Self styled godman Nithyananda , who is embroiled in several
controversies and facing criminal charges including rape, was on Friday
removed as the successor of the mutt head of Madurai Aadheenam, a 1500-
year-old Saivite mutt.
The appointment of the self-styled godman hailing from
A terse announcement removing Nithyananda from the Aadheenam was made
by Desikar in a brief interaction with the media in the temple town of
Madurai.
The sacking of Nithyananda came a day after the government’s Hindu religious and charitable endowment department moved a local court in Madurai seeking the removal of Desikar himself for making the appointment that it alleged violated the traditions of the possibly oldest Saivite mutt in the country.
When asked why the person whom he had appointed was removed, Desikar said “you know better.”
He also told media persons that fearing for his life, he had sought police protection as he faced threats from Nittyananda’s disciples.
The appointment of Nithyananda as the successor to the Madurai Mutt head Desikar had shocked the people and the leaders of religious bodies that condemned the development and questioned as to how a man facing serious criminal charges, including rape could even be considered for holding such a high position in a prestigious and respected religious body.
In a related development, the Madras high court on Friday reserved its orders on a bunch of petitions praying for Nithyananda’s removal.
http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/Chennai/Nithyananda-sacked-as-successor-of-Madurai-Mutt-head/Article1-947454.aspx
The appointment of the self-styled godman hailing from
Karnataka one and half years ago as the successor of the
Madurai Aadheenam head Arunagirinatha Desikar was widely condemned by
Hindu religious bodies and even the government.
The sacking of Nithyananda came a day after the government’s Hindu religious and charitable endowment department moved a local court in Madurai seeking the removal of Desikar himself for making the appointment that it alleged violated the traditions of the possibly oldest Saivite mutt in the country.
When asked why the person whom he had appointed was removed, Desikar said “you know better.”
He also told media persons that fearing for his life, he had sought police protection as he faced threats from Nittyananda’s disciples.
The appointment of Nithyananda as the successor to the Madurai Mutt head Desikar had shocked the people and the leaders of religious bodies that condemned the development and questioned as to how a man facing serious criminal charges, including rape could even be considered for holding such a high position in a prestigious and respected religious body.
In a related development, the Madras high court on Friday reserved its orders on a bunch of petitions praying for Nithyananda’s removal.
http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/Chennai/Nithyananda-sacked-as-successor-of-Madurai-Mutt-head/Article1-947454.aspx
Hi,
ReplyDeleteI am an ex-devotee, who has spent a lot of time volunteering and traveling whenever I could to see and hear Nithyananda, and do all those programs. In the fall of 2009, I even travelled to Bidadi Ashram to be a part of Inner Awakening as well as the more intensive 3 month program. I spent nearly $10,000 on these programs alone. I was there during that December when the now infamous video was made. I remember at the time thinking...why doesn't he show up for the evening satsangs? Indeed towards the end of my stay, Nithyananda showed up less and less for our satsangs and instructions. Even Ma Maneesha, our teacher, was not able to come and instruct our classes, as she had to attend Nithyananda's meetings with his Ashramites, (there were a lot of daily meetings that would last many hours with those Ashramites). So, we just had a lot of "group work" with one of the attendees serving as a stand-in instructor. I remember becoming a bit disenchanted with it all at the time, and I even left early.
Then when I found out what was going on, when the scandal came to light later in the year, and also all of the other bad things that i had read on blogs such as this one and the "Nithyananda Cult" blog, it all affected my spiritual beliefs and practice. I began to doubt everything and to even feel ashamed that I was so swept up with it all that I even left my 17year old son with a practical stranger so that I could go to Bidadi Ashram and spend 3 whole months with the "Master".
Now two years later, I am beginning to open my heart again and to learn to trust my "inner guru". But I still would very much like to talk to others who have gone through similar experiences with this cult. I would really appreciate it if you could please write back and give me some advice. I am still haunted by my cult experiences and I would like to also know if there is any chance that we could get some of our money back.
With best regards, and
Namaste