Latest updates: Jayendra Saraswathi's body will be kept in state in the Kanchipuram mutt till 7 am on Thursday. According to the mutt, his final rites will take place at 8 am on Thursday. Devotees can pay their final respects to the seer till then. Tributes began pouring in for the Kanchipuram seer. According to earlier reports, the crowd was moving smoothly and so far more than 2,000 people had come to pay their respect.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed anguish over the death of the "institution builder". Congress said, "Our thoughts go out to his close associates and millions of his followers around the world." Several BJP leaders including Ram Madhav too have paid their tribute to the 69th pontiff of the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham. Congress president Rahul Gandhi tweeted, "’I'm saddened to hear about the death of Jagadguru Pujyashri Jayendra Saraswathi Shankaracharya of the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham."
The head of the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham Jayendra Saraswathi passed away on Wednesday morning at the age of 82, CNN-News18 reported. The pontiff died in a private hospital near Kamakshi Amman temple in Kanchipuram, reported The Hindu.
According to another report in The Hindu, Saraswathi was facing breathing issues since a couple of weeks. He had been taken to Sri Ramachandra Medical Centre in Chennai in January after his health deteriorated rapidly.
File image of Jayendra Saraswathi of Kanchi mutt. Wikimedia Commons
Zee News reported that the seer, who is also the Shankaracharya of the Kanchipuram mutt, had collapsed after complaining of a breathing problem.
Saraswathi was the 69th pontiff of the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham, which was established by Adi Shankaracharya in the Fifth Century AD. Saraswathi was named by Chandrasekharendra Swamigal, who was also known as Periyavar, as his successor in 1954.
The seer shot to national infamy when his name emerged in an alleged conspiracy to kill Sankarraman, an accountant in his mutt. His consequent arrest in November 2004 shocked the Hindu clergy. Saraswathi was acquitted in the murder case in 2016.
Published Date: Feb 28, 2018 13:56 PM | Updated Date: Feb 28, 2018 14:37 PM
Highlights
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
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
BJP MP Varun Gandhi rememebers 'father figure' Kanchi seer
Rahul Gandhi tweets on Jayendra Saraswathi's passing away
Kanchi seer Jayendra Saraswathi was known for for his charity work
Image courtesy: KA Vishwanathan
'Fortunate to have his blessings always', tweets Sushma Swaraj
Visual from Kanchi mutt where Jayendra Saraswathi's body is lying-in-state
Via KA Vishwanathan
RSS condoles passing away of Shankaracharya
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.'
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 Today
A 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
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 Today
Tamil 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 Today
So 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
Jayendra Saraswathi's long-time devotee shares his experience
Speaking to Firstpost, a Mumbai-based devotee B Shridhar said that the greatness of Jayendra Saraswathi, who passed away on Wednesday, can only be understood by those who have met him in person. "Whatever he touched turned to gold. If he inaugurated something with his hands, then the institution was surely on its way to success. It is for this reason that people always wanted Swamigal to inaugurate several projects," he said.
Vice-president M Venkaiah Naidu pays homage to Kanchi seer
Jayendra Saraswathi with late Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa
Deeply anguished by Jayendra Saraswathi's death, tweets Modi
Narendra Modi tweets about Jayendra Saraswathi's death
Jayendra Saraswathi with his guru Maha Periyavar
Jayendra Saraswathi's journey from his village to Kanchipuram mutt
* Born as Subramanya Mahadeva in Irulneeki village in 1935
* Was appointed the successor to Kanchi Mutt on 22 March, 1954
* Took active part in finding solution to vexatious Ayodhya dispute in 1990s
* Arrest in Sankararaman murder case in 2004
* Acquitted of all charges in 2014
* Breathed his last on 28 Feb, 2018
Inputs from M Bharat Kumar, News Today
Kanchi seer's body to be kept in state in mutt till 7 am
Kanchi Shankar mutt officials said that Jayendra Saraswathi’s body will be kept at the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham, Kancheepuram till 7am on Thursday and he will be laid to rest at the Mutt premises tomorrow.
Input by Prasanna Vishwanath/101Reporters
Kanchi seer Jayendra Saraswathi body to be kept in mutt
Prasanna Venkatesh/101Reporters
Saraswathi's body to kept in mutt for public viewing
Shankaracharya Jayendra Saraswathi, the 69th pontiff of the Kanchi Mutt, died on Wedneday. His body is kept at the mutt for public view.
Inputs by Prasanna Venkatesh/101Reporters
Congress tweets on Jayendra Saraswathi's passing away
BJP leader Ram Madhav pays tribute to Jayendra Saraswathi
Jayendra Saraswathi faced breathing issues since a few weeks
According to a report in The Hindu, Saraswathi was facing breathing issues since a couple of weeks. He had been taken to Sri Ramachandra Medical Centre in Chennai in January after his health deteriorated rapidly.
Kanchipuram seer was arrested in 2004 in connection to an alleged murder
The seer shot to national infamy when his name emerged in an alleged conspiracy to kill Sankarraman, an accountant in his mutt. His consequent arrest in November 2004 shocked the Hindu clergy. Saraswathi was acquitted in the murder case in 2016.
Saraswathi's successor
Jayendra Saraswathi will be succeeded by Vijayendra Saraswathi, the 70th head of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam.
Saraswathi was 69th pontiff of Kanchi Kamakoti Mutt
Saraswathi was the 69th pontiff of the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham, which was established by Adi Shankaracharya in the Fifth Century AD. Saraswathi was named by Chandrasekharendra Swamigal, who was also known as Periyavar, as his successor in 1954.
Jayendra Saraswathi passes away
The head of the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham Jayendra Saraswathi passed away on Wednesday morning at the age of 82, CNN-News18 reported. The pontiff died in a private hospital near Kamakshi Amman temple in Kanchipuram, reported The Hindu.
14:37 (IST)
14:15 (IST)
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
14:12 (IST)
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
13:57 (IST)
Jayendra Saraswathi presided over a religious festival before his Mahasamadhi
13:42 (IST)
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
13:39 (IST)
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.
13:31 (IST)
Visuals from Kanchi mutt
13:26 (IST)
BJP MP Varun Gandhi rememebers 'father figure' Kanchi seer
13:23 (IST)
Rahul Gandhi tweets on Jayendra Saraswathi's passing away
13:18 (IST)
Kanchi seer Jayendra Saraswathi was known for for his charity work
Image courtesy: KA Vishwanathan
13:13 (IST)
'Fortunate to have his blessings always', tweets Sushma Swaraj
13:08 (IST)
Visual from Kanchi mutt where Jayendra Saraswathi's body is lying-in-state
Via KA Vishwanathan
12:58 (IST)
RSS condoles passing away of Shankaracharya
12:53 (IST)
Next Shankaracharya Sri Vijayendra Saraswati paying last respects
Via KA Vishwanathan
12:39 (IST)
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.'
12:36 (IST)
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.
12:29 (IST)
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 Today
12:24 (IST)
A picture from Jayendra Saraswathi's younger days
Image courtesy: K A Vishwanathan, a Mumbai-based follower
12:21 (IST)
Prominent Tamil Nadu commentator tweets on Saraswathi's controversial legacy
12:18 (IST)
Jayendra Saraswathi with his guru Maha Periyavar
Image courtesy: K A Vishwanathan, a Mumbai-based follower
12:17 (IST)
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 Today
12:07 (IST)
Tamil 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 Today
12:02 (IST)
So 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
11:55 (IST)
Jayendra Saraswathi's long-time devotee shares his experience
Speaking to Firstpost, a Mumbai-based devotee B Shridhar said that the greatness of Jayendra Saraswathi, who passed away on Wednesday, can only be understood by those who have met him in person. "Whatever he touched turned to gold. If he inaugurated something with his hands, then the institution was surely on its way to success. It is for this reason that people always wanted Swamigal to inaugurate several projects," he said.
11:42 (IST)
Vice-president M Venkaiah Naidu pays homage to Kanchi seer
11:37 (IST)
Jayendra Saraswathi with late Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa
11:33 (IST)
Deeply anguished by Jayendra Saraswathi's death, tweets Modi
11:29 (IST)
Narendra Modi tweets about Jayendra Saraswathi's death
11:27 (IST)
Jayendra Saraswathi with his guru Maha Periyavar
11:25 (IST)
Jayendra Saraswathi's journey from his village to Kanchipuram mutt
* Born as Subramanya Mahadeva in Irulneeki village in 1935
* Was appointed the successor to Kanchi Mutt on 22 March, 1954
* Took active part in finding solution to vexatious Ayodhya dispute in 1990s
* Arrest in Sankararaman murder case in 2004
* Acquitted of all charges in 2014
* Breathed his last on 28 Feb, 2018
Inputs from M Bharat Kumar, News Today
11:20 (IST)
Kanchi seer's body to be kept in state in mutt till 7 am
Kanchi Shankar mutt officials said that Jayendra Saraswathi’s body will be kept at the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham, Kancheepuram till 7am on Thursday and he will be laid to rest at the Mutt premises tomorrow.
Input by Prasanna Vishwanath/101Reporters
11:01 (IST)
Kanchi seer Jayendra Saraswathi body to be kept in mutt
Prasanna Venkatesh/101Reporters
10:56 (IST)
Saraswathi's body to kept in mutt for public viewing
Shankaracharya Jayendra Saraswathi, the 69th pontiff of the Kanchi Mutt, died on Wedneday. His body is kept at the mutt for public view.
Inputs by Prasanna Venkatesh/101Reporters
10:44 (IST)
Congress tweets on Jayendra Saraswathi's passing away
10:41 (IST)
BJP leader Ram Madhav pays tribute to Jayendra Saraswathi
10:38 (IST)
Jayendra Saraswathi faced breathing issues since a few weeks
According to a report in The Hindu, Saraswathi was facing breathing issues since a couple of weeks. He had been taken to Sri Ramachandra Medical Centre in Chennai in January after his health deteriorated rapidly.
10:31 (IST)
Kanchipuram seer was arrested in 2004 in connection to an alleged murder
The seer shot to national infamy when his name emerged in an alleged conspiracy to kill Sankarraman, an accountant in his mutt. His consequent arrest in November 2004 shocked the Hindu clergy. Saraswathi was acquitted in the murder case in 2016.
10:26 (IST)
Saraswathi's successor
Jayendra Saraswathi will be succeeded by Vijayendra Saraswathi, the 70th head of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam.
10:22 (IST)
Saraswathi was 69th pontiff of Kanchi Kamakoti Mutt
Saraswathi was the 69th pontiff of the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham, which was established by Adi Shankaracharya in the Fifth Century AD. Saraswathi was named by Chandrasekharendra Swamigal, who was also known as Periyavar, as his successor in 1954.
10:21 (IST)
Jayendra Saraswathi passes away
The head of the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham Jayendra Saraswathi passed away on Wednesday morning at the age of 82, CNN-News18 reported. The pontiff died in a private hospital near Kamakshi Amman temple in Kanchipuram, reported The Hindu.