<p>The funeral of seer Balagangadharanatha Swami of Adichunchanagiri mutt was held amidst chanting of Vedic hymns and praises of devotees here Monday evening.<br /><br />The seer’s successor Sri Nirmalanandanatha Swami performed the last rites as per Shaivagama tradition under the guidance of purohits — led by Bhanuprakash Sharma from Paschimavahini, Srirangapatna taluk.<br /><br />The cortege of the swami arrived on schedule at the mutt at 3.50 pm. The devotees, waiting under scorching sun, rose as the vehicle drove into the mutt premises. <br /><br />They raised slogans hailing the swami, ‘Sri Balagangadharanatha Swamijige jayavaagali’ ‘Om Namaha Shivaya, Shivaya Namaha Om.’</p>.<p>Deputy Chief Minister R Ashoka, Higher Education Minister C T Ravi and Congress leader D K Shivakumar arrived in the same vehicle.<br /><br />The mortal remains were kept for public viewing at the auditorium for an hour. The body was brought to the designated place for burial at 5.15 pm. <br /><br />The devotees broke the barricades and rushed, causing commotion. Police had to resort to mild caning to bring the crowd under control.<br /><br />Police band played National Anthem and fired three rounds in the air as a mark of respect. Chief minister Jagadish Shettar, district in-charge minister C P Yogeeshwar and other dignitaries saluted while a National Flag was draped on the body. Later, the body was lowered into the pit, fortified with a wall built of boulders.</p>.<p>Dharma Chakra, decorated with flowers, was taken around the samadhi. <br /><br />After placing the golden crown on the head of the departed seer it was shifted on to the head of the new seer Sri Nirmalanandanatha Swami at 6 pm. Seers from various mutts from across the State were present on the occasion.<br /><br />Devotees and mutt staff offered vibuthi (sacred ash), tulsi leaves, flowers and finally mud to bury the seer in a sitting posture.<br /></p>
<p>The funeral of seer Balagangadharanatha Swami of Adichunchanagiri mutt was held amidst chanting of Vedic hymns and praises of devotees here Monday evening.<br /><br />The seer’s successor Sri Nirmalanandanatha Swami performed the last rites as per Shaivagama tradition under the guidance of purohits — led by Bhanuprakash Sharma from Paschimavahini, Srirangapatna taluk.<br /><br />The cortege of the swami arrived on schedule at the mutt at 3.50 pm. The devotees, waiting under scorching sun, rose as the vehicle drove into the mutt premises. <br /><br />They raised slogans hailing the swami, ‘Sri Balagangadharanatha Swamijige jayavaagali’ ‘Om Namaha Shivaya, Shivaya Namaha Om.’</p>.<p>Deputy Chief Minister R Ashoka, Higher Education Minister C T Ravi and Congress leader D K Shivakumar arrived in the same vehicle.<br /><br />The mortal remains were kept for public viewing at the auditorium for an hour. The body was brought to the designated place for burial at 5.15 pm. <br /><br />The devotees broke the barricades and rushed, causing commotion. Police had to resort to mild caning to bring the crowd under control.<br /><br />Police band played National Anthem and fired three rounds in the air as a mark of respect. Chief minister Jagadish Shettar, district in-charge minister C P Yogeeshwar and other dignitaries saluted while a National Flag was draped on the body. Later, the body was lowered into the pit, fortified with a wall built of boulders.</p>.<p>Dharma Chakra, decorated with flowers, was taken around the samadhi. <br /><br />After placing the golden crown on the head of the departed seer it was shifted on to the head of the new seer Sri Nirmalanandanatha Swami at 6 pm. Seers from various mutts from across the State were present on the occasion.<br /><br />Devotees and mutt staff offered vibuthi (sacred ash), tulsi leaves, flowers and finally mud to bury the seer in a sitting posture.<br /></p>
