PARAVOOR: The mortal remains of Sreedharan Thanthrikal, a nationally acclaimed scholar in astrology and thanthric rituals, were consigned to flames at Sree Narayana Thanthric Research Centre near Dhakshina Mookambika Temple here on Friday. His sons Jyothish and Rakesh lit the pyre.
Thanthrikal who passed away on Thursday was considered as the final word in temple construction.
He held the position of thanthrikal in over 200 temples.
He was the first non- Brahmin Thanthrikal in the tradition of Sree Narayana Guru. Thousands including ministers, elected representatives and heads of spiritual, social and political organisations paid homage to the deceased.
Ministers K Babu and V K Ibrahim Kunju, K P Dhanapalan MP, MLAs S Sarma and V D Satheesan, Vellappally Natesan, MN Soman, Dr K S Radhakrishnan, Pannyan Raveendran, P Raju, Municipal Chairperson Valsala Prasannakumar, BJP state president V Muraleedh a r a n , K umma n a m Rajasekharan were among those who paid las t respect.
The rituals and prayers prior to the cremation ceremony were led by Sivagiri Mutt president Swamy Prakasananda in the residence of the deceased.
The mortal remains were taken to the Thantric Research Centre in a procession.
A condolence meeting was organised by the municipal council at Town Hall after the cremation.