Shivakumara Swami was an Indian spiritual leader and humanitarian. He is the director of Siddaganga Matha in Karnataka, India and the founder of Sri Siddaganga Educational Society. Swamiji is considered the most revered devotee of Lingayya, a sect of Shaivism in Hinduism.
Biography/Wiki
Shivakumara Swami was born on April 1, 1907 (age: 111 years and 295 days January 2019) in the village of Veerapura near Magadi, Kingdom of Mysore (now Karnataka). His childhood name was Sivana. When he was eight years old, his mother died. He completed his primary education at an English school in Nagavalli (present-day village in Tumkur district of Karnataka). In 1926, he passed the pre-university examination. At the same time, he was a student at Siddaganga Matha (or Mutt) in Tumkur district, Karnataka. For higher education, he enrolled in Bangalore Central College to study Arts and Sciences. He had to drop out of college because he was appointed as Uddana Shivayogi Swami’s successor to head Siddaganga Matha (or Mutt).
Shivakumara Swamiji
family
Shivakumara Swami was born to Honnegowda (father) and Gangamma (mother). He was the youngest of his parents’ thirteen children.
Profession
In 1930, when he graduated, he was elected head of Siddaganga Matha or Mutt, but did not hold the post until 1941, after the death of the current head, Shivayogi Swami. In that meeting, he changed his name from Shivanna to Shivakumara. On March 3 of the same year, he joined the “viraktashram” Sangha and adopted the pontifical name Shivkumara Swami.
Swami established 132 educational institutions in his lifetime. His philanthropic work is respected by all walks of life. People from different religions, castes and creeds were helped by his charity activities. He also established some shelters and provided food to the poor. In 2007, the Karnataka government praised his work and celebrated Swamiji’s birth centenary. Former President of India Abdul Kalam also visited Swamiji in Tumkur and expressed his appreciation for Swamiji’s humanitarian and social work.
APJ Abdul Kalam and Shivakumara Swamiji
Awards/Honors
In 2007, Swamiji was awarded the Karnataka Award, Karnataka’s highest civilian award. In 2015, the Indian government awarded him the Padma Shri, the country’s third highest civilian award.
The then Chief Secretary to the State Government V. Umesh awarded the Padma Shri to Shivakumara Swami
die
In the past two or three years, he has suffered from many diseases one after another. On December 1, 2018, he was hospitalized due to liver duct infection. On December 8, he underwent gallbladder removal surgery. On December 28 of the same year, he was diagnosed with a lung infection. On January 11, 2019, he was placed on life support as his condition worsened. He passed away at 11:44 am on January 21, 2019, at the age of 111.
Thousands gather at Shivakumara Swamiji’s funeral
The Karnataka government has declared January 22, 2019, as a national holiday to mourn the death of Lingayat seer Shivakumara Swamiji.
fact
- His other names are: Siddaganga Swamijigalu, Nadedaduva Devaru, Kayaka Yogi, Trivida Daasohi etc.
- His followers and disciples used to call him the “Walking God.” This is also his nickname.
- At the time of his death, he was one of the oldest men in the country.
- India’s 14th Prime Minister Narendra Modi also praised his humanitarian work and visited him in September 2014.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets Shivakumara Swamiji
- Congress president Rahul Gandhi also praised his work and met him in 2018. He also expressed his condolences on the death of Swamiji.
Rahul Gandhi meets Shivakumara Swamiji in Karnataka in 2018
I am deeply sorry to hear the news of the death of Siddhargangamut His Holiness Shivakumar Swami Ji. Swami Ji is respected and revered by millions of Indians from all religions and communities. His death leaves a deep spiritual void. My condolences to all his followers.
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) January 21, 2019
Categories: Biography
Source: HIS Education