Shivakumara Swami

Shivakumara Swamigalu
Shivakumara Swamiji in Sri Siddaganga Matha,Tumkuru, Karnataka, India
Born (1907-04-01) 1 April 1907
Veerapura, Magadi, Ramanagara District, Mysore State, British India
(now in Karnataka, India)
Other names Nadedaduva Devaru, Kayaka Yogi, Siddaganga Swamijigalu
Education Doctor of Literature (1965)
Alma mater University of Mysore, Bangalore University
Occupation Indian humanitarian,
Head of Sree Siddaganga Matha
Organization Siddaganga Education Society
Parent(s) Patel Honnappa (father)
Gangamma (mother)
Awards Padma Bhushan (2015)
Karnataka Ratna (2007)

Shivayogigalu Shatayushi Dr. Sri Sri Sri Shivakumara Swamigalu PB; KR (born 1 April 1907)[1] also known as "Nadedaduva Devaru" and better known as Shivakumara Swami, is a Lingayat religious figure and humanitarian. He is the head of Sree Siddaganga Matha and provided education to many people[2] in Tumkur, Tumkur District, Karnataka, South India. He is the founder of the Sri Siddaganga Education Society.[3] He is described as the most esteemed adherent of Lingayatism.[4]

He was initiated into the Viraktashram Order in 1930.

Swamiji was born in Veerapura near Magadi Taluk, Ramanagara District.

He studied English in college and is proficient in Kannada and Sanskrit. He has established educational institutions which offer courses in traditional learning of Sanskrit as well as modern science and technology. He is widely respected for his philanthropic work by all communities.[5]

In recognition of his humanitarian work, Sri Swamiji was conferred with an honorary degree of Doctor of Literature by Karnatak University in 1965. He continues his humanitarian work at the age of 111. He is also known as "Nadedaduva Devaru" (Walking God) in Karnataka.[6] The Karnataka government and many people also sought for Bharat Ratna for his social service.[7]

Education

Shivakumara swamiji completed primary education at Veerapura & Nagavalli, secondary education at Government High School (Tumkur) and pre-University studies and earned a degree from Bangalore University.[8]

Contributions to society

Swamiji's Guru Kula houses more than 8,500 children from ages 5 to 16 years at any point in time and is open to children from all religions, castes, and creeds who are provided free food, education, and shelter (Trivida Dasohi). Under the pontiff's guidance, an annual agricultural fair is held for the benefit of the local population. The Karnataka state government announced[5] the institution of Shivakumara Swamiji Prashasti from 2007, the centennial anniversary of Swamiji. Dr. A.P.J Abdul Kalam, the former President of India, visited him at Tumkur and praised the initiatives of Swamiji in education and humanitarian work. He is also working hard on taking care of thousands of poor students, their fees and daily accommodation along with three meals a day.

Awards

On his centenary in 2007, the Government of Karnataka awarded Swamiji the prestigious Karnataka Ratna award, the highest civilian award of the state. In 2015 the Government of India awarded him the Padma Bhushan. He became a supercentenarian on 1 April 2017.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 "PM greets Shivakumara Swami of Siddaganga Mutt on his 110th Birthday". Uniindia.com. Retrieved 31 January 2018.
  2. ↑ "Sree Siddaganga Mutt". Sreesiddagangamutt.org. Retrieved 31 January 2018.
  3. ↑ "Siddaganga Institute of Technology". Sit.ac.in. Retrieved 25 September 2009.
  4. ↑ "A medieval poet bedevils India's most powerful political party". The Economist. 21 September 2017.
  5. 1 2 "Kalam hails Siddaganga seer's contribution to society". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 8 April 2006. Retrieved 25 September 2009.
  6. ↑ "Walking God". Epaper.timesofindia.com. Retrieved 31 January 2018.
  7. ↑ "Bharat Ratna sought for Siddaganga seer". The Hindu. 15 October 2008.
  8. ↑ "Sre Siddaganga Mutt". Sreesiddagangamutt.org. Retrieved 30 January 2018.
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