UDUPI/HARIDWAR: Octogenarian spiritual leader Tapovani matha aka Subhadra matha, who received her ‘mantra deeksha’ from then seer of Pejavaradhokshaja mutt late Sri Vishvesha Thirtha swamiji is no more. She passed away at Ramakrishna Ashram hospital in Haridwar on Thursday, aged 89.
Drawn to a spiritual life from her childhood days, she migrated to the Himalayas nearly six decades ago in search of spiritual bliss and led an austere life.
Hailing from Pandubettu in Udupi, she was known as Varijakshi in her pre-monastic life. It was her rigorous nine-year penance at Tapovan, a place where it is believed that the Pandavas too did their penance which earned her the nickname ‘Tapovani Mata’. She later opened an ashram there and started helping sadhus and other tourists. She always credited Sri Vishvesha Thirtha swamiji for all her spiritual accomplishments.
When health began failing her, it was Acharya Balakrishna from Patanjali Yoga Peeth who shifted her to the ashram hospital and started her treatment. A book in Kannada that Bhaskar Mayya from Udupi authored on her life and achievements was released at the ashram hospital recently. Sri Vishwaprasanna Thirtha swamiji of Pejavar Mutt has expressed his condolence at the demise of Tapovani Mata and fondly recalled her association with his guru.