Siddaganga Mutt seer remembered

Various organisations held condolence meetings in Madikeri on Tuesday to pay tribute to late Siddaganga Mutt seer Shivakumara Swami.

In a condolence meeting organised by Kodagu Lekhakara Mathu Kalavidara Balaga, people paid floral tribute to a portrait of the Swami.

Balaga president Keshava Kamath said that the seer was popularly known as Nadedaduva Devaru” (Walking God) and “Kayaka Yogi” who offered free meals and education to lakhs of students.

The seer had upheld the principles of humanity by asking his disciples to announce his death only after offering dasoha to students in the afternoon, he said.

“I had seen him distributing prasadam to each devotee when I had visited Siddaganga Mutt five years ago. All of us should imbibe ideals followed by the seer,” he added.

Member T P Ramesh said the seer had left an everlasting impact through his philanthropic services. He had started 126 educational institutions and paved the way for the future of lakhs of children.

Kalavidara Balaga member B A Shamshuddin said, “The seer who had propagated equality is a role model for youth. He should be conferred with the Bharat Ratna, the country’s highest civilian honour posthumously.”

Patrika Bhavana Trust president B N Manu Shenoy said, “The seer who had given utmost importance to the education of children is like a god for us.”

Recalling the visit of the seer to the district, he said the seer had a close affinity with the devotees.

Napoklu PU College lecturer Dr Avanija Somaiah also spoke.

In Suntikoppa, merchants had voluntarily shut down their business establishments for 45 minutes as a mark of respect to the departed soul.