Dr. Shivakumara Swami, the 111-year-old seer of Siddaganga Mutt, passed away on Monday at the Mutt in Tumakuru.
His body will be kept at the Mutt premises till tomorrow to enable people to pay their last respects. The burial is expected to be held tomorrow evening. The Karnataka government has declared three-day mourning and a State-wide public holiday on Tuesday. A holiday has been declared on Monday in Tumakuru as well.
The death of the seer, who had braved many medical procedures despite his advanced age, was announced by Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy. Recalling his contribution as an educationist and a social reformer, the chief minister mourned the loss of the seer. "He provided free education thousands of children from depressed classes," said Mr. Kumaraswamy.
He also appealed for calm.
Deputy chief minister G. Parameshwara described him as "modern day Basavanna". He also appealed to the Centre to confer Bharata Ratna on the departed seer. BJP state president B.S. Yeddyurappa described his death as a great loss to the community and beyond.
Home Minister M.B. Patil described him as a true follower of 12th century reformer Basaveshwara.
Keeping vigil
As word of his failing health spread, thousands people from in and around Tumakuru, and politicians cutting across party lines, had gathered at the mutt to keep vigil.
Popularly known as ‘Nadedaaduva Devaru’ (Walking God), Shivakumara Swami was initiated into Viraktha Ashrama in 1930. Before becoming the seer, he went by his name Shivanna, and was born on April 1, 1908 at Veerapura, Magadi taluk, Ramanagara district.
Many prominent politicians, including Mr. Yeddyurappa and Mr. Patil, are at the mutt. The Head of Adichunchungiri mutt, Nirmalananda Swami, also arrived at the mutt at midday.
The 111-year-old seer of Siddaganga mutt, who was on ventilation support until recently, was brought back to the mutt on January 16. He was being treated for a lung infection which he developed after undergoing a liver bypass.