The Brindavana (tomb) of Sri Vyasaraja Tirtha, a renowned saint of the Madhwa tradition at Anegundi near Hampi, was found razed on Thursday. It is one of the nine Brindavanas at Nava Brindavana, on the banks of the Tungabhadra.
The incident came to light on Thursday morning when some people visited the site for performing rituals. Going by circumstantial evidence, the police suspect it to be an act of treasure hunters. The incident is suspected to have happened during the lunar eclipse early on Wednesday.
B.P. Chandrashekhar, Deputy Superintendent of Police Gangavati division, and Suresh Talavar, Circle Inspector of Police, attached to Gangavati Rural, rushed to the spot upon receiving information.
“Our scientific investigation team is already at the spot. We found some puja material there. It is evident that some kind of puja was offered to the seat of the saint as well. We prima facie feel that this is the act of treasure hunters. I have formed a special team headed by the Circle Inspector of Police, attached to Gagavati Rural circle, to investigate the case. I am confident that we will shortly catch the guilty,” Renuka K. Sukumar, Superintendent of Police, Koppal, told The Hindu.
The situation was tense around the area as news of the vandalism spread, with several seers arriving there. Realising the gravity of the incident, the Superintendent of Police also issued a public notice detailing her department’s efforts to nab the culprits and appealing to the people to maintain peace. Sri Vyasaraja Tirtha was the Raja Guru (royal spiritual teacher) for Sri Krishnadevaraya, the Vijayanagar Emperor. He was buried at Nava Brindavana in 1539. The Nava Brindavana is an open space without any protection and security. The premises sees some religious activities only when devotees visit the place during Aradhana festivities.