Mysuru: Sri Chidananda Swamiji (76), President of Sree Hosamath and Sree Nataraja Prathistana on Shankar Mutt Road in Khile Mohalla, passed away following brief illness at a private hospital in city this afternoon.

Born on Feb. 1, 1950 at Mudukanapura in T. Narasipur taluk, Chidananda Swamiji joined Sree Hosamath that has a history of 500 years in 1975 and became its Pontiff in 1982.

He established Sree Nataraja Prathistana in 1984 and since then he established 16 educational institutions from LKG to Post Graduation under it giving preference to girls’ education and rural students.

Last rites will be held tomorrow at 1 pm at Hosamath premises, according to Mutt sources.