Chennai, August 18 (IANS)
Nityananda, the fugitive godman who has been eluding the Indian law authorities over several charges of rape and other complaints by his former disciples and devotees have created a major controversy by declaring on social media that he has assumed charge as the 293 pontiff of Madurai Aadheenam.
The 292 pontiff of the Madurai Adheenam, Arunagirinatha Gnanasambantha Desika Paramacharya Swamigal passed away at a private hospital in Madurai on August 13 after respiratory illness. The Swamigal was the pontiff of Madurai Aadheenam for four decades.
After the mortal remains of the pontiff were laid to rest on August 14, Harihara Desika Gnanasambantha Paramacharaya who was named as the junior pontiff by Arunagirinatha Swamigal in 2019 was announced as the 293rd pontiff of Madurai Aadheenam. Mutt authorities told IANS that he would be coronated soon.
However to the surprise of devotees and followers of the Madurai Aadheenam as well as common people, the fugitive godman, Nityananda announced on Social media on Tuesday that he has assumed charge as the 293rd pontiff of Madurai Aadhenam.
Nityananda in the social media post said, “ All the spiritual, dharmic, traditional rituals as per the cosmic laws of Kailasa and official succession formalities as the 293rd pontiff of Madurai Aadheenam is completed”. The fugitive godman had in a similar message on August 9th , when Arunagirinatha Swamigal was hospitalized said that he was the successor of the 292nd pontiff. He had wished Arunagirinatha Swamigal a speedy recovery in that post.
It may be recalled that Nityananda was formally announced as the junior pontiff by Arunagirinatha Swamigal on April 27, 2012, but the senior pontiff removed him from the post on December 19, 2012. Arunagirinatha Swamigal later appointed and removed two junior pontiffs and was entangled in a legal battle.
Nityananda in the social media post also said that he was blessing his devotees virtually on a daily basis.
