Sri Narayanashrama Swamiji of Kodandashrama passed away in a private hospital in Bangalore on Tuesday. He was 77. Narayanashrama Swamiji took over Kodandashrama in 1996 and continued his social service till his end.

He conducted many eye camps for the poor, built cow sheds at the ashrama in Hebbur in Tumkur district. He was instrumental in constructing Kamakshi peetha temple in Hebbur.

Narayanashrama Swamiji came, in 1994, to Kodandashrama, the Kamakshi Peetha, a branch of Sringeri Shankar mutt in Hebbur, as per the instructions of Sringeri swamiji. 

He was instrumental in the construction of a beautiful temple for Sri Chakra at Hebbur and developed the place as an important religious centre. He was also responsible for developing Kamakshi Peetha as not only a religious centre but also as a centre for social work.

Free eye check up camps, health camps, surgery camps were regularly conducted by the mutt, guided by the swamiji.  Before coming to Hebbur, Swamiji was a priest at the Ragi Gudda in Bangalore. His name of the purvashram was Ganapathi Somayaji. His native place is Karatattu in  Dakshina Kannada district.

Last rites held

The last rites of the Swamiji was held at Hebbur on Tuesday amidst a huge gathering of devotees.

Earlier the body was kept for paying the last respects at Tumkur Shankar mutt. Prominent among them were Sericulture Minister Sogadu Shivanna, Handloom Corporation chairman M D Lakshminarayana, Mysore Paper Mills chairman B Suresh Gowda, honourary manager of Shankar mutt Sampige Venkatanarayana.