Melukote: Karagam Narayana Iyengar (82), the first ‘Sthaanika’ of the famed  Cheluvanarayanawamy Temple at Melukote, passed away at a private hospital in Mysuru on Saturday following brief illness.

He leaves behind two sons, a brother and a sister.

He had served the temple as the first Sthaanika and Paarupattegara for long. Earlier he had retired as a Government School Head Master after serving at schools in villages near Melukote as a popular teacher.

He had won the State award while in service. After retirement, he served Melukote Cheluvanarayanaswamy Temple with total dedication till his end.

Last rites were performed at Melukote on Sunday with all rituals and respects. Melukote MLA Darshan Puttannaiah, former Minister C.S. Puttaraju, Department of Religious Endowment Officer Yathiraj Sampatkumaran, Temple EO Mahesh and Melukote GP President Somashekar were among those who paid their last respects to the departed soul.