--Coronation held amid presence of country’s top seers: Sri Kadamba Bihari Das Maharaj assumed as Mahant of Sri Syam Sundar Mutt here in Puri on Sunday. As per customs and traditions of Vaisnavite cult, Das was awarded Anga-Bastra of Lord Sri Jagannath and was declared Mahant in a grand religious ceremony amid hymns of the Vedas by students.
The Anga-Bastra, a garment of Lord Jagannath, is accorded to be the consent of the Lords. Seers and Mahants of mutts and hermitages across the country had attended the function on invitation.
Declaration of chief of the mutt was necessitated as the top seat was lying vacant due to the passing away of the old seer. Demise of the old seer was causing problems in management and religious affair of the mutt. As per his wish, before the death of the old seer, Bihari being a senior disciple of the late seer was declared the new chief.
Sri Syam Sundar Mutt, situated close to the sea beach, is a branch of Sata-Asan Mutt, a chain of seven mutts of Puri. It belongs to the tradition of Sri Madhi-Gaudeswar Vaisnav cult and has many branches in the country. In the ceremony, president of Chatuh Sampray Dr Ramachanran Das, vice-president Ramakrusna Das, secretary Subal Das Maharaj, Sukhram Das, Srinibas Das, Charan Das, Gopal Das, Harinaayan Das, besides eminent persons and dignitaries, were present to greet the new seer.
