Sri Vasudeva Sadashivashrama Swamiji, the seer of Balekudru Mutt.
Karnataka: Balekudru Mutt seer goes missing amid allegations of selling ancient idols
According to the police complaint, six idols that were kept at the mutt have gone missing. These include idols of Lord Narasimha, Lord Ganesha and Goddess Mahishamardini, among others.
Sri Vasudeva Sadashivashrama Swamiji, the seer of Balekudru Mutt in Karnataka’s Brahmavar taluk of Udupi district, has reportedly gone missing.
The Swamiji and some staff members have been accused of selling ancient idols that were worshipped at the mutt. A complaint has been filed in connection with the matter, and the police have launched an investigation.
Jagadish Aithal, a disciple of the mutt, lodged a complaint at the Basaveshwaranagar Police Station in Bengaluru.
According to the complaint, six idols that were kept at the mutt have gone missing. These include idols of Lord Narasimha, Lord Ganesha and Goddess Mahishamardini, among others. The disciples claim that these idols were part of a tradition dating back thousands of years.
Idols sold in Bengaluru?
When questioned about the idols, the Swamiji reportedly told them that the old idols had been immersed or disposed of through religious rituals and that new idols had been installed in their place.
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However, the disciples became suspicious after photographs of the missing idols appeared on social media and on a website associated with the sale of idols.
Following this, they lodged a complaint seeking a detailed investigation into the matter. During the investigation, allegations emerged that the idols had been sold.
Information reportedly surfaced that the idols had been sold to an organisation called Prasiddhi Idols, based in Bengaluru. Police reportedly took the organisation's owner, Nagendra Prasad, into custody for questioning. During the interrogation, information relating to the case allegedly came to light.
The names of Anil Kumar, Jayalakshmi and Shreyas have also reportedly surfaced in connection with the case.
Meanwhile, it is alleged that immediately after the FIR was registered, the Swamiji locked the mutt and went missing. The police are making efforts to trace him.
Dispute within Balekudru Mutt
Balekudru Mutt, which follows the Bhagavata tradition, has a history and religious heritage spanning several centuries.
For several years, there had reportedly been differences between the Swamiji and the community of disciples over the administration of the mutt. These disagreements are said to have intensified over the past one or two months.
Another source of friction was the allegation that the Balekudru Swamiji had made derogatory remarks about the Sringeri seer.
The latest allegations concerning the disappearance and sale of ancient idols have now triggered another controversy surrounding the mutt. The police investigation is continuing, and the truth behind these allegations remains to be established through the investigation.
(This article was originally published in The Federal Karnataka)