The funeral of seer Balagangadharanatha Swami of Adichunchanagiri mutt was held amidst chanting of Vedic hymns and praises of devotees here Monday evening.
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.
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.
They raised slogans hailing the swami, ‘Sri Balagangadharanatha Swamijige jayavaagali’ ‘Om Namaha Shivaya, Shivaya Namaha Om.’
Deputy Chief Minister R Ashoka, Higher Education Minister C T Ravi and Congress leader D K Shivakumar arrived in the same vehicle.
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.
The devotees broke the barricades and rushed, causing commotion. Police had to resort to mild caning to bring the crowd under control.
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.
Dharma Chakra, decorated with flowers, was taken around the samadhi.
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.
Devotees and mutt staff offered vibuthi (sacred ash), tulsi leaves, flowers and finally mud to bury the seer in a sitting posture.