KARNATAKA, INDIA, January 21, 2019 (The Hindu): Dr. Shivakumara Swamy, the 111-year-old seer of Siddaganga Mutt, died on Monday at the Mutt in Tumakuru. The death of the seer, who had braved many medical procedures despite his advanced age, was announced by Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy. Popularly known as Nadedaaduva Devaru (Walking God), Shivakumara Swami was initiated into Viraktha Ashrama in 1930. Before becoming the seer, he went by his name Shivanna, and was born on April 1, 1908, at Veerapura, Magadi taluk, Ramanagara district. The swami was the head of Siddaganga Education Society, which runs about 125 educational institutions in the state — from engineering colleges to business schools. Many of the institutions offer free education and boarding facilities to poor students.
“His Holiness Dr. Sree Sree Sree Sivakumara Swamigalu lived for the people, especially the poor and vulnerable. He devoted himself towards alleviating ills like poverty, hunger and social injustice. Prayers and solidarity with his countless devotees spread all across the world,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted. Recalling his interactions with the seer, Mr Modi said, the wide range of community service initiatives being done there are outstanding and are at an unimaginably large scale. Karnataka government has declared three-day mourning and a public holiday on Tuesday. The seer will be laid in state at the Mutt for the public to pay homage. A holiday has been declared on Monday in Tumakuru as well. The last rites are expected to be held on Tuesday evening.
Many more tributes at “source”.