Seers divided over Shankaracharya

HARIDWAR: Seers are divided over the top religious position of Shankaracharya after supporters of Swami Achyutanand Tirth announced that he will take over as Shankaracharya of Sharda Peeth on Saturday. Swami Swaroopanand Saraswati already holds the top position of the Sharda Peeth and Jyotir Peeth.

This has created ambiguity on whether there will be two Shankaracharyas of the same muth or will Swaroopanand Saraswati make way for a successor. However, the saints associated with him said Swami Achutyanand Tirth as Shankracharya is completely against religious traditions.

The Akhil Bhartiya Akhara Parishad, has also refused to recognize Achyutanand as Shankracharya. “He (Swami Achutyanand Teerth) will be boycotted and we will discuss with other organisations to follow the same,” said Mahant Narendra Giri, President of Akhada Parishad.