Pejawar Math head Sri Vishwesha Theertha Swamiji, one of the prominent religious leaders of south India and a prominent face of the VHP’s Ram janmabhoomi movement, breathed his last at the Pejawar math in Udupi on Sunday after a brief illness.
Swamiji was strongly rooted in Hindu causes, yet he projected himself as a liberal face and boldly organised Iftar for the Muslims during Ramzan on the ancient Sri Krishna math complex in Udupi.
A host of State Ministers and senior BJP and Sangh Parivar leaders were among thousands who offered floral tributes to Swamiji. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, senior BJP leader LK Advani and Yediyurappa condoled the death of the seer, who was the 33rd swamiji in the lineage of the Pejawar Math heads.
The Karnataka Government has announced a three-day state mourning.
The last rites of the seer will be performed at the Vidyapeetha in Bengaluru, founded by him, Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa said.
Vishwesha Theertha, the most senior pontiff of the Ashta (eight) maths here established by Dvaita philosopher Sri Madhwacharya 800 years ago, was admitted to KMC Hospital in nearby Manipal with respiratory problems on December 19.
On Saturday night, he suffered multi-organ failure following which he was shifted to the Pejwar Math here as per his wish expressed earlier, the sources said.
From there, 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 Ajjarjad stadium where a large number of public gathered.
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.
“Udupi will remain in the hearts and minds of lakhs of people for whom he was always a guiding light. A powerhouse of service and spirituality, he continuously worked for a more just and compassionate society. Om Shanti,” Modi tweeted, condoling the death of the swamiji.
Yediyurappa said: “Hindu religion has lost a major guide in the passing away of the seer.”
He had held ‘sahabhojana’ with Dalits, which was a step to lower the voice of inequality in Hindu religion.
“His contribution to the upliftment of Hindu dharma is immortal. It is saddening that he did not live to witness the construction of Ram mandir in Ayodhya,” the CM said in his message.
Math sources aid the body of the swamiji will be airlifted to Bengaluru later in the afternoon where it would be kept for public viewing from 4 pm at the National College grounds.
The ‘Brindavana’ final rites according to traditional rituals will be held at the Vidyapeeta in Bengaluru in the evening. Pejawar Swamiji was born at Ramakunja to a Shivalli Madhwa Brahmin family on April 27, 1931.
He was ordained into Sanyasa in 1938 under guru Sri Vidyamanya Tirtharu of Shri Bhandarkeri Mutt and Palimaru Mutt. He was the 32nd in the lineage of the Pejawar Mutt, starting from Sri Adhokshaja Tirtharu, who was one of the direct disciples of Sri Madhvacharya.
Vishwesha Theertha had completed five Paryaya titles in Udupi Sri Krishna temple starting from 1954 and the only Swamiji to complete five Paryayas after Shri Vadiraja Swamiji of Sode Mutt. He started his fifth Paryaya on January 18, 2016 and completed it on January 18, 2018.
The ‘Paryaya’ system denotes transfer of power of exclusive rights of worshipping the presiding deity at the famous Lord Krishna temple here and management of Sri Krishna Mutt from one seer to another of the Astha (eight) Mutts once in two years by turns.
The swamiji, who took an active part in the Ram janmabhoomi movement, was hailed for his social initiatives, including visiting Dalit colonies decades ago.