Last rites of 45th pontiff of Ahobila mutt performed

The last rites were conducted today to the mortal remains of 45th pontiff of Sri Ahobila Mutt, Narayana Yadindra Mahadesigan who passed away at nearby Srirangam late last night.
Mutt sources said the last rites were performed at the Mutt premises adjoining the Dasavathara Sannidhi temple in that town.
Earlier, the flower-decked palanquin bearing the body of the pontiff, who passed away after a prolonged illness, was taken around the main thoroughfares of Srirangam as per tradition.
The mortal remains were then kept in a hall to enable the public to pay homage and later placed near the samadhi of the 44th pontiff.

Wreaths were placed around the body on behalf of the state government.
Mutt sources said a memorial would be raised at the mutt premises.
The pontiff, born on December 12, 1926 at Villivalam in North Arcot district, studied at Madras University and passed the Nyaya siromani in 1949.
He was a also a Bhagavad Gita scholar and editor of the Mutt's monthly magazine 'Sri Narashimha Priya.' He became the mutt head in September 1991.