Vijayawada: The pontiff of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham, Jayendra Saraswathi, has been admitted in Andhra Hospital in Vijayawada on Tuesday, as he fell ill suddenly and his condition is said to be critical.

Doctors said that the Swamy took ill as the sodium levels dropped. The seer was brought to the hospital in an unconscious state, by his disciples.

Initial reports said the seer is on ventilator and is being given preliminary treatment. As the news of Jayendra Saraswathi’s illness spread, scores of his followers gathered at the hospital. Local police have cordoned off the area in view of potential increase in the crowd. The seer is one of the leading religious figures in Hinduism today.

It may be recalled that in 2002 and 2004, two different cases were filed against Jayendra Saraswathi and his junior Vijayendra Saraswathi. But the seer was exonerated of all the charges after a long trial.