Sri Vishvotham Thirtha Swamiji passes away

Udupi, Aug 18 (UNI) Sri Vishvotham Thirtha Swamiji of Sri Sode Vadiraja Mutt, one of the prominent Asta Mutt (eight mutts) of Udupi, died of a heart attack at Sonda in Sirsi taluk of Uttar Kannada district today.

According to mutt sources here, Swamiji (74), who was observing 'Chathurmasya Vratha' at his mutt at Sonda, after performing pooja and taking lunch at the mutt, complained of a chest pain and collapsed.

The pontif was a great scholar and mild spoken person. He had completed the four terms of Biennial Paryaya at the famous Sri Krishna temple here.

Sri Vishvotham Thirtha Swamiji was initiated to 'Sanyasa Deeksha' at the tender age of nine in 1943.

The seer ascended the Paryaya Peetha for the first time and performed Sri Krishna pooja at the temple for two years during 1948-50, followed by his second term during 1964-66, third term during 1980-82 and the fourth during 1996-98.

The pontif also gave Sanyasa Deeksha to his disciple 17-year-old Sri Vishvavallabh Thirtha Swamiji on June 14 last year at his Sonda Mutt, the sources said.

The sources said that the 'Vrindavan Pravesh' (final rituals according to Madhwa tradition) was expected to be held tonight at Sonda mutt in Sirsi.

UNI