Mahantha Swami, the seer of Chittaragi Sri Vijaya Mahanthesh Samsthana Mutt, Ilakal, a staunch advocate of Basava philosophy and who strived for the welfare of the downtrodden, passed away at a private hospital in Belagavi on Saturday after a brief period of illness. He was 88.
Known for his ‘Mahanta Jolige’ (bag of alms), which he used to make people, particularly those belonging to the lower classes, to eschew bad habits, the swami believed in social equality.
Born on August 1, 1930, he became the 19th ‘Peethadhipati’ of Chittaragi Mutt in 1970. He travelled across the State, the country and also abroad preaching and propagating the ideology of Basaveshwara. He strove for the welfare of Dalits and also fought to make people free from alcoholism through his ‘Mahanta Jolige’. He was against superstitions and blind faith. When the issue of appointing a successor to the peetha cropped up, despite vehement protests, he appointed a ‘non-Jangama’ Lingayat disciple as his successor. The swami also appointed dalit, Lambani disciples to the ‘shakha mutts’ (branches).
Awards
Considering his contribution in spreading Basava philosphy, Karnataka University gave him a honorary doctorate in 2009. For helping many get rid of alcoholism, the Karnataka Temperance Board awarded him ‘Sanyama Prashasti’ in 2012. In the same year, the Karnataka government offered him the ‘Basava Award’.
The swami. who opposed the ‘Adda Pallakki Mahotsava’ (tradition of carrying seers in a palanquin by devotees), launched a movement against it and started the practice of carrying ‘bundles of vachanas’ in a procession.
Apart from publishing books on Basava philosophy, he was instrumental in bringing out a tri-monthly magazine ‘Basava Belagu’ which is being published since 1986.
The mortal remains of the swami will be kept at Veeramani Stadium in Ilakal of Bagalkot district on Sunday at 8 a.m. to allow the public to pay their last respects. The funeral will take place on Monday at 9 a.m. on the mutt premises.
