If you have been following developments in Karnataka on the politico-religious front in recent times, Shivakumara Swami of Siddaganga Math would be familiar to you. This legendary Lingayat pontiff was paid a visit by both Narendra Modi and Rahul Gandhi ahead of last year's Assembly elections in the State.

Orphaning his disciples, the seer today passed away due to prolonged illness. He was 111. CM HD Kumaraswamy announced his demise at 11.44am a while ago. The state government has declared a holiday in the State tomorrow.

Fondly called as a “walking god”, many admire him for his firm practice of the Lingayat ideals of mass education and mass feeding. A social reformer, he was also the head of the Sree Siddaganga Education Society.

The Swami was born on April 1, 1907 in Ramanagara district in Karnataka. A philanthropist, he was conferred with the Padma Bhushan in 2015. The CM has today demanded that the Centre should give him Bharat Ratna posthumously.