Vishwesha Teertha Swami, the head of prominent Pejavara Mutt and one among the Ashta Mathas of Udupi, passed away at the age of 88 on Sunday. The Karnataka government announced a three-day state mourning. His last rites will be performed at the Vidyapeetha here, founded by him, Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday condoled the demise of Pejavara Mutt Seer Vishwesha Teertha Swami saying he will remain in hearts and minds of lakhs of people for whom he was always a guiding light. "Sri Vishvesha Teertha Swamiji of the Sri Pejawara Matha, Udupi will remain in the hearts and minds of lakhs of people for whom he was always a guiding light. A powerhouse of service and spirituality, he continuously worked for a more just and compassionate society. Om Shanti," Prime Minister said in a tweet.
The 88-year old Swamji, who was closely associated with the VHP's Ramjanmabhoomi movement, breathed his last at the premises of the Pejawar math in Udupi.
Born on April 27, 1931 at at Ramakunja as Venkatarama, he was initiated into asceticism on December 3, 1938 after undergoing practices to renounce worldly pleasures and to tread the path of religion. The swamiji was hailed for his social initiatives, including visiting Dalit colonies decades ago.
The Pejawar seer was given the name Venkataramana by his parents due to his Satvik nature. Sri Vishwesha Tirtharu has ordained Sri Vishvaprasanna Tirtharu as his successor to the Pejavara matha in 1988. Sahasra Chandra Darshana Shanthi was celebrated for Sri Vishvesha Tirtha Swamiji in Tirumala kshetra on March 7th, 2012 in the presence of several peethadipathis. He is known as the 'Rashtra Swamiji', and a great social reformer. He also had strong poetic abilities. He wrote a Sanskrit poem called 'Samba Vijaya'.
Vishwesha Teertha Swami was also believed that Dalits were integral part of the Hindu society. He also reviewed traditional practice of untouchability. Swamiji also worked for the prevention of cow slaughter.
