Anointed as successor of Vishwa Vokkaliga Mutt

Kengeri: Sri Nischalanandanatha Swamiji was anointed as the successor of Vishwa Vokkaliga Mahasamsthan Mutt, near Kengeri on Mysuru-Bengaluru Highway, at  a two-day ceremony that concluded on Sunday.

Dr. H.L. Nagaraju, a KAS Officer who took voluntary retirement from services to embrace celibacy, was rechristened as Sri Nischalanandanatha Swamiji, to complete the customs and traditions associated with the anointment ceremony, in the presence of pontiffs from various Mutts and devotees present in large numbers.

Seer Sri Veerabhadra Channamalla Deshikendra Swamiji of Nidumamidi Jagadguru Mutt, in his address, said, it is indeed rare that, those who have tasted power as a KAS Officer shun luxuries of life and embrace sainthood. They should function in keeping with the welfare of the devotees and society and be loyal to the Guru.

Adichunchanagiri Mutt Seer Dr.  Sri Nirmalanandanatha Swamiji said, there is no differences of opinion among Adichunchanagiri Mutt and Vishwa Vokkaliga Mahasamsthan Mutt. “Both the Mutts follow common tradition and have same Guru. We belong to the same community and are like the children of a same mother. There is no place for a third party,” the Seer sought to clarify.

Sri Kumara Chandrashekaranatha Swamiji, the current pontiff of Vishwa Vokkaliga Mahasamsthan Mutt, said: “I am 80 now and health is deteriorating day by day. Hence, it was decided to anoint the successor and have conducted the succession ceremony by appointing Dr. Nagaraju as my successor. There are plans to start a Medical College that could facilitate the studies of economically weaker students. The devotees should cooperate.”

Sri Nischalanandanatha Swamiji (Dr. Nagaraju) said, “I was inspired by Tumakuru Sri Siddaganga Mutt’s previous pontiff Dr. Shivakumara Swamiji and Adichunchanagiri Seer to devote myself for the cause of the society. Several persons have sacrificed for the cause of the Mutt and so also myself. Sri Nirmalanandanatha Swamiji has also advised and will be working together to lead the society without any inhibitions.”

Spatikapuri Mahasamsthan Mutt’s Sri Nanjavadhoota Swamiji, Avadhoota Sri Vinay Guruji, Beli Mutt’s Sri Shivanubhava Charamurthy Swamiji, Hiremath Samsthan’s Dr. Sri Basavalinga, Madurai Bhageerath Peetha’s Sri Purushothamananda Swamiji, Vishwakarma Ekadandagi Peetha’s Sri Kalahasthendra Swamiji, leaders Panchalingaiah Ramakrishna and others were present.