Varanasi, January 22: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday paid his tribute to Siddaganga Mutt seer Sri Shivakumara Swamiji and remembered him during his inaugural address at the 15th Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas in Varanasi. While addressing the PBD 2019 convention, Modi said that Swamiji treated him like his son every time he met him and showered love and blessings on him. He added that Swamiji's contribution towards humanity will always be remembered by the country. Sri Shivakumara Swamiji Funeral: Sea of Devotees Gather to Catch a Final Glimpse of the Seer, Last Rites to Be Held at 4.30 PM Today.

Lingayat leader Sri Shivakumara Swamiji breathed his last on Monday at 11:44 am in Karnataka's Tumakuru. He died at the age of 111 years after a prolonged illness. President Ram Nath Kovind and PM Modi expressed grief over the demise of the pontiff. Sri Shivakumara Swamiji Funeral Live Streaming on TV9 Kannada: Watch Last Rites of Siddaganga Mutt Seer in Tumakuru, Karnataka.

Video: PM Modi Expresses Grief Over Sri Shivakumara Swamiji's Death

“His Holiness Dr Sri Sri Sri Sivakumara Swamigalu lived for the people, especially the poor and vulnerable.  He devoted himself towards alleviating ills like poverty, hunger and social injustice. Prayers and solidarity with his countless devotees spread all across the world,” PM Modi had tweeted on Monday.

“HH Dr Sri Sri Sri Sivakumara Swamigalu remained at the forefront of ensuring better healthcare and education facilities for the marginalised. He represents the best of our traditions of compassionate service, spirituality and protecting the rights of the underprivileged. The wide range of community service initiatives being done there are outstanding and are at an unimaginably large scale," the Prime Minister added.

Meanwhile, a three-day statewide mourning has been declared in Karnataka. The last rites of Swamiji will be performed on Tuesday at 4:30 pm at the Siddaganga Mutt in Tumkur.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 22, 2019 12:48 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).