Shivakumara Swamiji no more: PM Modi to miss funeral in Tumakuru

Tumakuru: Shivakumara Swamiji also known as the ‘Walking God’ of Siddaganga Mutt breathed his last at 11.44 AM, on Monday at the mutt hospital in Tumakuru, Karnataka.

It was earlier reported that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will travel to Tumakuru on Tuesday to pay his last respects to the 111-year-old seer. But the latest reports claim that lakhs of devotees will arrive to pay their last respects and it is very difficult to make special security arrangements.

Due to security reasons, Modi will not come to Tumakuru. Modi, in a series of tweets, condoled the seer’s death and hailed him for working for the poor.

He expresses his condolences through a series of tweets.

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. pic.twitter.com/AqgOLgqTrn

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 21, 2019

HH Dr. Sree Sree Sree Sivakumara Swamigalu remained at the forefront of ensuring better healthcare and education facilities for the marginalised.

He represents the best of our traditions of compassionate service, spirituality and protecting the rights of the underprivileged. pic.twitter.com/Tp6o5ULU2d

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 21, 2019

I have had the privilege to visit the Sree Siddaganga Mutt and receive the blessings of His Holiness Dr. Sree Sree Sree Sivakumara Swamigalu.

The wide range of community service initiatives being done there are outstanding and are at an unimaginably large scale. pic.twitter.com/wsmRp2cERd

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 21, 2019

Special trains, buses to Tumakuru

In Karnataka, four special trains have been arranged from Bengaluru to Tumakuru for the devotees to pay their last respects. Karnataka State Road Transport (KSRTC) has arranged special buses from various points in Tumakuru to take the devotees to the mutt, where the seer's mortal remains are kept.

Public can pay their last respects till 3 PM. The last rites of the seer will be performed at the mutt premises at 4.30 PM on Tuesday.

Following the demise of the seer, Karnataka has announced holiday for all schools, colleges and government offices including banks in the state.

The people of Tumakuru have kept their shops closed in respect to the seer and all roads except those leading to Siddaganga Mutt are wearing a deserted look.

Toll-free travel

In respect to Shivakumara Swamiji, the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) is not collecting tolls from the vehicles travelling to Tumakuru on Tuesday. Toll is not being collected till Kyatasandra near Bengaluru.

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