Kanchi Shankaracharya Jayendra Saraswathi passes away at 82

NewsBharati    28-Feb-2018
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Kanchipuram (Tamil Nadu), Feb 28: Jagadguru Shankaracharya of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham Jayandra Saraswathi Swamigal passed away on Wednesday following cardiac arrest. He was 82.

The pontiff was rushed to ABC Hospital near Kamakshi Ammam temple in Kanchipuram, as he suffered from breathing difficulties, where he breathed his last. The hospital and Mutt sources confirmed his demise.

The mutt administration issued a brief statement on their website.

“The 69th Acharya of Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam Jagadguru Pujyashri Jayendra Saraswathi Shankaracharya Swamigal attained Siddhi at 9.00 am today — Shukla Trayodashi — 28 Feb. 2018 at Sri Kanchi Kamakotii Peetam Sankara Matam, Kanchipuram.”

He will be succeeded by Vijayendra Saraswathi, who will be anointed as the 70th Shankaracharya of the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam.

Jayendra Saraswathi Swamigal was the 69th Shankaracharya in the tradition and some years ago he had named Vijayendra Saraswathi Swamigal as his successor. The Acharya was suffering from health problems and as his condition deteriorated in January he was admitted to hospital but later on discharged.

Jayendra Saraswathi was selected to be successor of the then presiding Shankaracharya of the Kanchi Kamkoti Peetham Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswathi Swamigal in 1954 and in 1994 he succeeded as 69th Shankaracharya of the Kanchi peetham. Now after his demise, Sri Vijayendra Saraswathi Swamigal will succeed him as 70th Acharya of the Mutt.

PM, Vice President condole Seer’s death: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu and MEA Sushma Swaraj condoled the departure of Shankaracharya Jayendra Saraswathi Swamigal. In a condolence message Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that he was ‘deeply anguished’ by the demise of the Kanchi Seer.

In a series of twitter posts, Modi said, “Deeply anguished by the passing away of Acharya of Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam Jagadguru Pujyashri Jayendra Saraswathi Shankaracharya. He will live on in the hearts and minds of lakhs of devotees due to his exemplary service and noblest thoughts. Om Shanti to the departed soul.”


“Jagadguru Pujyashri Jayendra Saraswathi Shankaracharya was at the forefront of innumerable community service initiatives. He nurtured institutions which transformed the lives of the poor and downtrodden,” the Prime Minister added.


Vice President Venkaiah Naidu said Jayendra Saraswathi’s contribution to the welfare of mankind will always inspire others. He said, “I pay my respects to Kanchi peethadhipathi Shri Jayendra Saraswati who attained moksha. His contribution for the welfare of mankind and in promoting spirituality will always be an inspiration for others. #JayendraSaraswathi.”

Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj too condoled the demise of Shankaracharya Jayendra Saraswathi.


Sri Jayendra Saraswathi was born Tamil Nadu’s Thiruvarur district in 1935 and was chosen as the successor to Praamacharya Jagadguru Shankaracharya Chandrasekharendra Saraswathi in 1954 at the age of 19.

Nearly forty years after he was chosen as a successor, Jayendra Saraswathi succeeded Chandrasekharendra Saraswathi as the 69th Shankaracharya of the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam in 1994.

He was arrested in 2004 Deepawali day by the then Jayajalithaa Government in a murder case but later acquitted by the court.

He was closely associated with the Viushwa Hindu Parisahd and RSS in their mission against eradication of untouchabiity and uplift of the downtrodden and neglected social sections of the Hindu Society. He played a key role in resolving the Ayodhya Ramjanmabhumi issue.