Chennai: The 111-year-old Siddaganga Mutt seer, Shivakumara Swamiji, who had to undergo a liver bypass and gall bladder removal at the Dr Rela Institute and Medical Centre in Chennai last Saturday, has reportedly been responding well to the treatment and is on the road to recovery.

The seer’s personal physician Dr Parameshwara stated that the 111-year-old  was shifted from the ICU to the ward on Thursday evening, after which he was shifted back to the ICU on Friday morning due to the increase in visitors who had lined up to see the seer. “He is conscious, well-oriented, and is communicating well. His doctors have said he may have to stay in hospital for four to five more days,” the doctor confirmed.

Tumakuru's Shivakumara Swamiji had been suffering from cholangitis, an inflammation of the bile duct due to which he was shifted to the Chennai hospital last Friday. The seer unfortunately developed an infection again, for which he is being treated now. Meanwhile, Karnataka chief minister HD Kumaraswamy and former state chief ministers BS Yeddyurappa and SM Krishna paid a visit to the hospital on Friday and wished the seer a speedy recovery. After his visit, Kumaraswamy addressed the media and stated the seer should is a role model for all. The chief minister also said that he had sought the seer’s blessings.