Thousands of followers of Balagangadharanatha Swamiji and people from all walks of life thronged Adichunchanagiri Shakha Mutt in Vijayanagar to pay last respects to the seer on Monday morning.
The crowd remained till the mortal remains of the seer were taken in a procession to Adichunchanagiri in Nagamangala taluk in Mandya district for the final rites at 10 am.
Later, he was laid to rest with full state honours.
Union Minister of State for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises K H Muniyappa, who paid last respects to the seer said, “Within a span of 25 years, Swamiji built many institutions and provided education and shelter to over one lakh poor students. People should respect him by following his principles and teachings.”
Siddaganga Mutt seer Shivkumara Swamiji, Ramachandrapur Mutt Seer Raghaveshwara Bharathi and Nanjavadhootha Swamiji of Patnakayanahalli were among the first to visit the Mutt to pay their last respects to the seer.
Veteran actress Leelavathi visited the Mutt with her son Vinod Raj and actress-producer Rakshitha was accompanied by her husband director Prem.
“Swamiji’s contribution to the society cannot be matched. He worked hard to provide education and medical care to the poor and planned programmes to protect the environment and deserted cattle,” Union Minister of State for Labour Mallikarjun Kharge who paid his last respects to the seer said.
Congress President Sonia, in a condolence message, said, “Swamiji had a strong sense of social responsibility. We deeply mourn his death and share the grief of the Vokkaliga community. We pray that his soul finds eternal peace.”
The traffic on Magadi Road, Sumanahalli Ring Road, Jalahalli Cross, Nelamangala and National Highway 48 was thrown out of gear as the seer’s mortal remains were taken in a procession to Adichunchanagiri in Nagamangala taluk in Mandya district on this route. As many as 1,000 policemen, along with senior police officers, were deployed to provide security.