JOIN USControversy over successor rocks Hubli Moorusavira Mutt
Jagadguru Gurusidda Rajayogendra Swami of Moorusavira Mutt here has kicked up a row by deciding to step down as the pontiff of the prestigious religious institution.
The seer has reportedly suggested the name of Dingaleshwar Swami of Dingaleshwar Mutt as the next Peethadhipathi (head) of the Mutt.
There were rumours about the pontiff quitting the Mutt in the last two years. With the Swami expressing his desire to quit, it has become almost certain that the Moorusavira Mutt will get a new head soon. The high-powered committee, which is supervising the administration of the Mutt, has reportedly accepted the Swami’s decision.
The Swami reportedly expressed his wish of quitting at the high-powered committee meeting held in the Mutt last week.
It is learnt that the Swami strongly endorsed Dingaleshwar Swami as his successor. Gurusidda Rajayogendra Swami and the Dingaleshwar Swami are childhood friends.
The meeting was attended by Jagadish Shettar, Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly, former ministers C M Udasi and Basavaraj Horatti, former MP Vijay Sankeshwar and former MLC Mohan Limbikai.
However, devotees of the Kempayyaswamy Mutt, a branch of Moorusavira Mutt in Gokak taluk of Belgaum district, are demanding that as per the will of Moorusavira Jagadguru Gangadhara Swami (MuJaGam), former chief of Moorusavira Mutt, Mallikarjuna Swami should be appointed the next chief of the Moorusavira Mutt.
Rajayogendra Swami wanted to leave the Mutt after handing over the Mutt’s responsibility to Dingaleshwar Swami when the controversy over the pontiff’s post had cropped up some years ago. But the devotees had appealed to him not to leave the Mutt at least for some time. After two years, the Swami has now decided to leave the Mutt and go to his parent mutt - Kumareshwara Mutt at Hanagal in Haveri district.
“There are poisonous snakes (bad elements) in the Mutt. I can’t stay with them. Leave me alone. I will go to Kumareshwara Mutt and spend my life meditating,” he said.
Highly placed sources in the Mutt said that the seer is under pressure from some vested interests who are trying to control the affairs of the Mutt. They have created such an environment that the seer feels suffocated.
The high-powered committee had called a meeting on Sunday (October 5) to discuss the issue. But it was cancelled at the last moment. Committee member Jagadish Shettar refused to comment on the issue.
Another member, Basavaraj Horatti, said, “What can devotees do if the Swami is not willing to continue as head of the Mutt?”
Speaking to Deccan Herald, Rajayogendra Swami said, “I don’t want to say anything on the matter now. I will react after taking a final decision.”