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Jayendra Saraswathi funeral updates: Earlier in the day, Tamil Nadu governor Bhanwarilal Purohit paid his last respects to the departed soul. According to _The Indian Expres_s, several politicians including Sadananda Gowda and Pon Radhakrishnan are attending the funeral. The last rites of the Kanchi seer is taking place right now. According to reports, the abhisekham is taking place right now. After the rituals, Saraswathi will be laid to rest. Jayendra Saraswathi, who broad based the activities of the Sankara Mutt with inclusive activities, died in Kanchipuram on Wednesday in a private hospital. He was 82. The 69th pontiff of the Mutt, established by Adi Shankaracharya in the 8th century, was ailing for quite some time. He was admitted to a private hospital early on Wednesday after he complained of breathlessness. Doctors said the pontiff died following cardiac arrest. His last rites will be conducted on Thursday and his body will be interred in the Mutt premises itself in accordance with traditions followed for Hindu seers. The mortal remains of Saraswathi were kept at the Nandavanam in Kanchi mutt for devotees to offer their prayers. He would be given ‘maha samadhi’ at the Nandavanam, near the Chandrasekarendra Sarawathi Swami’s. Meanwhile, junior pontiff Vijayendra Sarawati was elevated and given the charge of heading the mutt. Born Subramaniyam Mahadevan on 18 July, 1935, in Irulneekki in erstwhile Thanjavur district, Saraswathi was anointed successor to the Mutt by Sri Chandrasekarendra Saraswathi Swamigal and was given the title Sri Jayendra Saraswathi on 22 March, 1954. [caption id=“attachment_4370571” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] File image of Jayendra Saraswathi. Wikimedia Commons[/caption] Saraswathi had a huge following in South India and had sought to play the role of a mediator in the Ram Janmabhoomi dispute during the BJP governments headed by Atal Bihari Vajpayee between 1998 and 2004. He was also mired in controversy when he was arrested in 2004 during the regime of late J Jayalalithaa and made an accused in the murder of Sankararaman, an official of the famous Varadharaja Perumal Temple in Kanchipuram. He, along with junior pontiff of the Mutt Vijayendra Saraswathi and 21 others, was acquitted by a court in 2013 in neighbouring Puducherry where the case was transferred from Tamil Nadu. Another controversy in which he was involved was in August 1987 when Saraswati suddenly decided to leave the mutt. After spending 17 days in Tala Cauvery in Kodagu in Karnataka, he returned to the Mutt to a warm welcome by thousands of devotees. He then kick-started his social organisation, Jana Kalyan. Saraswathi sought to diversify the activities of the Sankara Mutt, which was largely run on orthodox lines for long, by entering into charitable activities. It ran several schools, eye clinics and hospitals. He had his spiritual tutelage from ‘Maha Periyava’ Chandrasekarendra Saraswathi and travelled the length and breadth of the country with his guru. In January 1994, when Chandrasekharendra Saraswathi attained siddhi, Saraswathi formally took over as the head of the Kanchi Mutt. There began a spiritual journey that saw several highs and lows for the institution. As news of his death spread, a pall of gloom decended on the Kanchi mutt with hundreds of his followers thronging the mutt to pay their homage. A host of national leaders and even political leaders in Tamil Nadu, who had differences with Jayendra Saraswathi and the Mutt, condoled his demise. President Ram Nath Kovind, Vice-President Venkaiah Naidu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi were among those who expressed their condolences. Meanwhile, the mortal remains of the seer are kept in the Sankara Mutt in Kanchipuram so that people can pay homage.
Jayendra Saraswathi funeral; updates: Sadananda Gowda, Pon Radhakrishnan represent Centre at last rites
Jayendra Saraswathi, who broad based the activities of the Sankara Mutt with inclusive activities, died in Kanchipuram on Wednesday in a private hospital. He was 82.
 "Jayendra Saraswathi funeral; updates: Sadananda Gowda, Pon Radhakrishnan represent Centre at last rites")
Kanchi seer to be buried next to his guru
A Mutt official said the body of Jayendra Saraswathi will be carried later to the adjacent ‘Brindavan Annexe,’ where the mortal remains of his predecessor Sri Chandrasekerendra Saraswathi were interred in 1993, reported PTI.
Jayendra Saraswathi was jailed in 2004 in connection to a murder case
The major test of his life was when he was arrested by the Tamil Nadu police in November 2004 on the eve of Diwali over the charges of his involvement in the murder of Sankararaman, an official of the famous Varadharaja Perumal temple in Kanchipuram. Jayendra Saraswati was jailed for quite some time by the state police and later was acquitted of all the charges.
Rajinikanth condoles death of Jayendra Saraswathi
Top actor Rajinikanth on Wednesday condoled the demise of Kanchi Shankaracharya Jayendra Saraswathi.“Saraswathi’s soul had joined the divine abode. My condolences to his devotees,” he said in a tweet.
பூஜ்யஸ்ரீ ஸ்ரீ காஞ்சி பெரியவருடைய ஆத்மா பரமாத்மாவுடன் இணைந்த இந்த நாளில், அவரை இழந்து வாடும் பக்தர்களுக்கு என்னுடைய ஆழ்ந்த இரங்கல்.
— Rajinikanth (@rajinikanth) February 28, 2018
Kabaalamoksham will mark the end of final rituals
Later, rituals such as ‘Kabaalamoksham’ wherein a coconutwill be placed on the head and symbolically broken, will take place. Such rituals mark the completion of the burial, reported PTI.
DV Sadananda Gowda pays his final tribute to Jayendra Saraswathi
#KanchiSankaraMutt #JayendraSaraswati paid my Last respect to Holy Feet of Guruji with Hon'ble Governer of #Tamilnadu His Excellency Sri Banwarilal Purohit ರವರು And Union Minister Sri @PonnaarrBJP ರವರು pic.twitter.com/Yw35b1rP6f
— Sadananda Gowda (@DVSadanandGowda) March 1, 2018
Around 1 lakh devotees paid their last respects to Jayendra Saraswathi
More than 1 lakh people have taken his darshan since yesterday. At 8 am,we will start the rituals.Obituary will be done at this place only, so public can see.He will be decorated & his body will be taken to the place he has to be kept: Sundareshan, Manager of Kanchi Sankara Mutt. pic.twitter.com/Wb5zP7NmTU
— ANI (@ANI) March 1, 2018
Union ministers DV Sadananda Gowda, Pon Radhakrishnan to attend final rites
According to reports, both Union ministers will be attending the final rites of Jayendra Saraswathi as the Centre’s representatives.
Unlike other Hindus, sanyasis are buried in Hinduism
A big bamboo basket with the body in a seated posture will be taken to the annexe and lowered into a 7×7 feet burial pit. “The burial pit is ready and as soon as the body is lowered tomorrow, deities in a particular form called ‘Saligrama’ will be placed over it,” a senior mutt official in charge of the burial arrangements told PTI. The pit will be filled with herbs, including ‘Vasambu,’ salt and sandalwood.
Final rites began at 8 am
The final rituals for burying the mortal remains, called ‘Brindhavana Pravesam,’ began with an ‘abishekam’ or bath. Milk and honey were the ingredients used in the abhishekam. The ‘abishekam’, held in the main hall of the mutt, was followed by recital of Vedic hymns by priests in the presence of Sri Vijayendra Saraswathi, the junior pontiff of the Mutt and some close family members, reported PTI.
Jayendra Saraswathi was interested in societal activities unlike his guru
While Sri Chandrashekara Saraswathi Swamigal was focused on spiritual side, his junior Jayendra Saraswati was interested in societal activities as well and was also part of some controversies. As a junior pontiff, Jayendra Saraswati had left the mutt for some days without informing anybody alledgedly owing to some difference of opinion with his senior. However, later he came back to the mutt and reassumed his position, reported IANS.
Last rites continue in Kanchipuram
The 69th pontiff of the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham Jayendra Saraswathi is expected to be laid to rest beside his guru, Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswathi, media reports say.
Tamil Nadu governor Bhanwarilal Purohit pays homage
Kanchipuram: Tamil Nadu governor Banwarilal Purohit pays tribute to Kanchi Sankara Mutt head #JayendraSaraswathi who passed away yesterday. pic.twitter.com/X6DZ87Mudb
— ANI (@ANI) March 1, 2018
Devotees consider Jayendra Saraswathi modern-day Ramanujacharya
Swami Jayendra Saraswati was a colossal spiritual figure and initiated innumerable programmes for the downtrodden across the country. Although he fell foul of the law over the murder of a Kanchipuram resident before being cleared of all charges, Jayendra Saraswati had a huge following both in India and abroad. Many compared him with Ramanuja — the legendary Vaishnavite guru and a social reformer. Jayendra Saraswati, the 69th pontiff of the Sankara Mutt in Kanchipuram, was a Saivite — a follower of Lord Shiva.
This is what Kanchi mutt had tweeted on Wednesday
Brindavana Pravesha Karyakramam of HH Pujyashri Jayendra Saraswathi Shankaracharya Swamigal will be performed tomorrow ( 1 March 2018) from 8 am. Darshan can be had throughout ( including today night) till tomorrow morning.
— KanchiMatham (@KanchiMatham) February 28, 2018
Religious rites being performed right now
At the moment, priests are performing abhishekam, a ritual that involves chanting of mantras, reports The Indian Express
Telangana governor, CM condole Kanchi Shankaracharya’s demise
Andhra Pradesh and Telangana Governor ESL Narasimhan and Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao today expressed sadness at the demise of Kanchi Shankaracharya Jayendra Saraswathi.
Narasimhan in an official statement conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the countless devotees of the Jagadguru and said “it is an irreparable loss to humanity at large”.
Rao in an official statement praised the great services rendered by Jayendra Saraswathi for the development of Kanchi Peetham.\
PTI
A bit about Chandrashekarendra Saraswathi, Jayendrar’s guru
The previous Kanchi mutt head, Chandrashekarendra Saraswathi (or Periyava, as the primarily upper-caste patrons of the mutt were wont to call him) had a profile and presence that combined religious benevolence and spiritual sensitivity. He rarely spoke in public. But he was actively sought by the high and mighty of the land (including prime ministers like Indira and Rajiv Gandhi). In that sense, Kanchi mutt always had access to political levers.
Read full report _here_
Rahul expresses grief over Kanchi Shankaracharya’s demise
Congress president Rahul Gandhi expressed grief over the demise of Jayendra Saraswathi, the 69th Shankaracharya of the Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam. The 82-year-old seer passed away today morning in Kanchipuram in Tamil Nadu following a cardiac arrest.
“I’m saddened to hear about the death of Jagadguru Pujyashri Jayendra Saraswathi Shankaracharya of the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham,” Gandhi tweeted. Gandhi noted that the Shankaracharya was revered by lakhs of believers across the world for his teachings. “May his soul rest in peace,” the Congress chief said.
PTI
Jayendra Saraswathi presided over a religious festival before his Mahasamadhi
Sri Kamakshi Ambal Brahmotsavam -Kili Vahanam (Golden Parrot) pic.twitter.com/jUdUEIqz1O
— KanchiMatham (@KanchiMatham) February 27, 2018
Seer with social consciousness charted a unique path mixing piety and politics
It is debatable whether Kanchi mutt — one of the most powerful religious institutions with a history dating back 2,000 years to the times of Adi Shankara — has seen a head who was as unconventional and contentious as Jayendra Saraswathi, who passed away on Wednesday morning at the age of 82. Jayendrar was no copybook pontiff. Although the mutt is primarily a religious organisation, Jayendrar, whose character was underpinned by a strident social consciousness, had both the conviction and courage to steer the mutt into territories into which it had not ventured before.
Read more _here_
Jayendra Saraswathi had three unique qualities, reveals close associate
According to B Shridhar, a Mumbai-based devotee of the Kanchi seer, Chandrashekharendra Swamigal had observed three unique qualities in his shishya : Jan Akarshanam, Dhan Akarshanam and Jal Akarshanam. Shridhar said that Saraswathi had the ability to attract people anywhere. He added that Saraswathi’s power was such that people used to call him to places where there was drought. “He had the unique power of attracting rains anywhere. So people used to have great faith in him,” he said. Speaking about Saraswathi’s midas touch, Shridhar remarked that any public project inaugurated by the Kanchi seer used to taste success.
Visuals from Kanchi mutt
Visuals from Sankara Mutt in Kanchipuram, the Mutt's head Jayendra Saraswathi passed away, this morning. His successor Vijayendra Saraswati Swamigal (on right) also present. #TamilNadu pic.twitter.com/SEkTjgjiRC
— ANI (@ANI) February 28, 2018
BJP MP Varun Gandhi rememebers ‘father figure’ Kanchi seer
Parampujya Jagadguru Sri Jayendra Saraswathi Maharaj ji attained samadhi today as he left his physical body. He was a father figure to me: a great source of strength and guidance always, and had presided over my wedding. May he watch over all of us forever... pic.twitter.com/9pWI69jVCC
— Varun Gandhi (@varungandhi80) February 28, 2018
Rahul Gandhi tweets on Jayendra Saraswathi’s passing away
I’m saddened to hear about the death of Jagadguru Pujyashri Jayendra Saraswathi Shankaracharya of the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham.
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) February 28, 2018
He was revered by lakhs of believers all over the world for his teachings.
May his soul rest in peace.
Kanchi seer Jayendra Saraswathi was known for for his charity work
Image courtesy: KA Vishwanathan
‘Fortunate to have his blessings always’, tweets Sushma Swaraj
My respectful homage to Param Pujya Swami Jayendra Saraswati Ji who has attained mahasamadhi this morning. I was fortunate to have his blessings always.
— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) February 28, 2018
Visual from Kanchi mutt where Jayendra Saraswathi’s body is lying-in-state
Via KA Vishwanathan
RSS condoles passing away of Shankaracharya
RSS expressed deep condolences on demise of Pujya #JayendraSaraswathi Swamiji of Kanchi. 'A great loss to the Spiritual World. He was one of the greatest Spiritual Leader of our times. Condolences.': V Nagaraj, RSS Dakshin Madhya Kshetreeya Sanghachalak. pic.twitter.com/q1tK94klbe
— Friends of RSS (@friendsofrss) February 28, 2018
Next Shankaracharya Sri Vijayendra Saraswati paying last respects
Via KA Vishwanathan
O Panneerselvam pays tribute to Saraswathi
‘I was shocked to know that Kanchi seer Jayendra Saraswathi Swami died due to ill-health. I pray the Almighty for his soul to rest in peace.’
காஞ்சி மடத்தின் பீடாதிபதி திரு.ஜெயேந்திர சரஸ்வதி சுவாமி அவர்கள் உடல்நலக் குறைவால் மரணமடைந்தார் என்ற செய்தி கேட்டு மிகவும் அதிர்ச்சி அடைந்தேன். அன்னாரின் ஆத்மா சாந்தி அடைய எல்லாம் வல்ல இறைவனை வேண்டுகிறேன்.
— O Panneerselvam (@OfficeOfOPS) February 28, 2018
Jayendra Saraswathi’s relations with his guru Chandrashekarendra Swamigal
Speaking to Firstpost, B Shridhar says that Saraswathi shared an extremely cordial relationship with his guru Maha Periyava. He says that Maha Periyava was always concerned about Saraswathi and took care of him. “Swamigal used to visit Maha Periyava once a day till the day he was alive,” Shridhar says. Maha Periyava died in 1994. “Whenever, he used to narrate stories of his guru, he cried like a baby,” Shridhar remembers.
From Irulneeki to Kanchi
Born as Subramaiyam Mahadeva in Irulneeki village in Thiruvarur district in 18 July, 1935, he was named the successor to Kanchi Mutt by Sri Chandrasekarendra Saraswathi Swami and was given the title Jayendra Saraswathi on 22 March, 1954, when he was just 19. He had his spiritual tutelage from ‘Maha Periyava’ and travelled length and breadth of the country with his guru. He delivered religious discourse besides involving himself in various spiritual and social activities. Under his guidance, the mutt started several schools and hospitals.
Input from News TodayA picture from Jayendra Saraswathi’s younger days
Image courtesy: K A Vishwanathan, a Mumbai-based follower
Prominent Tamil Nadu commentator tweets on Saraswathi’s controversial legacy
#JayendraSaraswathi leaves behind a mixed legacy. His focus on starting educational institutions for poor students and his outreach programs for connecting with society were path breaking for the mutt. The Sankararaman case though indelibly marred his latter years.
— Sumanth Raman (@sumanthraman) February 28, 2018
Jayendra Saraswathi with his guru Maha Periyavar
Image courtesy: K A Vishwanathan, a Mumbai-based follower
Jayendra Saraswati wanted to resolve Ayodhya dispute too
Unlike his predecessors in Kanchi Sankara Mutt, Jayendra Saraswathi was involved in both spiritual and public life and was known for the efforts for a solution in the Ayodhya issue during the erstwhile period of Prime Minister AB Vajpayee, but it failed to fructify.
Jayendra Saraswathi chose to bring warring factions into table and wrote a series of letters to All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) and the Vishwa Hindu Parishadh (VHP) to work out a solution.
Input from News TodayTamil Nadu chief minister condoles Kanchi seer’s death
Chief Minister Edappadi Palaniswami, condoled the death of Kanchi seer Jayendra Saraswathi Swamigal. Palaniswami, in a statement here, said he was saddened to know that Jayendra Saraswathi, the 69th pontiff of the Kanchi math, passed away this morning due to ill-health. He said apart from spiritual work, Jayendra Saraswathi was actively involved in social development activities.
Input from News TodaySo far over 2,000 people have come to pay respects
“A police company has been deployed at the mutt and senior polices officers like the DIG and SP are also here supervising the security arrangements. The crowd is moving smoothly and so far more than 2,000 people have come to pay their respect,” Mugilan, DSP Kancheepuram.
Input by Ayswarya Murthy/101Reporters
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