Religious heads mourn death of Siddaganga Mutt seer

Mysuru: Religious leaders and the Mysuru royal family have condoled the death of Siddaganga Mutt seer Shivakumara Swami.
Speaking to TOI, Hazrath Moulana Mohammed Usman Shariff, Sir Khaszi of Mysuru, who had met Shivakumara Swami many times, said: “It’s really a great loss — not only to Karnataka, but also to the country. Irrespective of community, the swamiji helped lakhs of people, including Muslims, in Tumakuru. He also extended financial support to build mosques. He is a highly respected religious head. With his demise, we have lost a great seer who strived for the welfare of people irrespective of caste, creed and community.”

In her condolence message, Pramoda Devi Wadiyar said: “I’m saddened by the demise of the divine personality. He was unique and his selfless service to society was extraordinary. He was a formidable saviour of the poor. His Gurukula housing over 8,500 children from all religions provide them food, shelter and education (Trividha dasoha), and this is unparalleled service...”

Sri Ganapathi Sachchidananda Ashram seer Ganapathi Sachchidananda said the loss has left him saddened. “The seer’s Akshara Dasoha and Anna Dasoha to lakhs of people are two unforgettable and wonderful services to society,” he said.

Charukeerty Bhattaraka Swami of the Shravanabelagola said that the seer transformed Siddaganga into Jnanaganga. “Besides being the senior-most seer, he was a rare saint the country has ever seen. The Walking God changed the lives of lakhs through free education, mass feeding and social reforms. He is the revolutionary saint who treated everyone equally,” he said.

More than a lakh from across Mysuru district are expected to pay last respects to the swami. Thousands of them have already left for Tumakuru.

Seer’s Mysuru connection

Shivakumara Swami had a close connection with Mysuru, especially Suttur Mutt.

Retired professor Maleyur Guruswamy said Shivakumara Swami had been visiting Mysuru since 1930. “He was calling on Gowrishankar Swami, who was senior to him. Then Suttur seer Rajendra Mahaswami too was meeting Gowrishankar Swami, and such meetings made the bond between the three swamis strong. But after the demise of Gowrishankar Swami, the other two seers continued to meet.”

According to Guruswamy, Shivakumara Swami, besides being a BA graduate was well versed in Sanskrit and English. “He used to take English classes at the mutt. Apart from traditional knowledge, he also used to speak about Einstein and his achievements. Irrespective of caste, creed and community, Shivakumara Swami helped people,” he said.

Shivakumara Swami had always visited Suttur Mutt during his visit to Mysuru, and he never missed Suttur Jathra (annual fair). He had also inaugurated 10-day Dasara events in 2008.

The last event that Shivakumara Swami attended in the city was the inaugural of the centenary celebrations of late Shivarathri Rajendra Mahaswami at Maharaja grounds on January 2016.