Chennai: Political, social and religious leaders in India have mourned the death of Sri Jayendra Saraswathi, who wielded enormous say in matters affecting the Hindu religion in the country.

The 69th pontiff of the Kanchi mutt (Hindu monastery) died February 28 following a cardiac arrest in Kanchipuram. The temple town is some 75 km southwest of Chennai, capital of Tamil Nadu state in southern India. He was 82.

He was admitted to a hospital in the morning after he complained of breathing problems. He suffered a cardiac arrest. He had been in poor health for much of last year, report agencies.

Vice President Venkaiah Naidu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi were among those who expressed their condolences.

“Deeply anguished by the passing away of Acharya of Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam Jagadguru Pujyashri Jayendra Saraswathi Shankaracharya. He will live on in the hearts and minds of lakhs of devotees due to his exemplary service and noblest thoughts. Om Shanti to the departed soul,” the prime minister tweeted.

The vice president’s condolence message read: “I pay my respects to Kanchi peethadhipathi Shri Jayendra Saraswati who attained moksha. His contribution for the welfare of mankind and in promoting spirituality will always be an inspiration for others.”

Federal Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said he was “deeply saddened” by the pontiff’s death. “With his demise we have lost a great saint of present times, who has been a guiding force for the millions. My prayers for the liberated soul.”

The Indian National Congress also condoled the death: “We regret to hear about the passing away of Kanchi Shankaracharya Jayendra Saraswathi. May his soul rest in peace. Our thoughts go out to his close associates and millions of his followers around the world.”

Mamata Banerjee, chief minister of West Bengal said she was saddened at the death of the Hindu religious leader. “Saddened at the Mahasamadhi of Kanchi Acharya Pujya Jayendra Saraswati ji.”

Anointed a pontiff of the ancient Kanchi mutt when he was barely 19 years old, the Shankaracharya is regarded as one of most influential spiritual leaders of his time.

He was born Subramania Mahadeva Iyer on July, 18, 1935. He was chosen to be deputy of Sri Chabdrasekara Saraswathi, head of the mutt, in 1954.

In 1994, Saraswati became head of the mutt. The religious center became a spiritual and financial power house during his stint, running several hospitals and educational institutions including a medical college. At one point, he negotiated peace in the Ayodhya dispute.

Presidents and prime ministers always made stop-over at the mutt whenever they visited Tamil Nadu.

However, he was arrested in 2004 in connection with a murder case. The acharya had been in jail from November 11, 2004 to January 5, 2005 for the murder of Sankararaman, who was then manager of Varadaraja Perumal temple in Kancheepuram. He and all others were acquitted of all charges by a Puducherry special court in 2013.

The murder case and the shock arrest of both Jayendra Saraswathi and his junior pontiff Vijayendra Saraswathi robbed the spiritual shine of the Kanchi mutt so much that it stopped getting VVIP visits for several years thereafter.

President Pranab Mukherjee broke the taboo when he made a visit to the mutt, weeks before he was to lay down his office.

The Kanchi Mutt was set up by Hindu philosopher and reformist Adi Shankaracharya in the 8th century. It has a huge following in southern India. The junior pontiff Vijayendra Saraswathi will succeed Jayendra Saraswathi.

The rites of the guru will commence from tomorrow, according to the mutt.

His body has been kept at the Kamakoti Peetam for his followers to pay last respects. Many devotees who visited the mutt were in tears and described him as a ‘jagatguru.’