Three-day state mourning in Karnataka
Bengaluru: Sri Vishwesha Theertha Swamiji of Pejawar Math in Karnataka, one of the prominent religious leaders of South India, died on Sunday after a brief illness, math sources said.
The 88-year old swamij, who was closely associated with the VHP’s Ramjanmabhoomi movement, breathed his last at the premises of the Pejawar math in Udupi, they said.
The Karnataka government announced a three-day state mourning. His last rites will be performed at the Vidyapeetha here, founded by him, Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa said.
He was admitted to a hospital in Manipal a few days ago for breathing difficulty and his condition had been critical. On Saturday night, he suffered multi-organ failure following which he was shifted to the Pejwar Math in Udupi as per his wish expressed earlier, the sources said.
From there, the mortal remains of the swamiji were later taken in a bamboo basket to the eight centuries old Udupi Sri Krishna Math.
Born on April 27, 1931 at at Ramakunja as Venkatarama, he was initiated into asceticism on December 3, 1938 after undergoing practices to renounce worldly pleasures and to tread the path of religion.
The swamiji was hailed for his social initiatives, including visiting Dalit colonies decades ago.
He had held ‘sahabhojana’ with Dalits, which was a step to lower the voice of inequality in Hindu religion.
After a darshan of Lord Krishna, the body of the swamiji, kept in the bamboo basket was taken in a procession in an open jeep amid chants of “Govinda” “Govinda” to Ajjarakadu stadium where a large number of people gathered.
A host of state ministers and senior BJP and Sangh Parivar leaders were among those who offered floral tributes at the Ajjarakadu ground.
Later, the body was flown to Bengaluru in an Indian Air Force chopper and was taken to the National College Ground for his followers to offer their tributes.
Thousands of people flocked to the National Ground to get a last glimpse of the Swamiji.
In the evening, the body was taken in an open vehicle decked up like a chariot and bedecked with flowers, with portraits of the seer on the front and on all four sides.
It was followed by a convoy of vehicles to Vidyapeetha as thousands of people stood on both sides of the road to pay their last respects to the departed soul. (PTI)