Prime Minister Narendra Modi mourns demise of Lingayat diviner

New Delhi, Jan 21 Prime Minister Narendra Modi Monday mourned the demise of a demise Lingayat seer, saying he lived for the people, particularly poor people.

The seer of Tumakuru-based Siddaganga Math, 111-year-old Shivakumara Swamiji, who was known as the 'Walking God', passed on Monday after a prolonged sickness.

"His holiness Dr Sree Sivakumara Swamigalu lived for the people, particularly poor people and defenseless. He gave himself towards reducing ills like neediness, yearning and social treachery. Prayers and solidarity with his countless devotees spread all across the world," the PM tweeted.

He said the seer remained at the forefront of guaranteeing better healthcare and education facilities for the minimized and spoke to the best of Indian traditions of compassionate service, spirituality and protecting the rights of the underprivileged.

"I have had the privilege to visit the Sree Siddaganga mutt and receive the blessings of His Holiness Dr Sree Sree Sree Sivakumara Swamigalu.

"The wide range community service initiatives being done there are outstanding and are at an unfathomably huge scale," the PM called attention to.