Tumakuru, Jan 22: Tens of thousands of devotees made a beeline leading to Sri Siddaganga Mutt on Tuesday, to have a glimpse of the ‘Walking God’ Sri Shivakumara swamiji the who passed away at an age of 111 years due to age related issues, here yesterday.
Large numbers of devotees who stood in the queue that spanned for over six kilometer to have the darshan of their most loved sage, and the air was rented with the slogans saying ‘’Shivakumara Swamiji ki Jai’’.
The district administration, police and Mutt officials made arrangements for the devotees to have the darshan of the mortal rempains of the seer, who championed the cause of social, educational and philanthropic activities spread over eight decades..
Devotees and saints thronged in huge numbers and paid tribute to the seer. His last rites will be performed today at 5.30 pm at his chosen ‘Kriya Samadhi’ in the premises of the Siddaganga Mutt.
Defence minister Nirmala Sitaraman will arrive in the city later this evening to pay last respects to the seer. She will be representing the Prime Minister.
Padma Bhushan Sri Shivakumara swamiji is revered as the modern day social reformer in comparison to 12th century saint Basaveshwara. He had chosen his tomb in the Mutt premises where he wanted to enter turning 100 years of age and rest till death. But, he had to relent from the ‘Jeeva Samadhi’ (by entering one’s grave), one of the ways ascetics chose to attain moksha. But the pontiff had to relent due to demand of devotees and to respect the Law.
The burial of mortal remains of the seer will be carried out in the presence of various religious heads besides political leaders and his devotees at 5.30 pm today, with the state honor.
Besides Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumarsawamy, Defence minister Nirmala Sitaraman will represent Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Chief Minister of Puducherry Narayana Swamy also paid floral tributes to the Dr Shivakumara swamiji.
Meanwhile, while the situation remained peaceful despite as lakhs of devotees congregating in the city, Director General of Police Ms Neelamani N Raju held a review meeting of security arrangements. Over 3000 police persons were deployed at the Mutt premises alone, she said.
Since yesterday over one million devotees assembled at the Mutt overnight and had the last glimpse of the religious leader.
Yoga guru Baba Ramdev, who arrived in the city to pay his tributes to Sri Shivakumaraswamiji said the social reformer and champion of upliftment of the poor of all religion excelled in making contribution to education, sports, fine arts and other fields and he deserves ‘Bharata Ratna’ award.
‘’For the man who strived for uplift of downtrodden getting the highest honour, is nothing but honouring the country.
He arrived in Bengaluru from New Delhi this morning and drove straight to Siddaganga Mutt to have darshan of the seer.
NHAI announced that there is no Toll charges made between Bengaluru and Tumakuru on NH 4. All the Toll Plazas have closed facilitating toll free vehicular movement to pay homage to Shivakumara Swamiji.
The Southwestern Railway, on account of demise of Shivakumar Swamiji provided stoppage for major express trains from across South India, both up and down directions from and to Yesvantpur and Bengaluru central city railway station to have a temporary stoppage at Kyatasandra railway station on the outskirts of the city, to enable devotees to reach the Mutt to have last darshan of the departed Seer, a press release said on Tuesday.
Besides SWR is also running four special trains including two Demu services to Tumakuru. All trains running via Tumakuru are augmented with additional coaches.
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