The 111-year-old head pontiff of the Siddaganga Mutt, Shivakumara Swami also known as Nadedaduva Devaru (The Walking God), passed away on Monday morning.
According to Deccan Herald, he passed away at 11.44 am.
#BREAKING: Shivakumara Swami, the head pontiff of five-centuries-old Siddaganga Mutt in Tumakuru passed away at 11.54 am on Monday, four sources confirmed to Deccan Herald. | #Karnataka #ShivakumaraSwamihttps://t.co/qZxOqH7ha7
— Deccan Herald (@DeccanHerald) January 21, 2019
Shivakumara Swami was diagnosed with a lung infection in December 2018 and was undergoing treatment. He was hospitalised on January 3 but was shifted back to the mutt.
He was put in ventilator after his conditions deteriorated. Swami was showing signs of recovery on Sunday but relapsed into complications on Monday morning.
The public can pay their final tributes till 3 pm.The public can pay their final tributes till 3 pm.
A long line of devotees has shown up in Tumakuru to pay their final homage.
RCUB postpones university exams following the seer's deathRani Channamma University Belagavi (RCUB) has postponed its postgraduate courses examinations that were scheduled to be held on January 22, with a holiday being announced due to the death of Dr Shivakumar Swamiji.
Registrar (Evaluation) Prof Rangraj Vandurg in a release informed that the examinations postponed have been rescheduled on January 28.
Swami's body kept for public displayThe mortal remains of the seer will be kept in an air-conditioned glass case at the mutt's Diamond Jubilee Hall.
Over 2,000 police officers have been deployed for security near the building.
Rahul Gandhi tweets his condolenceI am sorry to hear about the passing of Shivakumar Swami Ji, Pontiff of the Siddaganga Mutt. Swami Ji was respected & revered by millions of Indians, from all religions & communities. His passing leaves behind a deep spiritual void. My condolences to all his followers.
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) January 21, 2019
The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) to ferry the devotees from bus stands and railway stations to the mutt.
Public can pay their respects at the Diamond Jubilee hallThe public can pay their last respects at the Diamond Jubilee Hall in Tumakuru after 5 pm.
President Ramnath Kovind also tweets his grief over the seer's deathExtremely sad to learn of the passing of spiritual leader Dr Sree Sree Sree Sivakumara Swamigalu Ji. He contributed immensely to society particularly towards healthcare and education. My condolences to his countless followers #PresidentKovind
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) January 21, 2019
HH Dr. Sree Sree Sree Sivakumara Swamigalu remained at the forefront of ensuring better healthcare and education facilities for the marginalised.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 21, 2019
He represents the best of our traditions of compassionate service, spirituality and protecting the rights of the underprivileged. pic.twitter.com/Tp6o5ULU2d
All sandalwood actors to go to Tumakuru to pay respects.
Theatres will not function in the state on Tuesday.
Traffic diversions are made for easier vehicular movementTraffic will be diverted from Sira and Dabaspet.
BBMP renames Tumakuru Road in honour of the Siddaganga seerThe Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) had decided to name the Tumakuru Road in honour of Dr Shivakumara Swami in December 2018.
The Tumakuru Road will be now called the 'Parama Pujya Dr Sri Sri Sri Shivakumara Mahaswami Road'.
Even the flyover from Goreguntepalya to Kennametal Industry flyover will be renamed as 'Paramapujya Dr Sri Sri Sri Shivakumara Mahaswamiji flyover'.
Police force deployed near the muttOver 3,500 police officers have been deployed near the mutt area.
Tumakuru district administration facilitates bus services to the muttTumakuru district administration facilitates bus services to the Siddaganga mutt for the public to have their last glance at their beloved Swamiji.
Traffic diversions will be made for easier vehicular movement.
Politicians demand Bharat RatnaPoliticians demand Bharat Ratna for Dr Shivakumara Swami.
Public holiday declared for school, colleges and government officesThe state government has declared a public holiday for schools, colleges and government offices on Tuesday.
A three-day state mourning has also been declared.
Final rites to be conducted with state honours, says HDKCM HD Kumaraswamy said that the final rites of the seer will be conducted with state honours.
The national flag will fly half-mast on all government buildings with no official entertainment programmes.
He also asked the public to remain calm.
Mortal remains will be kept for public viewing till 3 pmThe seer's mortal remains will be kept for public viewing till 3 pm tomorrow.
Helipads setup in Tumakuru for the arrival of VIPsHelipads have been set up in Tumakuru Industrial Area and College Grounds for the arrival of VIPs
Helipads set up: Mutt premises - 1
Industrial area - 10
Tumkur college grounds - 1
University campus - 2
Tumakuru getting crowded with people from all over K'takaThe news of Dr Shivakumara Swami's death has spread like wildfire. The devotees are left in a state of despair.
Tumakuru is getting crowded with people from all over Karnataka.
Final rites to be performed on TuesdayFinal rites to be performed at 4.30 pm on Tuesday
CM Kumaraswamy holds meeting with doctors and pontiffs at the muttCM HD Kumaraswamy and deputy CM G Parameshwara are holding a meeting with the senior pontiffs and doctors at the Siddaganga Mutt.
All official engagements cancelled by the political partiesChief minister HD Kumaraswamy, Union Minister DV Sadananda Gowda, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress party leaders in the state have cancelled their official programmes.
