Kanchi seer laid to rest near his guru

Jayendra Saraswathi, the 69th pontiff of Kanchi Kamakoti Mutt who passed away a day ago was laid to rest close to his guru Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswati’s grave in the Brindavan on the mutt premises in Kancheepuram on Thursday.

The body of the 82-year-old was buried in a sitting posture as per the custom amid Vedic chants. Over three-and-half-hour ceremony began at 7.45 am with the performance of abishekam on the body of the senior Shankaracharya that was seated with folded hands in the chair and ended a grand aarti.

The necessary rituals were performed by Vijayendra Saraswati, the 70th pontiff of the Sankara Mutt and some close relatives of the late seer.  

Vijayendra Saraswati was elevated as the head of the Sankara Mutt on Wednesday soon after the death of Jayendra Saraswati. He later told the media that he would follow in the footsteps of Jayendra Saraswati, who he said was a spiritual leader who did not discriminate while blessing and helping people, irrespective of religion and caste. Jayendra Saraswati also worked for harmony among all sections, he added.

Governor Banwarilal Purohit along with Union minister Sadananda Gowda and Pon Radhakrishnan were present during the last rites ceremony.

Jayendra Sarawasti suffered breathlessness on Wednesday morning and was taken to a private hospital here in Tamil Nadu where he breathed his last.