Udupi: Shiroor seer Lakshmivaratheertha Swamiji, 54 breathed his last on Thursday morning after a brief period of illness.
The seer was admitted to KMC hospital in Manipal on Tuesday after he showed symptoms of food poisoning and sources at the mutt had confirmed that he was recovering but, on Wednesday his condition deteriorated.
Born as Harish Acharya at Mandakki village of Hebri taluk in 1964, he entered sanyasa at the tender age of eight. He went on to become the 30th ‘Yathi’ of the Shiroor Mutt. He took the first Paryaya in 1978-80.
He had courted controversy recently, following a statement he made that mutt seers including himself have fathered children. This had compelled the seers of Asta Mutt to convene an urgent meeting headed by the Pejawar Mutt seer Vishwesha Theertha Swami. He was also issued a notice in this regards.
In July 2018, the seer filed a caveat petition in two civil courts with regard to the ongoing controversy over the custody of idols of the presiding deities of the Shiroor Mutt and other matters relating to it.
The respondents to the caveat petition are: Vishwesha Tirtha Swami of Pejwar Mutt, Vidyasagara Tirtha Swami of Krishnapur Mutt, Vishwapriya Tirtha Swami of Admar Mutt, Vidyadheesha Tirtha Swami of Palimar Mutt, Vidyavallabha Tirtha Swami of Kaniyur Mutt, Vishwavallabha Tirtha Swami of Sode Mutt, Vishwaprasanna Tirtha Swami, junior seer of Pejawar Mutt and Ishapriya Tirtha Swami and junior seer of Admar Mutt.
The seer claimed that he had left idols of the presiding deities of his mutt at the Sri Krishna Mutt/Temple on account of his ill-health. However, the seers of the six Ashta Mutts had decided not to return the idols to the Shiroor seer till he appointed a junior seer for his mutt.
The Shiroor Swamiji also intended to contest in the recently held Assembly elections but, withdrew his candidature at the last minute reportedly due to pressure from the BJP.
He was passionate about music and had even accompanied renowned musician Shivamani on the drums during his birthday celebration. He was trained in swimming as well as karate.
