Bengaluru: Amid the growing demand to confer the country's highest civilian award, Bharat Ratna posthumously on centenarian pontiff Dr Shivakumara Swamiji, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said she would talk to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in this regard.
Ms Sitharaman who was in Tumakuru to attend the funeral of the seer on behalf of the PM, said she would convey the feelings of the people to Mr Modi.
Yoga Guru Baba Ramdev too said he would appeal to the PM to confer the award on Dr Shivakumara Swamiji. "When the award has been given to sportspersons and politicians, why not for a seer who dedicated his life for the welfare of mankind, " he remarked.
Meanwhile the mortal remains of the seer were laid to rest as per Veerashaiva customs on Tuesday. The body was placed inside a samadhi next to his senior pontiff. An estimated eight lakh people descended on Tumakuru to pay tribute to the Swamiji who had passed away on Monday at the age of 111.
The mortal remains of centenarian Dr Shivakumara Swamiji, head of Sri Siddaganga Matha, who died on Monday, were laid to rest as per Veerashaiva customs on Tuesday.
The body of the seer was placed inside a samadhi next to his senior pontiff, amid chanting of mantras and abhisheka by the seers on Tuesday night. Ten to fifteen big sized LED screens were put up at various points to enable devotees witness the last rites of the ‘Walking God’ and ‘Kayaka yogi’ who had dedicated his whole life for the welfare of mankind. Shivaratri Deshikendra Swami of Mysuru Suttur Matha, Nirmalanandanatha swami of Adi Chunchanagiri Matha and other seers were present at the last rites. Yoga guru Baba Ramdev came from Delhi to participate in the rites.
After public darshan for over 24 hours, the body was taken to the samadhi spot. Thousands of devotees who were present inside the matha, chanted "om namah shivaya " and "jai Shivakumara Swamiji." Though, the public darshan was supposed to end at 3 pm, it continued till 5:15 pm as lakhs of devotees from all over the state came to have the last darshan of the seer. The Matha authorities appealed to people to hurry up as the rituals were delayed by over two hours.
The police fired three rounds in the air to pay tribute to the departed soul. Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy, Deputy Chief Minister Dr G Parameshwar, former PM H.D. Deve Gowda, former CM Siddaramaiah, state BJP President B.S. Yeddyurappa and Union minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda placed wreaths and paid their respects.
Later, the mortal remains of the late pontiff were shifted to the samadhi spot where a team of seers conducted the rituals as per Virakthamatha customs and placed the body inside the samadhi. As per rituals, 10000 pieces of vibhuthi, 950 kg salt, 100 kg sand and a bag full of bilwa patre-leaves sacred for Lingayats, were used to cover the body of the seer who was seated in "Padmasana " style. It was almost 9 pm when all the rituals were completed.
As the rituals were going on, devotees shouted slogans demanding the country's highest civilian award Bharat Ratna posthumously for the late seer in recognition of his yeoman service to mankind.
Earlier, an estimated eight lakh people from all over the state descended on Tumakuru to pay respects to the seer leaving the city choked.
Tumakuru remained shut for the second day on Tuesday as a mark of respect to the departed soul. But, a few hotels and lodges offered free food and stay for devotees from other places. The Matha served khara bath, sweet bath, coffee and tea in the morning; and rice, sambar, curds and kosambri for lunch to lakhs of devotees.
Local residents estimate that around 10 lakh people might have visited the city. The railways ran special trains from Yeshwanthpur to Tumakuru. Home Minister M.B. camped in the Matha since Monday to make arrangements.
