Udupi: Udupi Admar Mutt senior seer Sri Vishwapriya Tirtha Swamiji has said that he has handed over the entire responsibility of the mutt to his junior, Sri Ishapriya Tirtha Swamiji.

Sri Vishwapriya, having been ordained into Sanyasa in 1972 by his Guru Late Vibhudapriya Swamiji, is 60 now. He told reporters in Udupi on Saturday that he intended to hand over the responsibility to his successor at a time when he was hale and healthy.

He noted that the present day atmosphere requires worldly skills too along with spiritual talent to run a religious institution.

His junior, ordained into Sanyasa in 2014 at Kunjargiri, possesses both spiritual and worldly knowledge, Sri Vishwapriya said and added that Sri Ishapriya would be able to discharge his responsibilities effectively.

Sri Vishwapriya Tirtha said that the junior seer would independently handle the finances, puja, mantrakshata and administration of the mutt henceforth. Whenever his guidance or intervention was required, he would be there to do so. He would continue as the president of the Admar Education Trust, while Sri Ishapriya Tirtha would be the working president and join hands in running educational institutions.

Asked who would perform the Paryaya 2020 as it was Admar Mutt’s turn to do the honours, Sri Vishwapriya Tirtha did not give a specific answer. He, however, said that he would conduct puja and other rituals during the Paryaya. Sri Vishwapriya Tirtha said that he was 33 when he undertook his first Paryaya in 1988-89 while his successor is also 33 when getting independent responsibility of the mutt.

Sri Ishapriya Tirtha said that his senior’s decision came as a surprise to him a couple of days ago and he did not relent despite much persuasion. The senior’s decision also gives out a message to society, the junior swamiji said and added that he would always seek guidance from the senior in every aspect of the administration.