| Siddaganga Mutt Seer Passes Away |
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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”.
| Thaipusam Gets Off to a Golden–and Silver–Start in George Town |
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GEORGETOWN, MALAYSIA, January 20, 2019 (Straits Times): For the third year running, two chariots took to the streets here to mark the commencement of the three-day state-level Thaipusam celebration. Over a thousand devotees thronged Little India here to witness the start of the annual procession, the highlight of the festivities. The Penang Hindu Endowment Board’s golden chariot kicked things off by departing from the Sri Mahamariamman Temple in Lebuh Queen. The Nattukottai Chettiar Temple Trustees’ silver chariot left about two hours later from Kovil Veedu in Lebuh Penang.
Both the chariots, bearing Lord Muruga, will pass through Lebuh Queen, Lebuh Chulia, Lebuh Victoria, before entering Jalan Magazine to Jalan Datuk Keramat, Jalan Utama and to Jalan Kebun Bunga. The golden chariot will be kept at Arulmigu Balathandayuthapani Temple (Hilltop) while the silver one will be at Nattukottai Chettiar Temple before it makes its way back on Tuesday. Thousands of devotees smashed coconuts and chanted ”Vel vel” along the 5 mile route. Thaipusam commemorates the day when, according to Hindu belief, the Goddess Parvathi gave Lord Muruga a lance to slay demons. Tomorrow, hundreds of devotees will be bearing kavadis or carrying milk pots and walk thee miles to the temple in Jalan Kebun Bunga.
Short video at ”source” above.
| Daily Inspiration |
Awareness is ever there. It need not be realized. Open the shutter of the mind, and it will be flooded with light.
— Maharaj (1897–1981), Hindu sage
