Shivakumara Swami, the head of the Lingayat-Veerashaiva faith, passed away Monday in Karnataka’s Tumakuru. The 111-year-old pontiff was undergoing treatment for a lung infection and was on ventilator support.Karnataka CM HD Kumaraswamy said the final rites will take place on January 22 at 4.30 pm.
Shivakumara Swami, the head of the Lingayat-Veerashaiva faith, passed away Monday in Karnataka’s Tumakuru. The 111-year-old pontiff was undergoing treatment for a lung infection and was on ventilator support.Karnataka CM HD Kumaraswamy said the final rites will take place on January 22 at 4.30 pm.
“The state government has declared a three-day state mourning and one-day holiday for all schools, colleges and government offices on the demise of Siddaganga Math seer Sri Shivakumara Swamiji,” Kumaraswamy told reporters with BJP leader and former CM Yeddyurappa standing alongside.
Born on April 1, 1907, in Veerapura village of Ramanagara, the Lingayat religious head was well known for his philanthropic activities. In recognition of his social work, he was conferred with the third-highest civilian award, Padma Bhushan, in 2015 and the Karnataka Ratna in 2007.
He was also conferred with an honorary degree of Doctor of Literature by Karnataka University in 1965.
The Lingayat pontiff was also the head of the Siddaganga Matha and the Sree Siddaganga Education Society which runs close to 125 educational institutions in Karnataka.
Shivakumara, a revered figure among the Lingayat community, not only had several politicians in Karnataka among his followers, but such was his popularity that national leaders such as BJP president Amit Shah and Congress leader Sonia Gandhi had in the past paid him a visit to seek his blessings.
Last week, Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy had recommended Swami’s name for the Bharat Ratna. BS Yeddyurappa, the BJP’s state president, also said that their party would request the Prime Minister to confer the seer with the award.
“The state government has declared a three-day state mourning and one-day holiday for all schools, colleges and government offices on the demise of Siddaganga Math seer Sri Shivakumara Swamiji,” Kumaraswamy told reporters with BJP leader and former CM Yeddyurappa standing alongside.
Born on April 1, 1907, in Veerapura village of Ramanagara, the Lingayat religious head was well known for his philanthropic activities. In recognition of his social work, he was conferred with the third-highest civilian award, Padma Bhushan, in 2015 and the Karnataka Ratna in 2007.
He was also conferred with an honorary degree of Doctor of Literature by Karnataka University in 1965.
The Lingayat pontiff was also the head of the Siddaganga Matha and the Sree Siddaganga Education Society which runs close to 125 educational institutions in Karnataka.
Shivakumara, a revered figure among the Lingayat community, not only had several politicians in Karnataka among his followers, but such was his popularity that national leaders such as BJP president Amit Shah and Congress leader Sonia Gandhi had in the past paid him a visit to seek his blessings.
Last week, Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy had recommended Swami’s name for the Bharat Ratna. BS Yeddyurappa, the BJP’s state president, also said that their party would request the Prime Minister to confer the seer with the award.