Chennai, India - The two Shankaracharyas in Tamil Nadu, who are prime accused in the murder of a temple official, are set to return to their Kanchipuram mutt, sources at the sect's headquarters have said.
They are expected to be back at the mutt Wednesday by 6 a.m., considered an auspicious time.
Shankaracharya Jayendra Saraswathi, the Sankara sect's chief, was accused of plotting the killing of a temple official named A. Sankararaman - who criticised him - in September last year.
In November, the high profile pontiff was arrested by the J. Jayalalitha government, sparking a huge political row.
Among the 25 odd people accused of involvement in the crime was also the junior pontiff of the mutt, Vijayendra Saraswathi, and his brother Raghu. He and his brother were subsequently arrested.
Jayendra Saraswathi was released on bail Jan 11 and ordered by the court to stay away from the mutt as the prosecution said he could tamper with evidence. Ever since, Jayendra Saraswathi has been living in a small town called Kalavai, 40 km from Kanchipuram, where the sect has a sanctuary.
Vijayendra Saraswathi and his brother have also been granted bail after spending weeks in jail.
Vijayendra had been ordered to stay in Chennai until the bail condition was relaxed last week when he moved to Kalavai to stay with his mentor.
The pontiffs will bring back to the mutt with them the deity worshipped daily by this Saiviite sect, the Chandramouliswara, which was also moved to Kalavai so that the priest could perform the ritual worship.
Devotees have planned a grand reception to welcome the pontifs back to the mutt, the sources say.