Photo: Karnataka Regional Bishops and Pontiff Shivakumara Swami when they had called on him some months back.
Bengaluru: The Catholic Church in India on Monday expressed deep sorrow at the passing away of Dr. Shivakumara Swami, the seer who headed Sree Siddaganga Mutt in Karnataka’s Tumakuru, at the age of 111 years after weeks of treatment.
Often known as “the walking god,” Shivakumara Swami founded the Sri Siddaganga Education Society, helping thousands access education. He also had an honorary doctorate in literature. The seer was a philanthropist and touched the lives of many, from different religions and castes.
In a message addressed to Sri Sri. Siddalingaswamiji of Shri Siddaganga Mutt, Most Rev. Dr Peter Machado, Metropolitan Archbishop of Bangalore expressed deep regret and sorrow at the sad demise of Sri Sri Shivakumar Swamiji.
Offering words of comfort, Archbishop Dr. Machado said, “Swamiji was an extraordinary spiritual leader, humanitarian and educationist. In his untimely death, we have lost a Saint who walked the face of the earth with a heart of love for the poor and the marginalised. His contribution to the society and the mankind has lost count. A seer with a divine touch transcended all barriers in reaching out to lakhs of children belonging to the economically weaker sections of the society, without prejudice and discrimination based on the lines of caste, creed, colour, region and religion.”
“In this moment of sadness, the Christian Community of Bangalore, joins me in expressing our heartfelt and deep condolence. In this hour of grief and sorrow, we pray that the Lord may grant strength and fortitude to overcome this irreparable loss,” the Archbishop added.
Dr. Shivakumara Swami was considered one of the most esteemed religious and social practitioners of the Lingayat-Veerashaiva faith of Lingayatism.
Bishop Theodore Mascarenhas, SFX, Secretary General, Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) too offered condolences at the loss and said, “We join in the sorrow of his devotees and pray to the Almighty to grant him eternal rest.”
Karnataka will observe three-day mourning and schools, colleges and government offices will be closed on Tuesday as a mark of respect for the seer revered by millions.
A team of specialists from Bengaluru had been treating the Swamiji for days and he was also briefly taken to Chennai before being brought back to the mutt. Shivakumara Swami had developed a lung infection after an operation in December.
Top political leaders mourned the death of the Lingayat seer. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also posted a moving tribute. Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy and former chief minister BS Yeddyurappa united in expressing their grief and addressed the media jointly.
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.
Massive security arrangements are in place around the mutt that was surrounded by hundreds of devotees who had travelled to Tumakur try and catch a glimpse of their spiritual leader.