Daijiworld Media Network – Shimoga (SP)

Shimoga, Jul 15: Sri Devendrakeerti Bhattaraka Pattacharyavarya Mahaswami (62) of Hombuja Jain Mutt in Hosanagar taluk in the district, passed away on Wednesday July 14 morning after suffering mild heart attack. Hombuja finds its place in legends, and remains a much sought after pilgrimage centre of the Jains.

The Swamiji collapsed while relieving himself. During the fall, his face hit a tap and suffered some damage. His disciples in the mutt came to know of the incident some time later, by which time, the Swamiji had breathed his last.

As soon as the news spread, thousands of devotees, policemen, Hosanagar tahsildar, Roopakala, district level officials etc., rushed to Hombuja.

The Swamiji, born to a family of royal lineage in Mulky, Dakshina Kannada, was initially named Vinay Kumar. He was born on May 25, 1949, and completed his primary schooling at Mulky and degree at DVS College, Shimoga. He had a leaning towards spirituality since a young age. After taking over as the head of Hombuja Jain Mutt, he took up the task of propagating Jainism, and undertook foreign trips 61 times. Under his guidance, over 60 Jain Basadis were set up in various countries. He instituted Kunda Vidyapeeta in Hombuja, where opportunities to study Jainism and its principles are provided to interested people.

Dr D Veerendra Heggade, Dharmasthala, state Chief Minister, B S Yeddyurappa, MP, B Y Raghavendra, state BJP president, K S Eshwarappa, MLA, K Abhyachandra Jain, former minister, K Amarnath Shetty, and hundreds of other dignitaries have condoled the death of the Swamiji. Sri Charukeerti Bhattaraka Swamiji from Moodbidri Jain Mutt rushed to Hombuja after learning about the incident, and supervised the funeral procedures.