Kanchi seer Jayendra Saraswati passes away

CHENNAI: Jayendra Saraswathi, renowned spiritual leader and the 69th head of the ‘Kanchi Kamakoti’ mutt, breathed his last on Wednesday at a private hospital in Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu. The 82-year-old seer was admitted to the hospital after complaining of breathing difficulties, following which he suffered a cardiac arrest, mutt officials said. The junior pontiff, Vijayendra Saraswathi, will succeed Jayendra Saraswathi.

Jayendra Saraswathi was born Subramaniam Mahadeva Iyer on July 18, 1935, at Irulneeki in Thiruvarur district. In 1954, at 19, he was given the pontifical title ‘Jayendra Saraswathi’ and anointed the successor to the Kanchi Mutt by his guru, and the 68th pontiff of the mutt, Chandrashekarendra Saraswathi.

Under the guru’s tutelage, he delivered religious and spiritual discourses in various cities and involved himself in social welfare work.


Jayendra Saraswathi was markedly different in his approach towards the spiritual leadership of the mutt. The first highlight of this approach was underlined by a controversial incident that took place on August 22, 1987, when the seer, without warning, decided to leave the mutt. Three days later he was located in Karnataka. After 17 days of his departure, he chose to return to the mutt. In 1994, he became the head of the mutt (after his predecessor’s passing) which rose to spiritual and financial prominence under his guidance, running hospitals and educational institutions, including a medical college.

Sarada Peetham seer Swamy Swaroopanandendra Saraswathi, who worked closely with him, said: “With his encouragement, we took up initiatives like bringing Dalits back into the Hindu fold by visiting their colonies and taking utsava idols to their doorsteps.”

In 2003, he initiated a dialogue with leaders of AIMPLB over the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid issue in Ayodhya. 2004-2005 proved to be most challenging year for Jayendra Saraswathi as he was arrested in connection with an alleged conspiracy to murder Sankararaman, manager of the Varadaraja Perumal temple, Kanchipuram, on November 11, 2004.

The seer was in jail till January 5, 2005, after which he was released. After a prolonged trial, he and all other accused were cleared of all charges by a Puducherry special court in 2013, citing lack of incriminating evidence.

President, VP, PM, BJP and Congress chiefs and other political and religious leaders have expressed condolences at his demise.