The sudden death of Lakshmivara Theertha Swami, the chief seer of Shiroor Mutt in Udupi, has come as a shock to political leaders in the state.
Lathavya Acharya, brother of the seer, has filed a complaint seeking a probe into the seer's death after officials at Kasturba Hospital in Manipal revealed suspicions of poisoning.
Lathavya filed the complaint in Hiriadka police station in Udupi district. Police officials were informed earlier in the day by officials at Kasturba Hospital in Manipal that the seer might have been poisoned.
Lakshmivara Theertha was the chief seer of Shiroor Mutt, one of the eight mutts in Udupi's famous Shri Krishna Temple.
Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy has expressed his shock at the sudden death of Lakshmivara Theertha Swami of Shiroor Mutt. The revered seer has conducted three Paryayas. He was always ready to perform the worship of Lord Krishna. He also specialised in various art forms. May his soul rest in peace," said Kumaraswamy in a statement.
Addressing media persons, Kumaraswamy also added," If there is any foul play in the death, action will be taken," he said.
Leader of the Opposition and BJP leader BS Yeddyurappa too shared his condolences over the death. "The demise of Sri Lakshmivara Theertha Swamiji of Shirur Math in Udupi has saddened me. He lived like a simple life with the people and was deeply devoted to Lord Krishna. I pray that his soul will rest in peace", he said in a tweet.
ಉಡುಪಿಯ ಶಿರೂರು ಮಠದ ಶ್ರೀ ಲಕ್ಷ್ಮೀವರ ತೀರ್ಥ ಸ್ವಾಮೀಜಿಯವರು ದೈವಾಧೀನರಾಗಿರುವುದು ಮನಸ್ಸಿಗೆ ಅತೀವ ನೋವು ತಂದಿದೆ. ಜನರ ಜೊತೆ ಸಾಮಾನ್ಯರಂತೆ ಬೆರೆಯುತ್ತಿದ್ದ ಹಾಗೂ ಶ್ರೀಕೃಷ್ಣನ ಸೇವೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಅಪಾರ ಶ್ರದ್ಧೆ ಹೊಂದಿದ್ದ ಅವರ ಆತ್ಮಕ್ಕೆ ಸದ್ಗತಿ ದೊರೆಯಲಿ ಎಂದು ದೇವರಲ್ಲಿ ಪ್ರಾರ್ಥಿಸುತ್ತೇನೆ. pic.twitter.com/pRW9bEcxKX
— B.S. Yeddyurappa (@BSYBJP) July 19, 2018
Meanwhile, several leaders took to social media to express their condolences.
Shocked & sad to hear about the demise of Shiroor Mutt seer Lakshmivara Tirtha Swami, a spiritual teacher who spent his whole life for giving the message of peace and humanity. My heartfelt condolences...#omshanthi pic.twitter.com/GcV6lbzMGp
— Shobha Karandlaje (@ShobhaBJP) July 19, 2018
Deeply saddened with sudden demise of HH SriSri #LakshmivaraTeerthaSwamiji of #SriShiroorMutt #Udupi. ಹರಿಪಾದವನ್ನು ಸೇರಿರುವ #ಶೀರೂರು
— Raghupathi Bhat BJP (@RaghupathiBhat) July 19, 2018
ಶ್ರೀಶ್ರೀ #ಲಕ್ಷ್ಮೀವರತೀರ್ಥಸ್ವಾಮೀಜಿ ಯವರ ಅಗಲುವಿಕೆಯ ದುಃಖವನ್ನು ಸಹಿಸಿಕೊಳ್ಳುವ ಶಕ್ತಿಯನ್ನು ಅವರ ಅಪಾರ ಭಕ್ತವ್ರಂದಕ್ಕೆ ಭಗವಂತನು ಕರುಣಿಸಲಿ ಎಂದು ಪ್ರಾರ್ಥಿಸುತ್ತೇನೆ #ಉಡುಪಿ pic.twitter.com/mGavH7jrLA