Kanchipuram: Kanchi Seer Jayendra Saraswati was Laid To Rest next to his predecessor Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswati, the 68th pontiff of the mutt. The Brindhavan Pravesam of the Kanchi Seer took place at the mutt premises.

Jayendra Saraswati, the 69th pontiff of the Sankara Mutt, who passed away a day ago, was given 'maha samadhi' within the mutt premises on Thursday.

His final resting place or the 'brindavanam' was built near his predecessor the 68th pontiff, the iconic Chandrasekarendra Saraswati.

The 82-year-old pontiff's body was interred in accordance with tradition followed for Hindu seers.

The necessary rituals were performed by Vijayendra Saraswati, the 70th pontiff of the Sankara Mutt.

The final rituals for burying the mortal remains of Sri Jayendra Saraswathi in the premises of the Kanchi Sankara Mutt here began this morning in the presence of some of his family members.

Jayendra Saraswathi, regarded as one of the most influential spiritual leaders of his time but whose shock arrest in a murder case robbed the spiritual shine of the Kanchi mutt, died here yesterday. The final rituals for burying the mortal remains, called 'Brindhavana Pravesam,' began with an 'abishekam' or bath. Milk and honey were the ingredients used in the abishekam.

The 'abishekam', held in the main hall of the mutt, was followed by recital of Vedic hymns by priests in the presence of Sri Vijayendra Saraswathi, the junior pontiff of the Mutt and some close family members. A Mutt official said 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.

The rituals for lowering his body in the 7 x 7 ft burial pit in the Brindhavanam Annexe is expected to be completed by around 11 am. Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit participated in the burial ceremony by offering flowers. A large number of devotees have gathered here for the burial ceremony amid tight security.

Vijayendra Saraswati was elevated as the head of the Sankara Mutt on Wednesday soon after the death of Jayendra Saraswati.

He later told the media that he would follow in the footsteps of Jayendra Sarswati, who he said was a spiritual leader who did not discriminate while blessing and helping people, irrespective of religion and caste.

Jayendra Sarswati also worked for harmony among all sections, he added.

Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit, Union Minister Pon. Radhakrishnan and several others were present at the Sankara Mutt when the final rituals were being performed.

Jayendra Sarawasti suffered breathelessness on Wednesday morning and was taken to a private hospital here in Tamil Nadu where he breathed his last.

PTI