Udupi : The Aradhane of Lakshmivara Tirtha Swami, was held here on Wednesday. The rituals began at 7.30 a.m. at the ‘moola mutt’ on the banks on the Swarna. A portrait of Lakshmivara Tirtha was placed in front of his vrindavana.

Rituals such as Shudha Punyahavachana, Panchamrita Abhisheka to the 500 gold, silver and bronze idols of Shiroor Mutt, Siyala Abhisheka to idols of Lord Hanuman, Chikkapattadevaru and Lord Pattabhirama, and Urdhwarchane of all idols on the river bank were performed. This was followed by Panchakalasha Homa, Pavamana Homa, Navakapradhana Homa, Viraja Homa and Maha Puje. Devotees paid floral tributes to the portrait kept on a broad wooden chair near the vrindavana.

Prayers were offered by Vidyadheesha Tirtha Swami of Paryaya Palimar Mutt at Sri Krishna Mutt in Udupi. There was ‘Anna Santharpane’ for devotees here and in Udupi. They were given saplings in memory of the seer.

Vadiraja Acharya, the ‘purvashrama’ brother of Lakshmivara Tirtha, said the deceased seer was responsible for improving parking facilities near Rajangana, construction of Vasanth Mantapa at the Sri Krishna Mutt, and donating lands to many educational institutions. He was known for decorating (‘alankara’) the idol of Lord Krishna at Sri Krishna Mutt in over 300 different styles. “I am happy that his ‘Aradhane’ has been performed in a big manner at the ‘moola mutt’ here and at the Krishna Mutt in Udupi. I thank both Vishwavallabha Tirtha of Sode Mutt and Vidyadheesha Tirtha Swami of Paryaya Palimar Mutt for it,” he said.

Though the ‘Aradhane’ should have been held on 13th day after the death, it was delayed as moola mutt was in police custody.

A controversy broke out after Kasturba Hospital, where the seer died, issued a statement on ‘suspicion of poisoning.’ However, the FSL report issued said that there were no traces of poison or heavy metals in the seer’s body.