Sri Vishvotham Thirtha Swamy 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 today died of a heart attack at Sonda in Sirsi taluk of Uttar Kannada district.

He was 74.

According to mutt sources here, the Swamiji 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 pontiff was a great scholar and mild spoken. He had completed four term of Biennial Paryaya at the famous Sri Krishna Temple here.

The Paryaya system was first introduced by saint Madhwacharya to conduct Sri Krishna Pooja at the Sri Krishna Mutt here for once in two months period among the pontiffs of Asta Mutt on rotation.

Sri Vishvotham Thirtha Swamiji was initiated to Sanyasa Deeksha at the tender age of 9 in 1943.

The seer ascended the paryaya peeta for the first time and performed Sri Krishna Pooja at the temple for two year term period during 1948-50, followed by his second term during 1964-66, third term during 1980-82 and the fourth term during 1996-98.

The pontiff also gave Sanyasa Deeksha to his disciple 17 years 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 be held tonight at Sonda mutt in Sirsi.

UNI