The Swamiji, who completed a hundred years on Tuesday, has provided food, education, and shelter to more than 10,000 students. Devotees who had arrived from all over the State took the seer’s blessings. They also lit a hundred and one lamps to commemorate the occasion.
The seer awoke at 3 am to perform the Shiva pooja and other religious activity.
Later, the heads of various Mutts accompanied the Swamiji to the dais. There, they performed a pada pooja, and the devotees were of the opinion that the seer looked like Abhinava Basavanna. The thousands of devotees who had converged at the Mutt offered their obeisance to the seer.
State Chief Secretary Sudhakar Rao, deputy commissioner S R Umashankar, Additional Director General (ADGP) Shankar Bidri, Superintendent of Police Dr P S Harsha and others honoured the Swamiji on behalf of the State. Political leaders, cutting across party lines, were present at the celebration. V Somanna, Congress leader Mallikarjuna Kharge, Siddaramaiah, Dr G Parameshwara, G S Basavaraju, Sogadu Shivanna, Ramachandra Gowda, Industrialist Ashok Kheny and hundreds of other prominent citizens were present, with many more arriving till late in the evening. And it was not just these prominent citizens, but also the common people who were allowed a darshan of the seer. Governor Rameshwar Thakur had sent his greetings.
Sumptuous meal
The birthday celebration provided a banquet for the devotees who thronged the celebrations from far off places. Several mouth-watering dishes including boondi, payasam and other items were served to the devotees.
It turned out be a feast for everybody’s taste buds who were part of the celebration. Arrangements had also been made to serve the sumptuous meal to all the devotees who had arrived and not just the VIPs. Industrialist A S Patil gifted a Benz car for the Seer on the occasion.
LEADERS IN UNISON
It was a unique occasion, for, at least the political leaders were all in complete unison with one issue. Many leaders of various political parties who participated in the 101st birthday celebration of the Seer on Tuesday were all full of respect and admiration for the Seer who made a significant revolution in the field of education. “Siddaganga Mutt in Tumkur, apart from being a religious centre is also one of the major centres of education which has been encouraging and spreading knowledge everywhere” - This was the unanimous opinion of the political leaders - Congress leader Siddaramaiah, Mallikharjuna Kharge, BJP leaders Sogadu Shivanna, Ramachandra, and others who attended the function.
They all appreciated the remarkable achievements of the Seer in the field of education. “He almost did a revolution in educating the poor and the needy”, they added.
It was Uddana Shivayogi, then Seer of the Mutt who was the pioneer in lighting the lamp of knowledge in the Mutt. Dr Shivakumar Swamiji who later spread the knowledge lamp through his hard work, dedication, and social service became a household name through his ‘Trividha Dasoha’. He has been a great help to the poor and the needy through free education and boarding facilities which has become famous all over the world. His achievements in the field of education is noteworthy, said Congress leader Siddaramaiah.
Guruvandana
Former Minister V Somanna said that, the Guruvandana programme of the Seer will be celebrated grandly on May 30, 31 and June 1. Preparations are in full swing for the function, he said. On the occasion of Guruvandana programme, a huge Prayer hall will be completed.
