Police identified the deceased as Hiralal Nath, who had been staying alone in a room within the temple complex for nearly two years. Locals said he had taken a vow of silence and penance starting last week. The body was discovered when villagers, drawn by the stench, approached the temple and found the door shut. Samod police broke open the door and found Nath lying dead. DSP (Chomu) Rajesh Jangid said an inquiry was initiated and a post-mortem ordered to determine the cause and time of death. He added that no immediate signs of disturbance were found. Police shifted the body to the mortuary for post-mortem. Investigators are questioning villagers and people associated with the temple. Locals told police that Nath had sent a message to an acquaintance on Jan 27, stating that he had begun a 41-day tapasya.
