Monday, August 30, 2010

Shree Shivakumara Swamiji- ಶ್ರೀ ಶಿವಕುಮಾರ ಸ್ವಾಮೀಜಿ

Dr. Sree Sree Sree Shivakumara Swamiji (born April 1, 1907) ಶ್ರೀ ಶಿವಕುಮಾರ ಸ್ವಾಮೀಜಿ is the present head of Sree Siddaganga Mutt (ಸಿದ್ದಗಂಗಾ ಮಠ) in Tumkur , South India and founder of the Sree Siddaganga Education Society.Swamiji was born in Veerapura near Magadi Taluk.

Siddaganga mutt has started around more than 615 years ago by Shree Gosala Siddeshwara.It is situated in Bangalore -Pune highway , 66 KMs from Bangalore. 

He is proficient in Kannada, English and Sanskrit. He has established educational institutions which offer a courses in traditional learning of Sanskrit as well as modern science and technology. He is widely respected for his philanthropic work by all communities .

In recognition of his humanitarian work, Sree Swamiji was conferred with an honorary degree of Doctor of Literature by Karnatak University in 1965.

"He continues his humanitarian work in spite of his advanced age of 103". ಯುವಕರೂ ಆಶ್ಚರ್ಯ ಪಡುವಂತೆ ಈ ೧೦೩ ರ ವಯಸ್ಸಿನಲ್ಲಿ  ಕೆಲಸ ಮಾದುತ್ತ್ತಿದ್ದು  ಸಮಾಜದ ಏಳಿಗೆಯ ಜೊತೆಗೆ , ಸಮಾಜ ದಾರಿ ತಪ್ಪಿದಾಗ ತಿದ್ದಿ ಸರಿಯಾದ ದಾರಿಗೆ ತರಲು ಪ್ರಯತ್ನಿಸುತ್ತಿದ್ದಾರೆ.

Although I have visited Siddaganga mutt 3-4 times I could not take his darshan..But I was lucky on July 29th..I could take his Darshan,  took his autograph , photo and video as well in Bangalore in a function ..!





Below are some of photographs of some famous personalities including chief ministers,prime ministers, presidents,politicians,writers...when they visited Siddaganga matha :



More than 8500 students of all communites are getting free food along with free education.!! There is a very big contribution from society and donors.
On his centenary in 2007, Dr. Sree Sree Shivakumara Swamiji the Government of Karnataka awarded him the prestigious Karnataka Ratna award, the highest civilian award of the state.

There is no surprise,if he gets Bharata Ratna one day.

ಸಾಧ್ಯವಾದಲ್ಲಿ ಒಮ್ಮೆ ಸಿದ್ದ ಗಂಗೆಗೆ ಭೇಟಿ ನೀಡಿ ..ಅಲ್ಲಿಯ ಸಾಧನೆಯನ್ನು ಕಣ್ಣಾರೆ ನೋಡಿ ..

ಇವರನ್ನು ನಡೆದಾಡುವ ದೇವರೆಂದರೆ ತಪ್ಪಾಗಲಿಕ್ಕಿಲ್ಲ  (Living god), ಏಕೆಂದರೆ ನಾವ್ಯಾರೂ ದೇವರನ್ನು ನೋಡಿಲ್ಲ  ..

On his centenary in 2007, Dr. Sree Sree Shivakumara Swamiji the Government of Karnataka awarded him the prestigious Karnataka Ratna award, the highest civilian award of the state.

ಸಾಧ್ಯವಾದಲ್ಲಿ ಒಮ್ಮೆ ಸಿದ್ದ ಗಂಗೆಗೆ ಭೇಟಿ ನೀಡಿ ..ಅಲ್ಲಿಯ ಸಾಧನೆಯನ್ನು ಕಣ್ಣಾರೆ ನೋಡಿ .
ಇವರನ್ನು ನಡೆದಾಡುವ ದೇವರೆಂದರೆ ತಪ್ಪಾಗಲಿಕ್ಕಿಲ್ಲ  (Living god), ಏಕೆಂದರೆ ನಾವ್ಯಾರೂ ದೇವರನ್ನು ನೋಡಿಲ್ಲ " ...

Monday, August 09, 2010

Visit to Shivaganga

Got an opportunity to visit Shivaganga yesterday by trekking.


I visted along with my Son Sujay , Wife Shobha, Sister Nandu and Anju.

We left Bangalore late (due to my office timings).Although we did not get direct bus to Shivaganga, from Majestic we reached Dobaspet .From there we took another bus to Shivaganaga. Even lot of autos are also available.

When we reached there I thought I did a wrong decision as it was late and it was around 3:30 PM already. When we started climbing Shivaganga hill ,within no time I felt tired. Shobha told you can carry on I will stay here only.I thought to give company to her there only...! But she started to climb again .I followed her.


More info about Shivaganga :  

About 60 Kms from Bangalore on Tumkur road one has to take a diversion at Dobbaspete and ride for another 6 Kms to reach the base of the tallest(supposedly) peak in Bangalore district, Shivganga. There are lots private buses plying between B`lore and Shivganga. Its also called Dakshin Kashi as it is believed that Shiva-Parvathi vivaaha took place here too. Halfway through the trek one comes across a cave temple of lord shiva. There is a hole in the cave behind the sanctum sanctorium, of diameter such that only one's hand can go in. It is believed on dipping the hand in this hole if one can reach water inside one is blessed.







Olakallu Teertha

A further way up is Paataal Ganga, a water pond in a cave, supposed to be the ganges river water which had come here to witness the marraige of Shiva and Parvathi.
On top of the mountain there is another small temple of Lord Shiva and VeeraBhadra.
One encounters Nandi's sculpted in all sizes as one treks to the top. This place is a popular pilgrimage place and the localites do the trek bare feet. One can see a huge white bull sculpted half way up.
A huge statue of Nandi Statue
View from top of Shivaganga
Taking rest