Mysuru: The historic Sosale Mutt got its 41st Pontiff following the anointment of Sanskrit scholar D. Prahaladacharya yesterday.

Prahaladacharya was first given the sanyasa deeksha at the triveni sangama (confluence of three rivers) in  T. Narasipur before being anointed as the Mutt’s Pontiff.

Following the deeksha, Prahaladacharya was renamed as Sri Vidyashateertha Swamiji. After taking up sanyasa deeksa, he arrived at Sosale Mutt and offered special pujas to Lord Krishna, Mutt’s main deity, before taking over the reins of Sosale Mutt.

Previously, Prahaladacharya, a native of T. Narasipur, was teaching Sanskrit at Sanskrit University in Tirumala (Andhra Pradesh). After his retirement, he settled in T. Narasipur running a Gurukula.

The anointment came after Vidyamanohar Teertha Swamiji abdicated his peetha following charges of embezzlement of Mutt’s property and misuse of valuables donated by devotees over centuries. He was also arrested twice after a devotee had filed a complaint alleging misuse of silver chariot and other valuables.

Sosale Mutt’s devotees had also demanded Vidyamanohara Theertha Swamiji to step down as Mutt’s head and pave way for anointment of another Pontiff.

State Government had superseded the Mutt in 2012 and had appointed retired IAS officer K. Jairaj as its Administrative Officer.  

Mutt’s devotees from Mantralaya, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Muzrai Minister Rudrappa Lamani, K. Jairaj, retired Supreme Court Justice M.N. Venkatachalaiah, High Court Justice Venkateshmurthy and others were present.