Amit Shah visits Siddaganga mutt, says Modi implementing Swamiji’s teachings

“Visiting Siddaganga leads to an awakening within us,” he saidG

ITDC INDIA EPRESS/ITDC NEWS R Prime Minister Narendra Modi has emulated Sri Sri Sri Siddaganga Swamiji’s ‘Trivida Dasoha’ - anna, akshara, ashraya dasoha (free food, education and shelter) to serve the poor – said Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Tumakuru on Friday, while taking part in the 115th birth anniversary of Sri Sri Sri Shivakumara Swamiji of Siddaganga Mutt.

“This is a holy place borne out of a saint’s penance and relentless service. That is the reason people call Shivakumara Swamiji as ‘Adhunik Basavanna’ (Modern day Basavanna – the 12th century social reformer). This place has helped thousands shape their life and reach great heights. He made a sincere effort to translate each of Basavanna’s vachanas into action. He adopted the Trividha Dasoha - anna, akshara, ashraya (free food, education and shelter) to serve the poor. Anyone who comes to the Mutt never returns hungry. More than 10,000 children are currently studying in the Mutt,” said Shah, adding that the BJP government had adopted the same approach to serve the poor.

“During the Covid pandemic, the BJP government gave free food grains - five kilos per person every month, to 80 crore people for two years. The new education policy hopes to provide technical and medical education in one’s mother tongue. The Modi government provided housing for three crore people in the last seven years. Some people call him Shiva Yogi and an avatar of Basavanna. But I feel we all should follow his message of Karma (action),” said Shah, who recalled Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s words - “Uttar mein Ganga aur Dakshin mein Siddaganga”.

“If bathing in the Ganga washes away one’s sins, visiting Siddaganga leads to an awakening within us about one’s good karma accumulated over many lives,” said Shah, adding that it was his third visit to Siddaganga Mutt and every time, he had returned both inspired and energised.

“Our country is an ancient civilisation which saw the emergence of holy places based on references from mythology like the Jyotir Linga, Shakti Peeths and birthplaces of Lord Ram and Lord Krishna. However, many places became pilgrimage centres by virtue of the work rendered by great saints like Dr Shivakumara Swamiji of Sri Siddaganga Mutt. For 88 years of his life, he toiled to translate the words of Basavanna into action. When a man becomes selfless and begins to serve the people, the country and the dharma (righteousness), an aura engulfs him, and it brings light into the lives of many around him, it guides them towards education and helps build character and righteousness. The pontiff’s work, will continue to inspire people to lead a life on the right path for a long time,” added Shah.

Earlier Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, responding to a request made by state BJP vice president B.Y. Vijayendra said, “The government’s mid-day meal scheme will be named after Sri Sri Sri Shivakumara Swamiji.”