“Walking God” Shivakumara Swamiji, 111-Year-Old Siddaganga Seer, Passes Away

“Walking God” Shivakumara Swamiji, 111-Year-Old Siddaganga Seer, Passes Away

Tumkur, Karnataka. Shivakumara Swamiji, the 111-year-old Siddaganga seer passed away on Monday morning.  Swamiji breathed his last at 11:44 am and the last rites will be held on Tuesday at 4:30 pm.  The Lingayat seer was not in good health for the past two months.

Dr. Shivakumara Swamiji, the chief pontiff of the Siddaganga Mutt, was also fondly called Nadedaduva Devaru or ‘Walking God’ by his followers. Shivakumara Swami was one of the highly respected religious and philanthropist of the Lingayat-Veerashaiva faith. The Lingayat seer also headed the Sree Siddaganga Education Society which runs more than 100 educational institutions across Karnataka.

PM Narendra Modi also posted his heart touching tribute on twitter . “His Holiness Dr. Sree Sree Sree Sivakumara Swamigalu lived for the people, especially the poor and vulnerable. He devoted himself towards alleviating ills like poverty, hunger and social injustice. Prayers and solidarity with his countless devotees spread all across the world,” he tweeted. Congress president Rahul Gandhi said the seer’s passing had left a “deep spiritual void”.

His Holiness Dr. Sree Sree Sree Sivakumara Swamigalu lived for the people, especially the poor and vulnerable. He devoted himself towards alleviating ills like poverty, hunger and social injustice.

Prayers and solidarity with his countless devotees spread all across the world. pic.twitter.com/AqgOLgqTrn

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 21, 2019

HH Dr. Sree Sree Sree Sivakumara Swamigalu remained at the forefront of ensuring better healthcare and education facilities for the marginalised.

He represents the best of our traditions of compassionate service, spirituality and protecting the rights of the underprivileged. pic.twitter.com/Tp6o5ULU2d

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 21, 2019

I have had the privilege to visit the Sree Siddaganga Mutt and receive the blessings of His Holiness Dr. Sree Sree Sree Sivakumara Swamigalu.

The wide range of community service initiatives being done there are outstanding and are at an unimaginably large scale. pic.twitter.com/wsmRp2cERd

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 21, 2019

Massive security arrangements are in place around the shivganga mutt as his followers are coming to catch a glimpse of their spiritual leader. He was awarded the Padma Bhushan and both Chief Minister Kumaraswamy and Mr Yeddyurappa had said the seer should be awarded the Bharat Ratna, the country’s highest civilian award.