'Walking God' Siddaganga seer last rites held with state honours

Tumkuru: The last rites of Dr Shivakumara Swami, the head pontiff of five-centuries-old Siddaganga Mutt was conducted with state honours in the Mutt premises on Tuesday evening.

Thousands of devotees, including state chief minister H D Kumaraswamy and former chief ministers – B S Yeddyurappa and Siddaramaiah – as well as other central and state ministers attended the funeral. 

Dr Shivakumara Swami also known as the “Walking God” passed away at the age of 111 on Monday.

Following his demise Kumaraswamy announced three-day mourning across the state in solidarity with the seer, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was a living example of somebody who lived for the poor and downtrodden in the society.

“His holiness Dr Sree Sree Sree Sivakumara Swamigalu lived for the people, especially the poor and vulnerable. He devoted himself towards alleviating ills like poverty, hunger and social injustice. Prayers and solidarity with his countless devotees spread all across the world,” PM Modi tweeted yesterday.

The Prime Minister also said that Dr Shivakumara Swami used to “treat him like a son” every time he visited his mutt. 

While Modi was not able to attend the funeral, Union Ministers DV Sadananda Gowda and Nirmala Sitharaman represented him at the funeral.