New Bhattaraka of Hombuja Jain mutt set to take charge

This temple town in the foothills of the Sahyadri range of mountains is all set to bring the lineage of Jain Bhattarakas (pontiffs) to a full circle. On November 17, the new Bhattaraka of Hombuja Jain mutt will get a pivotal head after a gap of 17 months.

The last Bhattaraka Devendra Kirti died in June 2010, necessitating the anointment of a new Bhattaraka.

This 1300-year Jain Bhattaraka Peeta is an important link in the Jain pilgrimage circuit.

It assumes importance to devotees right from Gujarat to Maharashtra Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. Hombuja is the 10th Jain Bhattaraka Peeta in Karnataka which will now be filled up by the young Dharmakirti.

A scholar of Sadvada University of Banaras and a research scholar of doctoral degree of Mysore University, Dharmakriti has been engaged in research on Samyaka Koumudi Poetry in Kannada since 2008.

He also has a post-graduate degree in Kannada and received his basic education under the tutelage of Charukirti Bhattaraka Swamiji of Shravanabelagola of Hassan district.