Last rites of 'Walking God' Shivakumara Swamy to be performed today
Bangalore, Jan 22 (IBNS): The last rites of Shivakumara Swamy, the head of Karnataka's Sree Siddaganga Mutt, will be held on Tuesday in Tumakuru.
According to reports, the last rites of the religious leader will be performed with full state honour at around 4.30 pm.
Considered as one of the oldest people who was living in India, the religious leader was 111 when he died on Monday.
Swamy was affectionately called by his followers as the 'Walking God'.
Karnataka government has announced three-day morning to pay respect to Swamy.
From Modi to Congress chief Rahul Gandhi, several political leaders expressed their grief on the demise of the religious leader on the social media.
Swamy was considered to be a well known religious practitioner of Lingayatism faith.
India has lost a divine soul..#ShivakumaraSwamiji pic.twitter.com/Gl09f08HBs
— CM of Karnataka (@CMofKarnataka) January 21, 2019
He was in ventilator for last 15 days.
Politicians condole:
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted: "I have had the privilege to visit the Sree Siddaganga Mutt and receive the blessings of His Holiness Dr. Sree Sree Sree Sivakumara Swamigalu. The wide range of community service initiatives being done there are outstanding and are at an unimaginably large scale."
I have had the privilege to visit the Sree Siddaganga Mutt and receive the blessings of His Holiness Dr. Sree Sree Sree Sivakumara Swamigalu.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 21, 2019
The wide range of community service initiatives being done there are outstanding and are at an unimaginably large scale. pic.twitter.com/wsmRp2cERd
The official Twitter page of the Karnataka Chief Minister posted: "India has lost a divine soul.#ShivakumaraSwamiji."
Congress president Rahul Gandhi posted: "I am sorry to hear about the passing of Shivakumar Swami Ji, Pontiff of the Siddaganga Mutt. Swami Ji was respected & revered by millions of Indians, from all religions & communities. His passing leaves behind a deep spiritual void. My condolences to all his followers."
I am sorry to hear about the passing of Shivakumar Swami Ji, Pontiff of the Siddaganga Mutt. Swami Ji was respected & revered by millions of Indians, from all religions & communities. His passing leaves behind a deep spiritual void. My condolences to all his followers.
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) January 21, 2019
Born on Apr 1, 1907, Swamy as an Indian spiritual leader, humanitarian and educationist. He was a Hindu religious figure of the Lingayatism sect and head of the Siddaganga Matha in Karnataka.
He also founded the Sri Siddaganga Education Society.
He was described as the most esteemed adherent of Lingayatism.
He studied English in college and is proficient in Kannada and Sanskrit.
He had established educational institutions which offer courses in traditional learning of Sanskrit as well as modern science and technology. He is widely respected for his philanthropic work by all communities.
In recognition of his humanitarian work, the Swami was conferred with an honorary degree of Doctor of Literature by Karnataka University in 1965.
Image: CM of Karnataka Twitter page
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