Speaking after inaugurating the programme, Tumkur Siddagnanga junior pontiff Sri Siddaganga Swamiji opined that India stands as spiritual and religious guide to the world.

It is because of the moral support and guidance of the religious mutts across the State one can find religious and moral values still prevailing.

The religious institutions in the State play a great role in preventing the State going ‘Bihar’ way, the pontiff opined. He called upon the public to follow Basavanna’s principles to gain physical, family and social health.
Bettahalli mutt seer Chandrashekhar Shivacharya Swamiji, speaking on the occasion, said that Senior pontiff of Siddaganga Mutt Shivakumara Shivacharya Swamji  has launched ‘Grameena Basava Jayanti’ programme to popularise Basava principles. He stressed on constructing ‘Basava Rajya.’

Former minister Ramachandregowda felt the need of ‘Guruparampare’ to build a good society.

He said that each mutt in the State is unique in its own way with its distint history and tradition. If every mutt continues to propagate moral values, everyone in the society will lead a peaceful life. Lok Sabha Member S Mallikarjunaiah presided over the programme while former MP N Srinivas, former district BJP president M D Laxminarayana were chief guests.

Cine actor Hulivana Gangadharaiah, Welcome Committee Chairman K B Boregowda, Prakash, Hanumantaraju, M C Rajanna and Kalegowda were among others who were present on the occasion.

Guruvandana
As part of Guruvandana programme Siddalinga Mahaswamiji, Sowmyanatha Swamiji of Adichunchanagiri Vijayanagara branch mutt in Bangalore, Ankanahalli mutt Shivarudra Shivacharya Swamiji, Bettahalli mutt Chandrashekhara Shivacharyaswamiji, Hittalahalli mutt Sadashiva Shivacharya Swamiji, Kunigal Hiremath Shivakumara Shivacharya Swamiji, Tayurumutt Mahesharadhya Swamiji, Areshankara mutt Siddaramaiah Chaitanya Swamiji, Kaggere Tontadarya Swamiji, Huliyurudurga Siddalinga Shivacharya Swamiji, Yogavana Kapardisiddalinga Shivayogi, Deepambudi Kalikamba temple Karunakara Swamiji, D Hosahalli Veerabhadra Shivacharya Swamiji were offered pooja by Jayaramaiah and his wife. Retired teachers Rajashekharaiah, Channaveeraiah, Basavaraju, Bhadraiah, Kempamma, Siddaveeramma, Angadi Shivanna, Shivarudraiah, P Channaveraiah and Boraiah were felicitated on the occasion.

No politics please...
Kunigal, dhns: When a seer suggested his devotees to vote for BJP, Siddaganga mutt junior pontiff Siddaganga Swamiji opposed the seer’s move and advised him not to indulge in the politics.

While speaking at the Guruvandana programme, Huliyurudurga Siddalinga Shivananda Swamiji had allegedly said that the devotees should give BJP a chance as the State had seen the rulings of Congress and JD(S) so far.
However, Siddaganga Swamiji raised objection saying that the mutts need not support BJP just because the programme was organised by the party leaders.

The mutt should give priority to religion and spirituality and in democratic set up voters should excise their discretion in electing the representatives, he said.