Shivakumara Swami ji

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A brief biography

Rohith B R, January 21, 2019: The Times of India

Shivakumara Swamiji
From: Rohith B R, January 21, 2019: The Times of India

Supercentenarian Shivakumara Swamiji was popularly known as "Nadedaduva Devaru" (Walking God) in Karnataka.

Shivakumara Swami was a noted religious figure and humanitarian who headed the Siddaganga Mutt in Tumakuru, which has been providing free education, shelter and dasoha (food) to thousands of children from different parts of the state for decades. He was also founder of many educational institutions which offer courses in traditional learning as well as modern science and technology. The Swami’s work over the decades helped the Mutt administration to expand the number of educational institutions to around 130 spread over different parts of the state.

The pontiff was heading the famous Siddaganga Mutt, a landmark located about 64 km from Bengaluru on the Bengaluru-Pune highway. It offers free food, accommodation and education to around 9,000 students irrespective of their caste, community or religion, apart from spearheading other developmental work in the region.

The country's presidents and prime ministers often visited the Mutt to seek Swamy's blessings (file photo).

The seer was born in Veerapura of Magadi taluk of the present Ramanagar district on April 1, 1908 as Shivanna. He was the youngest male child of his parents and entered the viraktashram (the monks' order) in 1930 under the guidance of Sree Uddana Shivayogigalu, a pontiff, who renamed him Sree Sivakumara Swamiji. A graduate from Central College in Bengaluru, he was proficient in English, Kannada and Sanskrit.

Respected for his philanthropic work by many communities, Swamiji was conferred with an honorary degree of Doctor of Literature by Karnatak University in 1965. He was honoured with the Karnataka Ratna, the highest civilian award given by Karnataka government, when he turned 100 in 2007. The Karnataka government and many non-governmental organisations also sought Bharat Ratna for his social service.

Known for his hard work, disciplined life and faith in humanity, Swamiji filled the mutt with a cosmopolitan atmosphere which welcomed people from all religion and creeds. The pontiff’s service at the Mutt and elsewhere earned him respect from dignitaries across the world.