Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (AM)
Updated
Udupi, Dec 29: Pejawar Math head Sri Vishwesha Teertha Swamiji’s mortal remains were airlifted by Indian Air Force helicopter to Bengaluru in the afternoon on Sunday, December 29. The 'Brindavana' final rites according to traditional rituals were held at the Vidyapeetha in Bengaluru in the evening. The mortal remains were kept for public viewing from 4 pm at the National College grounds.
In the state capital, several national and state leaders paid their last respects to the Swamiji.
Full state honours were accorded to Pejawar Swamiji at the Vidyapeetha in the presence of thousands of mourners.
Pejawar Swamiji's body was interned in a sitting posture at the Math's Vidyapeetha centre in the southern suburb as per his wish, amid chanting of Vedic hymns by scores of priests.
Finance minister Nirmala Seetharaman tweeted that she placed a wreaths on the mortal remains on behalf of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and home minister Amit Shah. "A saint who guided all is no more among us," she said.
Earlier, the mortal remains of the swamiji were taken in a bamboo basket to the eight centuries’ old Udupi Sri Krishna Math where a bath was given in Madhawa Sarovara (holy tank).
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 Ajjarkad stadium where a large number of public gathered. Chief minister B S Yediyurappa paid his respects to the departed seer and placed a national flag on his body, wrapped in saffron colour cloth and adorned with Tulsi garlands, even as police personnel gave a gun salute.
A host of state ministers and senior BJP and Sangh Parivar leaders were among those who offered floral tributes.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also mourned the demise of the pontiff and said he (seer) was a powerhouse of service and spirituality.
"I consider myself blessed to have got many opportunities to learn from Sri Vishvesha Teertha Swamiji. Our recent meeting, on the pious day of Guru Purnima was also a memorable one. His impeccable knowledge always stood out. My thoughts are with his countless followers," tweeted Modi on the occasion.
Noting that the Swamiji would remain in the hearts and minds of lakhs of people for whom he was always a guiding light, the Prime Minister said he was a powerhouse of service and spirituality, the seer worked for a more just and compassionate society.
Recalling that the seer led the Udupi paraya of the Astamatha tradition for the highest number of times, Yediyurappa said the swamiji was involved in social activities in addition to his spiritual practice.
"The seer's contribution to the uplift of the Hindu dharma (truth) is immortal. It is sad he did not live to witness the construction of Ram temple at Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh. May his soul attain moksha (liberation). I pray to Lord Krishna (Hindu god) to give his disciples and followers strength to bear the loss," said the chief minister in his message.
Union Minister D V Sadananda Gowda and former Union Minister Uma Bharati and BJP's Lok Sabha member from Chikkamagaluru Shobha Karandlaje paid floral tributes to the seer's embalmed body.
"The pontiff's cortege will be kept for the public homage at the National College grounds in south Bengaluru before taking it to Poornaprajna Vidyapeeth for the last rites later in the evening as per his wishes," the official said.
A guard of honour with a 21-gun salute will be accorded to the seer before his body is interned as per the mutt's tradition in the presence of Yediyurappa and other dignitaries.
Born on April 27, 1931 to M Narayanacharya and Kamalamma at Ramakujna in the state's Dakshina Kannada district, Vishwesha Teertha was ordained as a monk at the age of 8 in 1938 in the lineage of guru parampara of the Pejawar Mutt.
According to junior pontiff Vishwaprasanna, the departed guru was the only seer among 8 other Ashtra Mutts (eight mutts) who propagated the dvaita (duality) philosophy like Madhvachar, the 13th century (1238-1317) Hindu philosopher.
A paryaya means the handing over of the responsibility of running of the 800-year-old Sri Krishna Mutt/Temple and rights to worship Lord Krishna in turns of two years each among the seers of the eight mutts.
"The seer ascended the 'Paryaya peetha' here for the first time on January 18, 1952. He also performed five Paryayas - "1952-54, 1968-70, 1984-86, 2000-02, and 2016-18," said the junior pontiff who will succeed the guru soon.
Considered as a reformist by many, the seer visited Dalit colonies when it was a taboo.
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Earlier update
Udupi: People throng to get glimpse of Pejawar Swamiji one last time
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (MS)
Udupi, Dec 29: Thousands of people gathered to have the glimpse of the the mortal remains of late senior seer of Pejawar Math, Sri Vishwesha Teertha Swamiji, on Sunday, December 29.
Ajjarkad ground in the city was made ready for the public viewing of the mortal remains. Deputy Commissioner of Udupi G Jagadeesha supervised the arrangements.
Heavy police presence is there at the grounds with 750 police personnel, seven DRP and five KSRP companies keeping a tight vigil. As many as 17 CCTV cameras are installed around the grounds to monitor the activities of visitors. In addition, metal detectors are placed and fire brigade and Bomb detection squad is also present at the Ajjarkad grounds.
Many local and national leaders like CM Yediyurappa, home minister Basavaraj Bommai, Udupi MLA Raghupati Bhat, Karkala MLA Sunil Kumar, former MLA of Udupi U R Sabhapati, VHP national leader Vishnu and present at the venue.
Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa addressing media said, "The late Pejawar Swamiji was mainly responsible for the fast verdict of Ram Mandir from the court. The final rites will be completed within 5 pm at Bengaluru."
Earlier update
Udupi: Pejawar Swamiji passes away at 88, final rites in Bengaluru on Dec 29
Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (AM)
Udupi, Dec 29: Senior Swamiji of Pejawar Math here, Sri Vishweshateertha Swamiji, passed away on Sunday, December 29. He was 88.
He was admitted to Manipal Hospital here, due to respiratory problems on December 19.
The mortal remains of Swamiji will be kept for public viewing from 10 am to 1 pm at the Ajjarkad stadium. The body of Swamiji will be taken to Bengaluru later in the afternoon by helicopter. It will be kept for public viewing in Bengaluru from 4 pm at the National College grounds.
The Brindavana final rites according to traditional ritual of late Swamiji will be held at Vidyapeeta in Bengaluru in the evening on Sunday, December 29. Three-day state mourning has been announced by the state government.
Pejawar Swamiji was born at Ramakunja to a Shivalli Madhwa Brahmin family in 1931. He was ordained into Sanyasa in 1938 under guru Shri Vidyamanya Teertharu of Shri Bhandarkeri Math and Shri Palimaru Math.
He was the 32nd in the lineage of the Pejawar Math, starting from Sri Adhokshaja Teertharu, who was one of the direct disciples of Sri Madhvacharya. He was also the honorary president of Vishva Tulu Sammelana. He had also established Poornaprajna Vidyapeetha in Bengaluru, which has completed over 63 years.
During his first Paryaya in 1954, Pejawar Swamiji organized the All India Madhva Conference in Udupi. During his second Paryaya in 1968, he got the Badagumalige in Udupi repaired. During his third tenure as Paryaya Swamiji in 1984, he has got a new hall built at Udupi called Krishna Dhama. He has completed five Paryayas and only one to complete five Paryayas after Shri Vadiraja Swamiji of Sodhe Math.
He started his fifth Paryaya on January 18, 2016 and completed it on January 18, 2018.
Pejawar Swamiji has appointed Shri Vishwaprasanna Teertha, as his successor swamiji of Pejawar Math.
Earlier report
Udupi: Pejawar Swamiji shifted from hospital to Math premises
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)
Udupi, Dec 29: Sri Vishweshateertha Swamiji, head of Pejawar Math here, who has been ailing from lung infection and was being treated at KMC Hospital Manipal since the last several days during which period his condition remained serious, was shifted to Pejawar Math in the town at around 6.55 am on Sunday, December 29.
The Swamiji, who was suffering from serious breathing complications, had been admitted into the said hospital on December 20. He was under the care and treatment of a panel of expert doctors of KMC Hospital Manipal. However, there was no improvement in his condition, and his condition was deteriorating with each passing day. Therefore, as per his desire, a decision to shift him to his Math had been taken.
Under the cover of police protection, the Swamiji was taken to the Math in a special ambulance along with doctors and ventilator system today morning. Now, visit of the general public to Pejawar Math has been barred. Main door of the Match stands closed, and tight police security has been arranged around the Math premises.