village. The series of books written/translated by him for Nilachala Saraswata Sangha in Odia are  listed here: Works. Odia Sahitya Akademi winner book "Bhagwan Shankaracharya" written by Durga Charan Mohanty Honors. Sri Durga Charan Mohanty was awarded with the prestigious Oriya Sahitya Akademi award ( an award given for working actively for the development of Oriya language and literature) by Oriya Sahitya Akademi for his outstanding contribution in the form of a written book Bhagawan Sankaracharya which was published in 1956–58. Social activities. According to few sources, he was also a notable social leader in Odisha. News and updates. Nilachala Saraswata Sangha celebrated 100th Birthday of Sri Durga Charan Mohanty with much fervor and spiritual enthusiasm  on 9 November 2011 with approximate 3500 Nigamananda devotees at Biratunga. This function is started on 9 November 2011 and said to be continued till November 2012.