UDUPI: Sri Lakshmivara Theertha of Sri Shiroor Mutt, Udupi passed away in the wee hours of Thursday. He was 54.
The Seer was ill since morning on Wednesday and he was admitted to Kasturba Hospital, Manipal. His condition was critical later in the evening. He was suffering from breathing problem (asthma).
Sri Laxmivarateertha Swamiji was born in 1964. He received his 'Sanyasa' in the year 1971. During his first Paryaya (1978-80), he renovated the main entrance of Sri Krishna Mutt and during his second paryaya, the decoration done by him on the idol of the Sri Krishna idols in several ways, had attracted devotees.
Sri Lakshmivara Theertha was the center of controversies after he expressed his interest to file the nomination papers in the recently held state assembly election from Udupi constituency. However, he had backed out from poll race citing the reason that he was convinced by the Central BJP leaders not to contest and that he himself had acknowledged the work of PM Narendra Modi.
Another controversy surrounded him when he made allegations against pontiffs of other seven mutts in Udupi that had gone viral on social media. Later Shiroor Seer had clarified that it was a morphed video that was aired by a Kannada TV channel in which Shiroor Seer was heard saying he and pontiffs of other mutts have children.
Spiritual heads of the Mutts in Udupi had opposed the statement of Shiroor Seer and had said that the way in which Shiroor Seer conducted himself in various matters does not go down well with the high tradition the spiritual heads of the Mutts in Udupi.
Pontiffs of other mutts had also taken a decision not to return the idol of the presiding deity of Shiroor Mutt, which is currently in Sri Krishna Mutt, to Sri Lakshmivara Theertha unless he appoints a disciple as his successor. Shiroor Seer had recently handed over the idol of presiding deity of Shiroor Mutt on the ground that he was not keeping well for a few days.
Shiroor Seer had recently told that he would file a complaint against the Seer of other mutts for not returning the idol of presiding deity of Sri Shiroor Mutt.Shiroor Seer was known as the Seer of common people.
Every year during the Krishna Janmastami celebrations in Udupi, Sri Lakshmivara Theertha spent a good amount of money on the tiger dance troupes by garlanding them with currency notes. He always motivated the tiger dance performers by spending about Rs 6 to 8 lakh.
The premises of Shiroor mutt used to be busy as volunteers prepared the garlands of notes on the occasion of Krishna Janmastami. Shiroor Seer used to play drums very well. He was a good swimmer too. He used to train many of the youths to learn swimming in Madhwa Sarover (pond) of Sri Krishna Mutt.Ends