Lingayat pontiff Siddeshwara Swamiji passes away

Vijayapura: Famous Lingayat seer Siddeshwara Swamiji passed away on January 2 after a brief period of illness. He was 82.

Vijayapura DC Dr Vijaymahantesh Danammanavar told media that the pontiff passed away at 6pm at Jnanayogashrama.

Swamiji was suffering from age related ailments. His health had turned worse for the past 3 weeks. However, he refused medical care, except for medication for pain relief.

As the news of his ill-health spread, a large crowd of his followers flocked to the Jnanayogashrama, creating chaos. On instructions from Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai the district administration had tightened security arrangements.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences on the demise of the seer. Paying tributes, PM wrote on Twitter that he will be remembered for his outstanding service to society.

“He worked tirelessly for the betterment of others and was also respected for his scholarly zeal,” PM Modi wrote.