KOLLUR: Tantrik Acharya and former chief priest of Sri Mookambika Temple V Manjunatha Adiga passed away on Wednesday. He was 66. By 2 pm on Wednesday, Manjunatha Adiga experienced chest pain and collapsed in the lavatory at his residence. A doctor was rushed to the spot and confirmed the death.

Manjunatha Adiga is the father of Nityananda Adiga, the present tantric and chief priest of the temple. Due to health reasons, Manjunatha Adiga handed over the responsibility of Tantric Karmas to his son and retired to a tranquil life.

Manjunatha Adiga was a big favourite among Malayalee devotees reaching the temple in Kollur. He was disarming, always ready to hear out hardships faced by people and help them come out of it. It was under Manjunatha Adiga’s tenure that Mookambika temple recorded a massive influx of Malayalee devotees. He is the owner of Tantrika Guest House in Kollur.

Wife: Mangala Gauri.. Daughter: Dakshayani. He is the son of Narasimha Adiga and Savita Adiga. Siblings: Late Aruna Adiga, Gauri and Padmavati. The cremation took place in the evening at the family crematorium on the banks of the Souparnika River.