Over 1,000 volunteers reconstruct saint Sri Vyasaraja Tirtha’s vandalised tomb in Koppal

BALLARI: More than 1,000 volunteers across the state reconstructed the samadhi (tomb) of Sri Vyasaraja Tirtha on Friday.
Sri Vyasaraja Tirtha is the most celebrated saint of Madhwa Brahmins and his tomb at Anegundi, Gangavathi taluk in Koppal district on the banks of the Tungabhadra river, was vandalised on Thursday. After pictures of it went viral on social media, thousands of devotees rushed to the Nava Brindavana Gadde and started reconstruction.Many seers of different mutts rushed to the site and guided worshippers even as devotees of all castes chipped involuntarily.
Saint Vyasaraja Tirtha, guru of Sri Krishnadevaraya of the Vijayanagar Empire, entered Brindavan in 1539. Yati of Madhwacharya, Sosale Vyasaraja Mutt, is organising his death anniversary.
Police suspect local treasure hunters and hope to nab the vandals soon. Venkatesh Rao Kulkarni, 47, secretary in a private bank, said: “We have heard of such incidents at Hampi and other historical sites. This time, miscreants attacked our spiritual site and we strongly condemn it.”
Leaders, devotees protest
Hosapete-based Samana Manaskara Okkuta (Like-Minded Persons Forum), including Veerasaiva, SSK Samaj and Ambedkar Followers Forums, among others, jointly protested at Rotary Circle on Friday and condemned the incident.
Brahmin Samaj leaders led the protest and sent a memorandum to the state government through the taluk administration. They demanded the arrest of vandals and sought the protection of historical and spiritual sites.