Head of Sree Siddaganga Mutt Shivakumara Swami passes away after at 111 after two weeks on ventilator.
The seer had been unwell for sometime and had received treatment in Chennai briefly before he was brought back to the Mutt where he was placed on life support. He had undergone an operation after which he developed lung infection.
At this hour of grief Senior political leaders chief minister, HD Kumaraswamy and former chief minister, B S Yeddyurappa have expressed their condolences.
The Chief Minister announced a 2 day mourning period on 21st and 22nd Jan, during this all schools and colleges will remain shut. The cremation of leader will take place on the 22nd at 4.30 pm.
Security arrangements are in place for his devotees to take a one final glimpse of their spiritual leader.
Shivakumara Swami was considered one an esteemed religious and social practitioners of Lingayat Veerashaiva faith of Lingayatism. He runs various programs to feed thousands of children, educate them and spiritually guide them. He was the oldest person living in India, and the Karnataka government sought for Bharat Ratna for his social service.