His Holiness Dr. Tontada Siddlinga Mahaswamiji
Birth and Education of Swamiji :
Swamiji was born in 1949 in Sindagi of Bijapur district. Bijapur is the drought prone district of Karnataka. It was the place which gave birth to Mahatma Basaveshwar of 12th century the greatest social reformer of South India, whose statue stands in the premises of the parliament. The pontiff Swamiji also comes from the same district. He was born in 1949 at Sindagi and completed his primary education in Sindagi. His uncle a great Mahatapashwi, famous saint, reformer was his mentor and he gave initial religious education. He went to Hubli for High School and post graduation. He is post graduated from Karnataka University in the year 1974. During his stay at Hubli and Dharwad he came into close contact with Dr. D.R. Bendre, D.S. Karki, Dr. R.C. Hiremath, Dr. M.M. Kalaburgi, Dr. Bhusnumarmath, Pandit Tophakane who were great men of letters. Swamiji was the editor of Paramjyoti a religious monthly Kannada Magzine published from Moorasaviramath Hubli.
Vivekanand of Karnataka :
Swamiji deeply studied the religion and philosophy of all religions of East and West. Swamiji’s impressive personality and mode of forceful speeches mesmerized the people. On account of these rare qualities he is also called Swami Vivekanand in Karnataka. The competition took place among the ancient maths of Karnataka to take him as mathadhipati for their maths. But swamiji finally agreed to become pontiff of Yedeyur-Dambal-Gadag Tontadaswamy Math. Swamiji is the 19th Peethadipati of the great parampare of Yedeyur Siddhalingeshwara who is known as 2nd Basaveshwara. Swamiji was coroneted in the holy throne on 29 July 1974 and since then has been serving the society at large. This math is an ancient math in Karnataka and received royal patronage from time to time. Keladi dynesty in Karnataka was the staunch and main devotee of the math and its contribution to the math is remarkable. The British Govt. recognizing the glorious service of math to humanity accorded all royal privileges befitting to the royal dignitaries. As the years advanced, in the middle of the 20th Centuary the administration and glory of the math suffered. At that crucial time swamiji entered as saviour of the old grandeur of this famous Lingayat Math. The first message he gave after ascending the peetha in 1974 is worthy to note here : “To be the pontiff of the math is not to build temples and gopuras. His main task is to build the people. Math is not a place to idle away the time by doing bhajanas and keertanas. They are the centers of secularism, people awakening centers. There the literature, art, culture have to be discussed and debated and people should not be under the false impression of equating, caste, rituals, tradition as dharma. That is the narrow concept of dharma. The real dharma or religion means love of fellow beings, Communal harmony, Philosophy, and Humanity. It became blue print of for his future plans for the promotion of Communal Harmony and National Integration.”
Establishment of Lingayat Progressive Society :
As a first step he has developed this progressive organization and gave new vision and scope and fixed objectives to the organization. It has been conducting weekly Shivanubhava Programmes from the past 37 years without interruption which is a record. Nowhere in Karnataka or in any other part of India such a organization has taken place. Being inspired by this organization several mutts and monasteries have also started similar programmes. The Shivanubhava programme of every Monday held at the precincts of the Math have made religion, literature, culture, as social oriented. Irrespective of caste, creed, status, position people have been participating in this programme like poets, artists, literary men, thinkers, doctors, farmers, labourers, scientists, priests, moulvis, bhattarakas, yatis, dharmadikaris, musicians, actors, dramatists, sportsman, stage actors etc. of national repute. They made this Shivanubhava Programme as their own. Almost all intellectuals of Karnataka have shared this dias. It has become a forum for all classes of people and a workshop of constructive ideas and progressive thoughts. Now no doubt it has become eligible to find place in Guinness records as it has completed 2000 programmes.
Reformation in Agriculture :
There is no improvement of the society without the improvement of the farmers. Knowing the pitable conditions of the farmers always fighting against oddities, Swamiji set himself as a model by introducing innovative measures in the agriculture. He was instrumental and inspirational for erracting the barrage across the river Krishna at Chikkapadasalagi in Jamakhandi Taluka of Bagalkot district. Swamiji mobilized, inspired and financed the farmers to make the project a reality. This barrage is a unique in the whole of Asia as it was built by the farmers with their own labour and money under the leadership of Shri Siddu Nyamagoudar, former Congress Minister in Govt. of India. It was inaugurated by no less a person Smt. Sonia Gandhiji, Honarable President of All India Congress Committee. Honarable madam was inspired and elated by the speech made by Swamiji who said “You give us water, we give you food”. In her reply madam was in conformity with Swamji’s observation. Land is also donated to Agriculture Dept. at Dambal for Farmers Centre.
Distribution of 4000 acres of Math’s land to the landless and Agricultural Labourers :
The math was owning 4000 acres of land given by the royal dynasties and the British. The farmers who were cultivating and also those who were not cultivating these lands in Gadag, Mundaragi, Badami, Ron, Yelburga, Navalgund etc. talukas were given the land ownership by the swamiji without any dispute and with all pleasure. Thousands of farmers became the beneficiaries of the Swamiji’s munificent distribution.
Free feeding to 15000 people everyday :
Kayaka (work) and Dasoha (free feeding) are the two cardinal concepts of Basaveshwar Philosophy. Accordingly the swamiji is conducting dasoha (free feeding) at Yedeyur and Keggere in Tumkur district and also at Gadag and Haveri. In these free feeding centers everyday irrespective of caste, creed more than 15000 people are fed with huge expenditure.
Crusade against terrorism and communalism :
On 11-09-1993 speaking at the inaugural function of Ramakrishna Vivekanand Ashram and centenary celebration of Chicago speech of Swami Vivekanand, the swamiji made an emphatic statement in the form of message that “what we need today is humanity but not temples and masjids. God, Mutts, Temples and Monks exist for people to live. Unfortunately the same saints have become the destroyers of the people and humanity. In an another speech at Gadag, swamiji said that the “demolition of Babri Masjid was not the sign of bravery or heroism. Every structure of the community has the history of its own. Yellamma temple at Savadatti was originally padmavati temple of Jainism. Now it is worshipped by Hindu people. So also Thirupati temple was originally was a Shaiva temple now it has become vaishnav temple. Then how can you destroy these temples? Is there any end to it? He condemned the demolition of Babri Masjid logically”.
The another daily news paper of Karnataka i.e. Sanmyukta Karnataka published the statement of swamiji. “There is a fight between the flags of saffron and green” which is detrimental to the integration of the country. The cloth used for these religious flags is not just enough to cover our honour. For the shake of these pieces of cloth why hundreds and thousands should loose their valuable lives”?. Kannada Prabha and other leading news papers in Karnataka highlighted the speech of swamiji as under :
“For Hindus Gandhiji’s Hindu Religion is needed not the Hindu Religion of Godse.” So also for muslims Islam of prophet Paigambar is needed not the Islam of Bin Laden”. Swamiji after receving the most coveted award by the President of India at Rastrapathi Bhavan, he addressed the felicitation function held at Karnataka Bhavan New Delhi. The gist of the speech made on that day is remarkable : “It is wrong to say that India became secular state after the implementation of the constitution. It was there before thousands of year earlier. This country accepted and practiced Charvaka theory of atheism and accepted the monotheism. Apart from that there are Acharyas who advocate for existence of several Gods. Therefore India is a multi religious nation. In this country is it wrong to accept the muslim calling Allah as God alone? Can you not believe the religion of Christianity wherein Jesus says he is the son of God? Can you not trust the religion of Jainism which accepts all 24 Thirthankaras as God? All these religions have flourished in the natural way on this land.
Peace procession in the communally disturbed villages :
Swamiji undertook peace procession in the communally affected places like Naregal in Hanagal taluka, Andola in Jewargi taluka, and similarly in other places. He succeeded in bringing rapprochement between the communally violent groups.
Spread of Education :
There is a big network of branch mutts in north Karnataka which were earlier merely the centers of worship. Swamiji converted these centres of worship as the centers of educations. Accordingly he covered the very backward districts of Karnataka like Raichur, Gulburga, Koppal, Bijapur, Bellary, Gadag etc. by starting educational institutions of different disciplines. About 80 institutions including Destitute Homes, ITI, Polytechnics, Ayurveda, Engineering, Samskrit Pathashalas etc. have been started. The doors of the institution are open to all students irrespective of caste and gender. Nominal fees are collected. Free board and lodging arrangements are made. It helped the children of poor farmers and workers to prosecute their studies.
Service to Literature :
He established Lingayat Adhyayan Samsthe to enrich the Kannada Literature and so far he has brought out more than 500 publications under this organization. The Hampi University of Karnataka Govt., knowing the contribution of this organization, recognized it as its research centre. So also the Govt. of Karnataka has awarded with the cash prize of 1 lakh with citation as the best publisher. The books brought out by this institute are varied. The books highlight the communal harmony, nations unity, emotional integration, unity in diversity.
Distribution of Zinc sheets, Cash, Cloths, books and establishment of Gruel centres : Whenever the different parts of north Karnataka were affected by the natural calamaties, Swamiji by conducting Padayatra with his followers raised the funds, food grains, blankets and delivered them to the victims. So also thousands together Zinc sheets purchased by the math are distributed to the houseless people during the calamaties.
Transforming of Jatras into Janata Universities :
The math and it’s branches has the antiquity of 500 years. The annual car festival is an annual religious festival in which thousands of devotees participate. The blind beliefs which were in practice were given goby. As a part of the celebration many programmes highlighting rationalism, patriotism, integration are being conducted. Agricultural fares, animal fares, exhibitions etc. are also conducted. None of the false orthodox rituals are practiced in the procession. The another very significant feature of the car festival is that about more than 25000 people bring Jowar Roti and hand them over to math for conducting ‘Sahabojan’. Now its very famous as Roti Jatra. In ‘Sahabojan’ all caste people sit together eat food as Prasad which unravels the internal harmony among the people. Every year the chairman of the Jatra Mahotsava is selected from different communities including muslims, dalitas, jains etc. which is a revolutionary act in orthodox society.
Mass Marriages :
The swamiji is conducting mass marriages in Gadag and Malagitti villages from past 30 years. In every mass marriage more than 100 couple get wedded. In the mass marriages the marriages of different castes will take place. No amount is collected. On the contrary cloths and mangala sutras are given free of cost.
Relation with other religious heads :
Swamiji maintains very close relationship with other religious heads of different faiths like Dalailama, Adhichunchanagiri Swamiji, Siddhaganga Swamiji, Kaginele Swamiji, Veerendra Heggade of Dharmasthala, Bishops, Moulvis, Ravishankar Guruji, Suttur Swamiji, Banjara Guruji, Jain Bhattarakas. The all India Anjuman Committee President also participated with Swamiji apart from other religious heads in the Mutt’s programme.
Awards conferred on His Holiness Swamiji :
1) The Gulburga University of the Karnataka state has awarded ‘Honorary Doctorate Degree in the year 1994’ to the Swamiji for his outstanding contribution made in the field of education and literature.
2) The Rotary international organization has bestowed upon him the ‘Paul Haris Fellowship’ for the service to the society.
3) Govt. of Karnataka has awarded the prestigious state level ‘Rajyotsava Award’ for the Communal Harmony in the year 1995.
4) The govt. of India has conferred the prestigious Communal Harmony and National Integration Award for the year 2001. This is awarded by His Excellency the President of India at Rastrapati Bhavan, New Delhi in the presence of Honarable Prime Minister and Home Minister of India.
5) Govt. of Karnataka has awarded its higher award i.e. ‘Rastriya Basava Puraskara’ for the year 2009.
6) Govt. of Karnataka also awarded the best ‘Kannada Publisher’ for the year 2011.
Books Brought on Swamiji :
Many eminent writers have brought out the following books on Swamiji in Kannada.
1) ‘Bayalollas’ an epic in Kannada written by an eminent poet Shri Nirupadi Swamiji keeping the life and achievements of Tontadarya Swamiji.
2) ‘Kannada Jagadguru’ By : Prof Chandrashekar Vastrad
3) ‘Samanyara Swamiji’ By : Pfor C.S. Vastrad
4) ‘Shri Tontadarya Jagadguru Dr. Siddhalinga Swamiji’
By : Shri. S.M. Krishnaraya
5) ‘Sangeet Priya Swamiji’ By : Prof. Rajeev Hiremath
6) ‘Komu Souhardhateya Harikar’ By: Prin. S.S.Pattanashetti, Dambal
7) ‘Kalyanada Haadi’ By : Dr. Siddalinga Pattanashetti, Dharwad
8) The Great epic called as ‘Kattalunda Belaku’ By : Nirupadeshwar Swami.
9) More than 1000 articles have appeared in State Level Magzines and News Papers.
Free Medical Service :
1) Swamiji has donated the most valuable lands of the Mutt in Gadag, Rudnur, Malagitti to construct the Govt. hospitals apart from the required money to start the hospitals.
2) Swamiji has great concern for animals. And he has given the land at Betageri and Dambal for the construction of veterinary hospitals.
3) The largest project of 300 bedded Charitable hospital is undertaken at Gadag-Betageri twin city for the health care of the people.
Lands donated to Masjids Urdu Schools and SC/ST hostels to Promote the Communal Harmoney.
1) Swamiji donated the lands at Annigeri of Dharwad district and at Mundaragi of Gadag district for construction of mosques, Urdu schools. On account of it the urdu poet namely Hajarat Janabpeer has brought the laudatory book namely ‘Puspanjalee’.
2) Land at Dambal village is donated for the construction of pre matric BCM. SC & ST hostel. So also another land is gifted to Govt. for construction of post matric SC/ST hostel.
3) Land is donated for construction of SC/ST hostel at Alamatti in Bijapur district.
4) Land is donated for construction of BCM hostel at Annigeri.
5) Land is donated for construction of BCM hostel at Harlapur.
Lands given ot Govt. Education Institutions :
1) The most valuable 3 acres land is given to Govt. for starting first grade college at Mundaragi.
2) 3 acres land is given at Bachigondanalli in Bellary districts to construct Govt. College.
3) The land at Rudnur in Gulburga district is donated to Govt. to construct Govt. college and high school.
4) Lands are given to Govt. to construct the Govt. Primary schools at Shirol, Harlapur, Dambal, Byagwadi, New Dambal.
Lands Gifted to other Private charitable trusts :
1) Swamiji donated land to Kalmeshwar High School, P.U.C. College and Degree College at Hole Alur.
2) Donated to VF patil High school, Ron
3) Donated 13 acres to Amrutheshwara High School, PUC college and Degree college at Annigeri
4) Donated to Gurubasava Primary School Itagi.
5) Donated to Anganawadi Kendras at Manakawad, Abbigeri and Harlapur.
6) Donated to KLE society Belgaum to run J.T. College at Gadag.
Financial Assistance : Swamiji has given financial assistance for the following institutions.
1) G. Mahadevappa Cancer hospital, Hubli.
2) Devadasi Vimochana Samsthe, Athani
3) Gram Panchayat Dambal for Jala Nirmala Yojane
4) LE Association Dharwad.
5) Kondaguli Keshiraj High School, Kondaguli. Sindagi
6) Tontada Siddhalingeshwara High School Mundaragi.
Contribution to wards the installation of the reformer Basava statue :
Construction of largest statue of Basaveshwara at Gadag. Basaveshwara is the greatest social reformer. To spread his preachings Swamiji contributed for the installation of largest statue of Basaveshwar at Gadag. So also contributed for the installation at Jamakhandi.
The Movements led by Swamiji :
It is the avowed objective of Swamiji that the primary education upto 5th Std must be given to the children in their mother tongue. Under the light of this swamiji played very pivotal role in Gokak chaluvali. His speech at Sindagi in the year 1982 is the main source of inspiration for this historic agitation. The swamiji associated himself with the agitations to make it successful one.
Agitation against POSCO :
It was the proposed biggest South Korean steel plant to be established in the district of Gadag causing untold misery to the formers, birds, animals etc. conservation of the Kappattagudda which is an abode of precious medicinal plants, rich mineral resources, is the main object of the Swamiji. Swamiji received wide backing from the eminent persons like Medha Patkar and host of such eminent people. They also joined the movement with swamiji. As a result the Govt. of Karnataka retreated from the proposed project.
The Source of Income
The Math owns lands and several buildings in Gadag city. It has constructed no of buildings which yields the rental income apart from agricultural income. Swamiji never asks any body for financial help. Prominent patrons : Swamiji is known as ¸ÁªÀiÁ£ÀågÀ ¸Áé«ÄÃf Hence he does not expect any grand patrons. Common people are his main devotees.-
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