Kanchi Sankara Mutt pontiff Jayendra Saraswathi dead

Kanchipuram: Jayendra Saraswathi, the 69th pontiff of the Sankara Mutt in Kanchipuram passed away here on Wednesday in a private hospital. He was 82.

The pontiff was ailing for some time. He was admitted to the private hospital early on Wednesday, an official said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi mourned the death of the 69th pontiff of the Sankara Mutt in Kanchipuram in Tamil Nadu.

Saraswathi passed away at a private hospital in Kanchipuram on Wednesday. He was 82. He was ailing for some time and was admitted to the hospital early on Wednesday.

Modi said he was "deeply anguished" by the passing away of the pontiff of the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham.

https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/968721909633507329

"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," Modi tweeted along with his pictures with the pontiff.

https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/968721674286895104

He said that Saraswathi was at the forefront of "innumerable community service initiatives".

"He nurtured institutions which transformed the lives of the poor and downtrodden," Modi said.