110-year-old Siddaganga Mutt seer hospitalised

The pontiff of the Siddaganga Mutt, Sivakumara Swamiji, was today admitted to a private hospital here following respiratory problem besides gall bladder and renal related complications,hospital sources said.
He was admitted this morning, an executive of the BGS Global Hospital said.
Hospital sources said doctors decided to operate upon him in the evening for gall bladder related problems and installed three stents successfully in his body.
Dr Ravindra, who performed the operation, said, the biggest challenge was giving anesthesia because his blood pressure was quite low.
"We have inserted three stents in his body. Now, we are giving treatment for pneumonia and infection," he said.

"His condition is now stable," the doctor added.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who visited the hospital in the morning, said he spoke to the pontiff and inquired about his health.
Siddaramaiah had yesterday recommended to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to confer the Bharat Ratna, the country's highest civilian honour, on the seer in view of his selfless services to society.
Born in April 1908, the pontiff continues to guide the Mutt, which has been doing exemplary service to the community at large, the poor in particular, without any discrimination of religion or caste,Siddaramaiah had said in a letter to Modi.
The swamiji, referred to as 'the Walking God' by legions of hisdevotees and admirers, has been at the helm of Siddaganga mutt at Tumakuru since 1941.