Shiroor seer Lakshmivara Teertha dies in hospital after food ‘poisoning’

Udupi, Jul 19: Sri Lakshmivara Teertha Swami, the chief pontiff of Shiroor Mutt, one of the prestigious Ashta (eight) Mutts, breathed his last today morning at a private hospital, here.

The 55-year-old was the 30th pontiff of the mutt. He was initiated at the age of 8 years in June 1971.

It is learnt that was admitted to KMC Hospital in Manipal yesterday following food poisoning and his condition was said to be serious. His followers suspect that it might be a case of murder.

The seer had faced the wrath of many swamijis after a video wherein he was seen speaking about corruption, immoral activities and murder in the mutt went viral. However, the seer had called it a fake video. In March, an emergency meeting of seers of the Ashta mutts of Udupi decided to take action against Lakshmivara Teertha Seer for his allegations against them.

The seer grabbed attention after he had announced that he would contest as an Independent candidate or from the BJP, if given a ticket, from Udupi Assembly constituency in the recently concluded Karnataka assembly elections. However, he was forced to withdraw his nomination. 

The seer was in the news recently over the issue of the idol of presiding deity of his Mutt. He had given the idol to Eshapriya Theertha Swami, junior seer of Admar Mutt, a few months ago, as he fell sick.  After his recovery, Lakshmivara Theertha sought the idol back. But the seers of six of the eight Mutts refused to hand over the idol and asked him to appoint a junior seer instead. But Lakshmivara Theertha did not accept the condition and even threatened to file a criminal case on the issue.

Lakshmivara Theertha ascended the Paryaya peeta for the third time in 2010, after 1978-80 and 1994-96. The seer had a keen interest in swimming, collecting antiques, and playing musical instruments.

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Shiroor seer was facing life threat; he had discussed about scams in mutt: Advocate

Shiroor seer’s death: Doctors suspect ‘poisoning’; brother alleges murder