HUBBALLI: Prominent Lingayat religious leader Siddalinga Swami of Tontadarya Mutt in Gadag died on Saturday morning following cardiac arrest. He was 69.The seer was taken to a private hospital after he complained of chest pain early on Saturday but he died on the way. The last rites will be held at the mutt in Gadag at 4 pm on Sunday.
The seer was in the forefront of the separate Lingayat religion movement which took off two years ago.
He was also part of several Kannada agitations, including the Gokak movement, Mahadayi struggle, Save Kappadagudda forest campaign, among others.
Soon after the news broke out, hundreds of devotees gathered in front of the hospital and mutt. Women and mutt residents couldn’t hold back their tears and broke down at the hospital. His mortal remains were placed on the premises of the mutt where devotees queued up to pay their last respects.A mutt official told The New Sunday Express that the seer collapsed at the mutt after a massive cardiac arrest and he was rushed to hospital, but he died enroute. The seer was diabetic and had undergone knee surgery a few months ago.
The successor of the mutt is expected to be decided after the last rites. The mutt administrator said they will announce the name of the new seer in 2-3 days.Former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda, Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy and former CM Siddaramaiah have condoled the seer’s death. Kumaraswamy, Siddaramaiah and other politicians cutting across party lines, seers form various mutts and thousands of devotees are expected to descend at Dambal Gadag Tontadarya mutt in Gadag for the last rites.
Born on February 21, 1949, in Korawar village of Sindagi taluk in Vijayapura, he was the 19th seer in the tradition of the Tontadarya Mutt. He was known as ‘Pustaka Swami’ (seer of books) and ‘Kannada Kuluguru’ for his contribution in the field of literature. The seer had followers not only in Gadag, but also from across the state and the country. “I have been associated with Siddalinga Swamiji for over three decades. He was the right follower of Basavanna. The seer had made a ‘sankalpa’ of separate religionhood for Lingayats. He had dreamt of education for poor. His dreams will be fulfilled by us,” said Siddaram Swami of Nagnur Mutt in Belagavi.The police have increased security outside the mutt. Traffic diversions have been made as several political leaders are expected to attend the last rites.