Mysore/Mysuru: Boudha Bikku Veeryasheela Bhanteji, Founder of Rajagruha Buddha Vihar at Byathahalli near Kadakola in the taluk, passed away yesterday.

Prayers were held at the Buddha Vihar at 11.30 am and the body was later moved to Vishwamythri Buddha Vihar, near Ashoka Circle (Ballal Circle) in Mysuru at 1.45 pm for the public to pay their last respects.

Last rites were held at his native place Hemmanahalli in Maddur taluk at about 4 pm yesterday as per Buddhist tradition.

Veeryasheela Bhanteji had studied the speeches of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and had participated in many Boudha Dhamma programmes held across the State where he had shared the messages of Buddha and Dr. Ambedkar. He had also translated the English book on Gandhiji and untouchability besides authoring many books on the life and objectives of Dr. Ambedkar among other books.