Picture Courtesy : Deccan Chronicle
As the mortal remains of 111-year-old Sree Shivakumara Swamiji of Siddaganga mutt, was laid to rest with full state honours at the premises of the seminary he headed for over seven decades, lakhs of people bid adieu with moist eyes.
The most revered Swamiji, who left an indelible imprint with his stellar contributions in the education sector and philanthropy targeted at children in whom he saw the Almighty, was buried as “Kriya Samadhi”, according to Veerashaiva/Lingayat traditions, amid chanting of hymns.
Among those present at the burial ceremony were Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy, former Chief MinistersSiddaramaiah and B S Yeddyurappa, Deputy CM G Parameshwara,Union Minister D V Sadananda Gowda, state Home Minister M B Patil, along with pontiffs of various prominent mutts in the state, including Shivarathri Deshikendra Mahaswamiji of the Sri Suttur Mutt.
lakhs of people thronged the mutt to pay their last respects to the seer, whose mortal remains were placed in a glass box at Gosala Siddeshwara stage in the mutt premises since Monday.
Among prominent people who paid their last respects on Tuesday were former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, former Chief Minister S M Krishna, Leader of the Congress in the Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge, Yoga guru Baba Ramdev and Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayanasamy.
