Raichur: Siddaramanananda Swami,49, of Kanaka Guru Peetha at Kaginele near Tinthani Bridge in Devdurg taluk passed away due to a heart attack on Thursday morning. The seer,49, was admitted to Lingasugur Hospital soon after he complained of chest pain at 3.40am. However, he died of a heart attack, according to devotees of the peetha.Sources said preparations have been made for the swami’s last rites at the peetha in accordance with the Halumatha tradition. Many devotees have already gathered, and numerous dignitaries, including elected officials, are expected to attend the funeral.Siddharamananda Swami, whose birthname was Mohan Pradhan, is the second son of Mahadevaya and Jayamma from Kalamarahalli village in Challakere taluk of Chitradurga district.Pradhan left home at the age of 18, and moved from place to place driven by spiritual interests. He was influenced by Jainism and Christianity, and the Brahmakumari order. He studied the writings of various religions alongside the Sharana literature, and spent some time at Muruga Mutt in Chitradurga. Later, he lived in Sindhanur for four years.In 2011, he visited Kanaka Guru Peetha in Devdurga, and subsequently established the peetha at Kaginele too. He managed institutions that provided education from primary school to the PU level. He also provided free meals to children enrolled at the mutt-run schools. He has established degree colleges in Gudur and Muddebihal. Several dignitaries, including CM Siddaramaiah, have mourned his demise.
