Vijayendra Saraswathi succeeds Jayendra Saraswathi as Kanchi Sankaracharya

Vijayendra Saraswathi has succeeded as the 70th Jagadguru of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam in Tamil Nadu's Kancheepuram after the demise of Jayendra Saraswathi.

"Our Swamy Ji who was the light for millions of Hindu devotees, who united people from various walks of life, his message of love, has now transcended. Following his teachings we must carry forward on the path shown by him," Vijayendra Saraswathi told media.

Jayendra Saraswathi, who was the 69th pontiff of the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham passed away on February 28.

Earlier in the day, last rites ceremony of Jayendra Saraswathi took place in presence of people who gathered to pay their last respects to Jagadguru.

The 82-year old head of the Kanchi Mutt was suffering from diabetes and had collapsed at the mutt with shortness of breath and was admitted to Chennai's Ramachandra hospital last month.

Jayendra Saraswathi was 69th pontiff of the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham and was named by Chadrasekharendra Saraswati Swamigal as his successor on March 22, 1954.