Kanchi Seer final rest; LIVE UPDATES of the final journey

On the 28^th of February 2018, Kanchi Sankara Mutt’s senior seer Sri Jayendra Saraswathi had passed away.

He died of cardiac arrest while undergoing treatment at a hospital. He was 83. 

His body was kept for public display yesterday.

The last ceremonial rites began on Thursday.

Jayendra Saraswati is expected to be laid to rest beside his predecessor, Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswathi. His successor, Vijayendra Saraswathi is overseeing the last rites ceremony.

Jayendra Saraswathi will be remembered for his efforts to popularise the mutt after the death of Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswathi, the 68th pontiff of the mutt.

READ ALSO: PM Modi remembers Kanchi seer Jayendra Saraswathi; LIVE UPDATES

LET’S KNOW A LITTLE ABOUT THE SEER

Jaynedra Saraswathi was born in Iruneekki in Thanjavur. He completed his education with late DMK leader Murasoli Maran, former union minister, and DMK patriarch M Karunanidhi’s nephew. He took charge of the mutt in 1994. He was also known for his proximity towards leaders from the BJP, RSS, and VHP.

During his time as the head seer, Jayendra Saraswathi launched several charity initiatives such as the ‘Jana Kalyan, Jana Jagaran,’ a movement to “serve the people and awaken the masses”.

The charity programme aimed to establish temples in Dalit colonies and engage Dalits in temple rituals to expand the Hindu collective beyond the Dravidian polity’s anti-upper caste stance, and equating Hinduism with an inherent suspicion of Brahminism. He also appointed Dalit trustees in temples such as Mylapore Kapaleeshwarar.

HERE ARE THE LIVE UPDATES:

11:28 AM

The rituals for lowering Jayendra Saraswathi’s body in the 7 x 7 ft burial pit in the Brindhavanam Annexe is expected to be completed sometime after 11 am.

11:02 AM

The body of Jayendra Saraswathi will be carried later to the adjacent ‘Brindavan Annexe,’ where the mortal remains of his predecessor Sri Chandrasekerendra Saraswathi were interred in 1993, a mutt official told the agency.

10:34 AM

The final rites of Jayendra Saraswathi began with an ‘abhishekam’ ( bath)  with milk and honey.

10:31 AM

Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit participated in the burial ceremony by offering flowers, reported a news agency.

9:45 AM

Jayendra Saraswathi is expected to be laid to rest beside his guru, Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswathi.

9:44 AM

Tamil Nadu Governor and union ministers to be present

Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit,  Union Ministers  Sadananda Gowda, and Pon Radhakrishnan will attend today’s last rites ceremony in Kanchipuram.

9:40 AM

At the moment priests are performing abhishekam, a ritual that involves chanting of mantras.