Lakhs bid tearful adieu to "Walking God" Shivakumara Swami

Lakhs of people bid a tearful adieu to their "Walking God", as the mortal remains of 111-year-old Sree Shivakumara Swamiji of Siddaganga mutt, was laid to rest Tuesday with fullstate honours at the premises of the seminary he headedfor over seven decades.

The most revered swamiji, who left an indelibleimprint with his stellar contributions in the education sector and philanthropy targeted at children in whom he saw the Almighty,was buried as "Kriya Samadhi", according to Veerashaiva/Lingayat traditions, amid chanting of hymns.

Known as "trivida dasohi" for his triple sacraments -food, shelter and education - among his followers, the Swamiji, who passed away on Monday,was buried in a sitting posture at the Samadhi with cakes of viboothi (sacred ash), salt, sand, bilva leaves (Aegle marmelos) and rudrakshi, among other things.

Preparations and rituals for the burial ceremony wereon since morning at the place, which, according to sources, was notified by Shivakumara Swami himself.

The pontiff had also recorded the proceduresthat needed to be followed for his last rites, according to hissuccessor and junior pontiff of the mutt, Siddalinga Swamiji.

Earlier speaking to reporters, the junior swami hadsaid that the last rites would be performed according to the swami'swish.

"He has written about it. He had expressed a desire that the last rites have to be performed as done to his guru (UddanaShivayogigalu)," Siddalinga swamiji said