States » SouthPosted at: Nov 6 2026 6:48PM


Swami Rithambharananda elected Sivagiri Mutt president; Visudhananda is general secretary

Thiruvananthapuram, Nov 6 (UNI) Swami Rithambharananda has been elected president of the Sree Narayana Dharma Sangham Trust, which administers the Sivagiri Mutt at Varkala, following a closely contested election among the newly constituted 11-member governing board.
Swami Visudhananda has been elected general secretary, while Swami Saradananda has retained the post of treasurer.
The new office-bearers were elected on Friday after all 11 members of the trust board took the oath of office at Sivagiri. Outgoing president Swami Satchidananda administered the oath. The newly inducted members subsequently offered prayers at the Maha Samadhi of Sree Narayana Guru before convening the meeting to elect the office-bearers.
Swami Rithambharananda secured the support of six board members, defeating Swami Anapekshananda, who received five votes in the contest for the president's post.
Interestingly, both were part of the same panel during the October 22 election to the trust's governing board for the 2026-2031 term. The outcome of Friday's election reflected a shift in support within the newly elected board.
Swami Rithambharananda has previously served as the trust's general secretary on three occasions, in 2006, 2011 and 2021. Swami Visudhananda, the newly elected general secretary, has also held both the president's and general secretary's positions in the past.
The election to the 11-member governing board, held on October 22, witnessed 32 sanyasis contesting for the positions. Of the 56 monks eligible to vote, 55 exercised their franchise. The outgoing president, Swami Satchidananda, was among the three members of the previous board who failed to secure re-election, marking a significant change in the institution's leadership.
The other members of the new board are Swami Subhangananda, Swami Sandrananda, Swami Anapekshananda, Swami Nithyaswaropananda, Swami Dharmachaithanya, Swami Yogananda, Swami Ambikananda and Swami Guruprakasham.
After assuming office, Swami Rithambharananda said he would strive to take everyone along and ensure the smooth functioning and development of the institution through a collective approach. The newly elected board will administer the trust for the next five years, from 2026 to 2031.
UNI DS
Tags: #Swami Rithambharananda elected Sivagiri Mutt president; Visudhananda is general secretary
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