Basava Dharma Peetha head Mathe Mahadevi passes away

Mathe Mahadevi (74), the first female jagadguru of the Lingayat community passed away on Thursday at city's Manipal Hospital due to a cardiac arrest.

She was diagnosed with end-stage renal failure and was admitted to the hospital since March 8.

Dr Sudarshan Ballal, chairman, Manipal hospitals said Mathe Mahadevi had a long history of diabetes, chronic lung disease and was on dialysis for kidney disease. She presented with bloodstream infection, septicaemia and multiorgan failure.

“She had a prolonged renal illness and was on an advanced life support system, since admission, she required multiple organ and life supports including ventilation, BP support, and dialysis. Her condition was extremely critical and she was receiving broad-spectrum antibiotics for sepsis. The ICU, nephrology and pulmonology teams were providing the best care to her round the clock.”

The hospital had briefed the media about her health condition on Thursday morning stating that she was in a critical condition. After being told that the jagadguru had just a few hours left to live, her disciples performed certain poojas and she breathed her last at around 4:45 pm.

The Lingayat seer was also the head of the Basava Dharma Peetha, Koodalasangama and was very vocal about having a separate religion status for Lingayat community.