Swamiji places feet on Shivalinga during ritual, sparks outrage

A video has surfaced on social media showing Siddhaveera Shivacharya Swamiji, the head of Panchagruha Hiremath in Digganv village of Chittapur’s Sedam Taluk, sparking outrage among devotees.

The video, which was taken at the Isha Basaveshwara temple of the Digganv branch matha in Kalakamba village, allegedly shows the Swamiji placing his feet on a Shiva Linga prepared for consecration.

In the video, the large black Shiva Linga is placed in a container while the Swamiji sits on a chair with both feet resting on the Linga. Devotees are seen performing rituals, such as pouring milk over his feet, applying kumkum, and offering bilva leaves and flowers.

This act has drawn sharp criticism from devotees, who have expressed anger over what they see as disrespect to the sacred object.