Udupi: ‘Probe on Shiroor Swamiji death if necessary’ -CM, Pejawar Swamiji dint attend funeral.
“Head Pontiff Of Karnataka’s Udupi Shiroor Mutt Dies, Poisoning Suspected”.
The seer’s ‘Brindavana’ or the final resting place was constructed at the Moola (original) Mutt where the seer had wished to be laid in rest.
A large number of devotees and people assembled to watch last rites of the seer. The late seer’s brother.
The late seer’s brother Lathavya Acharya and all other officials of the Mutt,including the Deewan, performed the last rites.Before the burial ceremony, the body was given a bath by dipping in the Swarna river that flows adjacent to the Mutt.The last rites began with an ‘Abisheka’ (bath). Milk and honey were used in the Aabisheka held in the main hall of the Mutt. It was followed by the recital of Vedic hymns by priests in the presence Vedic Pandits who chanted portions from all the four Vedas
and a special worship was held.
A big bamboo basket with the body in a seated posture was taken to the annexe and lowered into the burial pit.Saligramas were placed on the pit filled with herbs, salt, mustard and cotton.Herga Vasudev Tantri performed the rituals.A coconut was was placed on the head and was symbolically broken marking the completion of the last rites.
A Tulasi pot was placed over the burial chamber,allowing sufficient place for devotees to go around it and pay their last respects. Security was tightened in and around the Mutt premises.
Chaotic scenes were witnessed in and around the Brindhavana annexe at the end of the burial ceremony when the devotees tried to gain entry inside to take a final glimpse of the seer.The Deewan of Sode Vadiraj mutt was present on the occasion.
Karnataka’s Shiroor Mutt seer Lakshmivara Theertha Swami’s death is shrouded in mystery as the doctors who attended him are suspecting poisoning as the cause of the saint’s death.
The 55-year-old Lakshmivara Theertha Swami died at a private hospital in Manipal on Thursday.
In a statement issued from Manipal, the Kasturba Hospital said that the seer was brought to the hospital early on Wednesday from Udupi in a critical condition.
Though proper medical care was provided to him, he was declared dead at 8.30 am. There is suspicion of poisoning and toxicological samples have been sent for tests,” the statement said.
Meanwhile, the seer’s younger brother Purvasharma Acharya has also filed a complaint with the police seeking a thorough investigation.
“We have registered a case but will investigate it after we obtain the autopsy report on the cause of death,” a police official from Udupi told media persons.
Doctors treating the seer said that he was suffering from breathlessness, severe hypertension and massive gastrointestinal bleeding.
The Shiroor Mutt seer had a history of diarrhoea.
Though a team of doctors and specialists had put Swami on a ventilator, blood transfusion and dialysis, his condition deteriorated rapidly, resulting in his death,” the statement issued by the Kasturba Hospital,Superintendent Avinash Shetty,told media persons.
The seer was in the news in the past for giving his mutt’s presiding deity (Hindu god Krishna) idol to Eshapriya Theertha, a junior seer of Admar mutt, as he was indisposed and could not conduct the daily rituals.
Pejawar mutt pontiff Vishvesha Tirtha Swami has ruled out the possibilities of murder in the case of suspicious death of Shirur mutt pontiff Lakshmivara Tirtha Swami.The Pejawar mutt pontiff told reporters here on Thursday that he is saddened by the demise of Lakshmivara Tirtha Swami.I don’t have information about the food poisoning.I also don’t know where he consumed food.I was told that he suffered from liver and kidney failure,” he said.He also said that there is no possibility of murder in this case.No seer wants to be canonized murdering someone.It is unfair to make allegations against any one without a valid reason. His is a natural death,” the pontiff said.
According to mutt sources, when Swami recovered and asked the junior seer to return the idol, the seers of the ashtanga mutts refused and instead asked him to appoint a junior to take care of the Shiroor mutt.
The swami, however, declined to appoint a junior and threatened to file a case against the Admar mutt and the ashtanga seers.
Shiroor mutt and Admar mutt are part of the ashtanga mutts set up by 13th century Hindu philosopher Madhvacharya at Udupi a pilgrim town in the state`s coastal district.
Swami ascended the Paryaya Peetha for the third time in 2010, after two-year tenures during 1994-96 and 1978-80.
Amid suspicion over the seer’s sudden demise, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara had assured that a probe would be ordered in the case after the police study the autopsy report and consult with doctors who examined the seer.
State’s Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy too expressed shock and mourned the revered seer`s demise. The government would, if necessary, order an enquiry into the death of Shiroor Math seer Lakshmivara Theertha Swami,” said chief minister H D Kumaraswamy on Thursday July 19.Some people are terming it to be a suspicious death. If necessary, an enquiry will be ordered,” he told reporters who sought to know whether the government will order a probe.
Meanwhile, deputy chief minister and home minister Dr G Parameshwara too said that he will order a probe into the death. “I was shocked to hear the news of his death. He had done a good job as a seer. Some of his followers are raising questions over his sudden death. Therefore, we will order a probe,” he said.
Karnataka BJP chief BS Yeddyurappa has expressed his condolences.
Shobha karandalje BJP MP has expressed her condolences she tweeted Shocked & sad to hear about the demise of Shiroor Mutt seer Lakshmivara Tirtha Swami, a spiritual teacher who spent his whole life for giving the message of peace and humanity. My heartfelt condolences to the seer.
