Karnataka Govt Gives Full State Honours to Dr. Sharnbaswappa Appaji
Dr. Appa, a philosopher and educationist who would have turned 91 in November, was fondly called “Appaji” by followers in the Kalyana Karnataka region.
Kalaburagi: The Karnataka government accorded full state honours on Friday to Dr. Dr Sharnbaswappa Appaji, the 8th Mahadasoha Peetadhipathi of the Sharanabasaveshwara Samsthana, who passed away here on Thursday after a brief illness. The seer was laid to rest at the Sharanabasaveshwara temple complex in the presence of family members, devotees, and top dignitaries.
Dr. Appa, a philosopher and educationist who would have turned 91 in November, was fondly called “Appaji” by followers in the Kalyana Karnataka region. Regarded as a father figure in Kalaburagi, he dedicated his life to expanding educational opportunities for the underprivileged, transforming the Samsthana into a major centre of learning.
From Thursday night until the funeral, thousands of devotees streamed into the temple premises to pay their last respects, many of them weeping outside the main gate of the Dasoha Mahamane. Prominent leaders, including Rural Development Minister Priyank Kharge, Kalaburagi South MLA Allamaprabhu Patil, Kalyana Karnataka Development Board Chairman Ajay Singh, Deputy Commissioner Fausiya Taranum, and Police Commissioner Dr. Sharanappa S.D., were among those who offered condolences.
Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, who flew in from Bengaluru, placed floral tributes before Dr. Appa’s mortal remains and, following the state honours, handed over the national flag to the family. “Appa was a noble Sharana who mingled with all sections of society and served the people,” he said, recalling earlier meetings with the seer. He noted that senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge had enquired about Dr. Appa’s health but could not attend the funeral. “On the day we hoist the national flag, it is a privilege to hand it over to his family. This honour does not come to everyone,” he remarked.
Shivakumar said the seer’s vision for educational and social progress had left a lasting mark. “This historic math must be protected just like one’s own home. His commitment to free education for poor students and to annadasoha will remain a model for the youth,” he added.
Heart-rending scenes were witnessed as Dr. Appa’s wife, Dr. Dakshayini Avvaji, their son and successor, the 9th Peetadhipathi Chiranjeevi Doddappa Appa, his sisters, and other relatives wept inconsolably.
Rituals were led by Sri Abhinava Parvateshwara Shivacharya of the Brahmamatha, Belagumpi, and Dr. Rajashekar Shivacharya of the Chaudeshwari Math, marking the formal passing of leadership — a role ceremonially conferred on Chiranjeevi Doddappa Appa few years ago.
