It was a long time wish to get a darshan of Shri Shivakumar Swamiji.
December 27, 2014
It was around 7-30 that evening when we reached Siddaganga Matha. I was with my hosts Mr. C B Barigidad and his grandson Vinayak. Mr. Barigidad was a regular visitor here and he was glad to take me around. We went towards Swamiji's office first and to our good luck Swamiji was walking from the temple towards his office. A short queue formed outside the office for Swamiji's darshan. While waiting for my turn I had a good look; a super senior healthy person. Swamiji could read without glasses; handles Matha administration matters; sleeps 3 or 4 hours per day; wakes up around 2 AM and performs rituals/meditation. Highly Enlightened Soul.
That's Swamiji's office.
This is the tomb of Atavi Shivayogi Swamiji.
Siddaganga Matha is known for Dasoha ~ feeding the needy. The Matha's kitchen feeds thousands of people daily, many are students living in a hostel within the Matha. Mr. Barigidad suggests a quick tour of the kitchen. Huge vessels to prepare vegetable dishes and curries.
Vegetable cleaning and cutting area.
A large room is reserved for cooking rice; here are the rice cookers.
Attached to the kitchen is the dining hall which can accommodate close to thousand people in one sitting. These are pictures of Lingayath leaders- Shri Atavi Shivayogi, Shri Udyana Shivayogi, Shri Shivakumar Swamiji and Basaveshwara.
The dining hall entrance.
Next we head towards Swamiji's residential area.
The courtyard connects the pooja room and Swamiji's private residence.
That's Swamiji's abode.
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December 27, 2014
It was around 7-30 that evening when we reached Siddaganga Matha. I was with my hosts Mr. C B Barigidad and his grandson Vinayak. Mr. Barigidad was a regular visitor here and he was glad to take me around. We went towards Swamiji's office first and to our good luck Swamiji was walking from the temple towards his office. A short queue formed outside the office for Swamiji's darshan. While waiting for my turn I had a good look; a super senior healthy person. Swamiji could read without glasses; handles Matha administration matters; sleeps 3 or 4 hours per day; wakes up around 2 AM and performs rituals/meditation. Highly Enlightened Soul.
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A great man ( walking god ) who has done so much to mankind without any expectations
ReplyDeleteNo one can match his contribution to this society, it's not just because of institutions or matha it's because of the way he looked after the people whoever came to him, it was his utter love for humakind, whatever he did was with love and kindness. I am fortunate to see him from my childhood, he would visit our school and college on some special occasions, his presence would bring so much of divinity to the atmosphere, no words to explain that feeling. Whoever would visit him he wld ask from where they have come, what they do for their livelihood, how many kids they have etc., He would treat all in the same way, whether poor or rich.
ReplyDeleteI still wonder that we all knowing his age, still wished that he should have been there for us for some more years. He lived in such a way that he is a synonym to the word " Swamiji ". Swamigalu Andre Siddagangeya swamigalu ano haage.