Siddaganga Mutt has a new chief

TUMKUR: In a surprise move, chief of the 500-year-old Siddaganga Mutt Dr Sri Shivakumara Swamiji passed the power baton to his junior Sri Siddalinga Swamiji (48) in a simple function at the mutt here on Thursday.Suttur seer, Belimutt seer, former Justice Malimath, writer G S Siddalingaiah and Tumkur Deputy Commissioner C Somashekara were among the invitees for the event, which was witnessed by 1,500 select audience.With this, an era of 104yearold pontiff as the head of the mutt from January 11, 1941, comes to an end. The senior pontiff's advanced age and his trust in his successor were cited as reasons for the move.The centenarian seer put the monetary contributions from devotees, including Housing Minister V Somanna and Somashekar, into the jolige (traditional bag used by seers to collect alms) of Sri Siddalinga Swamiji on the occasion.However, he will continue as peethadhyaksha, but Sri Siddalinga Swamiji will be the president and signing authority responsible for all the daytoday affairs of the Veerashaiva Virakta lineage mutt and will also be responsible for 121 educational institutions, including an engineering college.