Jnanayogashrama seer Siddeshwara Swami of Vijayapura no more

VIJAYAPURA: The seer of the Jnanayogashrama, Siddeshwara Swami (82), who was also known as the ‘walking god’ breathed his last late on Monday.

The seer had been ailing from age-related health issues and was being treated by a team of doctors at the ashram. District Deputy Commissioner Vijaymahantesh Danammanavar, Superintendent of Police H D Anand Kumar and several heads of mutts had been camping at the Jnanayogi Ashram.

The seer had been ailing for some time, but was showing sings of recovery. On Monday afternoon and towards evening, he had developed breathing problems and his blood pressure was fluctuating, as per the health bulletin released by the doctors attending on him. The seer had refused to get admitted to a hospital and had insisted that whatever treatment is required should be given to him in the ashram itself, the bulletin said.

On December 31, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai had called on the seer at the ashram to inquire about his health status and Prime Minister Narendra Modi had also spoken to him on the phone. The CM had also announced that the seer’s kidney, hearth and lung parameters were normal.

Suttur Mutt seer Shivarathri Deshikendra Swami had also called on the Jnanayogashrama seer. After a 20,000-page compendium on the life of Siddeshwara Swami’s predecessor Mallikarjun Swami, penned by him, the Suttur Mutt seer had addressed the devotees and said Siddeshwara Swami had written rare works and that he was normal and taking rest.

In a will left behind, Jnanayogashrama seer Siddeshwara Swami, among other things, has said that his mortal remains should be consigned to flames and other rituals will not be required. He also said that his ashes should be immersed in a river or sea and that no memorial should be build for him.

In a series of tweets, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai condoled the passing away of the seer who had promoted betterment of society through his preachings. “His passing away is an irreparable loss to the state and may God give his devotees the strength to bear with the loss”, he said.