Shiroor Mutt seer strayed from beaten path

Shiroor Mutt seer Lakshmivara Theertha Swami was known for straying from standard practices of sainthood.

He was born to Vittala Acharya and Kusuma on June 8, 1964, at Madamakki in Hebri. The seer’s original name was Hareesh Acharya and was educated till class II at Paniyadi School when he took ‘Sanyasa Deekshe’ at the age of eight.

He was initiated into sainthood on July 2, 1971 by Sode Vadiraj Mutt seer Vishwotthamateertha, who rechristened him as Lakshmivarateertha Swami. Sode Mutt is Shiroor Mutt’s Dwandwa or twin mutt.

He also had his spiritual education at Uttaradi Mutt under seer Satyapramodateertha Swamii. The seer performed his first Paryaya at the age of 14 from 1978 to 80.

He was unique in that he experimented with everything he came across. Be it offering prayers to Lord Krishna during his Paryaya or filing papers as independent to contest the recent elections from Udupi. Later, he withdrew his papers.

He rarely followed tradition and in fact, began his own tradition to offer prayers. He had done nearly 365 types of decoration to Lord Krishna during his second Paryaya.

Recently, the Shiroor seer had kept the idol of the presiding deity of his Mutt - Anna Vittala - with Eshapriya Theertha Swami, junior seer of Admar Mutt, a few months ago as he was not keeping well.

After his recovery, he sought the idol back. But the seers of six of the Ashta Mutts said he would get back the idol would only if he appointed a junior seer. He refused to oblige and threatened to file a criminal case on the issue, at a press meet in Udupi on July 16.

In a video telecast on a news channel, the seer reportedly made a few derogatory remarks about other seers of the Ashta Mutts. Later, he said the video was fake, but the damage had been done. Music was an inseparable part of the 55-year-old Swami’s life, being a drummer himself. He had a small museum inside the mutt for various types of drums and other musical instruments.

The seer was an expert swimmer and a karate champion.

He was keen to start a music academy with the help of renowned drummer Shivamani.The foundation stone for the facility was laid recently. Udupi Superintendent of Police Laxman Nimbargi said, “The police will collect information from the Mutt as and when required. We have cordoned off the kitchen and the seer’s private room.”

The mortal remains of the seer were interred in Brindavana on thepremises of the original Mutt at Shiroor late in the evening.