The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Followers asked to observe fast

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Nov 22, 2004

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Followers asked to observe fast

By Our Staff Reporter

KANCHEEPURAM, NOV. 21. The junior Acharya of the Kanchi Mutt, Vijayendra Saraswathi, has called upon Mutt followers to observe a half-day fast on November 22 to invoke God's grace to bale out the Mutt and its Peetathipathi, Jayendra Saraswathi, from the present situation.

Noting that tomorrow happens to be `karthiga somavaram', the junior Acharya wanted Mutt followers to pray to God to help the institution pass through the current difficult situation.

He also wanted devotees to write `rama namam' or the name of any other deity of their choice for 108 times on a post card and forward it to the Mutt, said R. Sankaran, spokesperson of the Mutt.

Mr. Sankaran said special `pujas' and `homams' were being conducted at the Mutt. About 50 to 60 vedic pandits and patasala students were engaged in these rituals, apart from the Mutt's daily routine `puja' for Lord Chandramouleeshwarar performed by Sri Vijayendra Saraswathi.

Signature campaign

Asked whether the Mutt had approached the President or the Prime Minister to present its case, Mr. Sankaran said it had not, but added that 1.5 lakh people from all over the world had objected to the way legal action had been initiated against the Acharya in an Internet campaign launched by devotees. he Mutt had received a copy of the signature campaign, which had been forwarded to the President and the Prime Minister.

Dismissing the report about Raghu, brother of junior Acharya, being once again asked to appear before police today, he asserted that Mr. Raghu had not moved out of the Mutt throughout the day. Meanwhile, interrogation of Sri Jayendra Saraswathi in police custody continued today.

He was examined by a team of doctors and was allowed to meet his counsel in the evening as per court orders.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Tamil Nadu