The demise of 111-year-old Shivakumara Swamy, the chief seer of the Siddaganga Mutt in Tumakuru, has left his followers grief-stricken, including the seers in various Lingayat mutts across the state. Many of them vowed to keep his humanitarian work alive in the future.
Siddarama Mahaswamy of Naganoor Rudrakshi Mutt of Belagavi revered the Lingayat seer as the “tallest” spiritual and social leader in the state. “For us, Shivakumara Swamy will be the Mount Everest of Swamijis in India, the tallest Swamy in the country. He was an example of how to serve the state. He was someone who fueled the dreams of tens of thousands of children by sheltering them and educating them,” Siddarama Mahaswamy told TNM.
He vowed to carry forward the Lingayat seer's work and urged other seers to do the same. “His humanitarian and social work will remain an inspiration for the members of this society. We, his workers, will carry forward his work as a fitting tribute to him since it is a guiding lamp for all of us," he added.
Siddarama's words were echoed by Basava Marulasidda Swamy, the head of Basava Kendra in Shivamogga. “He is a rare guru in the state. Devotion, knowledge and development - he took all three forward and we are proud that someone like him lived for 111 years.”
Considered a 'Walking God' by his devotees, Shivakumara Swamy earned praise for his humanitarian work. He founded a boarding school around 50 years ago to provide free education for underprivileged children. Today, the Siddaganga Educational Society runs more than 125 schools and colleges.
Highlighting this, Basava Marulasidda Swamy said, “He has ensured access to education to underprivileged students especially in north Karnataka and used to take care of the children with great affection.”