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| Kanchi Shankracharya turns 72 | | |
Thursday, August 10, 2006 (Kanchipuram):
It's time for celebration for thousands of devotees of the Kanchi Shankaracharya as the seer turns 72 on Thursday.
The Kanchi Mutt has organised a grand celebration in his honour to celebrate the day.
This will be the seer's first birthday since his return to the Mutt after the controversial arrest in a murder case in 2004.
Legal worries stood in the way of any celebration on the Kanchi Shankaracharya's birthday last year. The Seer had spent his time quietly in Kalavai, 40 kms away from the Kanchi Mutt.
Seer back to work
Now with Jayalalithaa, who had ordered his arrest for the murder of temple manager Shankar Raman, out of power, Sri Jayendra Saraswati is back in Kanchipuram to his usual routine and to his philosophical self.
"We must all have bhakti. That is the way to real happiness," said Shankracharya.
The Supreme Court had granted bail to the Seer last year and even ordered the transfer of murder case from Tamil Nadu to Pondicherry to facilitate a free and fair trial.
Supporters of the Mutt say the change of guard in the State is the best birthday gift for the Shankaracharya.
"This year he is at peace. There is no tension. That is the difference. That`s because of the change in Government," said K S Dinakaran, Lawyer, Kanchi Mutt.
However, the Seer's post arrest stigma remains. A few months ago Minister Ko Si Mani of the new DMK government came under fire for meeting the religious leader.
The beeline of VVIP visitors round the year has now scaled down to a few high profile visits on special occasions.
So, an eventful birthday is hardly an indication of normalcy returning to the Kanchi Mutt.
The key to the future of one of India's most revered religious heads actually lies in the courts.
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