Siddhaganga
Mutt
Sri Siddhaganga Mutt (also called Siddhaganga
Kshetra) is a Lingayat Mutt with an attached educational institution. The Mutt
was established by Sri Haradanahalli Gosala Siddeshwara Swamigalu in the 15th
century. It is located in the Tumkur taluk.
Mutt
The Mutt or monastery is said to be established by
Thontada Siddhalingeswara to spread Lingayatism (a sampradaya of Shaivism).
The Mutt (also called as Mutt) has established
schools, a junior college and an engineering college, Medical College, School
for Special Needs of Children. It's a Gurukul for many poor people who cannot
afford expensive educations. No caste, No religion questions are asked and only
criteria needed here is hunger to learn. Every day it provides at least three
meals to people (Annadana).
Establishment
of Siddhaganga Mutt
The history of Sri Siddhaganga Mutt starts from the
14th century.
Sri Haradanahalli Gosala Siddeshwara was the 15th
in the order of peetacharya who handed over his headship and went to Shivaganga
with his 101 followers to create his own independent place for his religious
work. Then he moved to a hill near Keta Samudra (now Kyathasandra) from
Shivaganga. He created 101 caves for his followers for study and meditation and
also established the Mutt at Siddhaganga.
It is said that to quench the thirst of one of his
aged disciples Sri Gosala Siddesshwara, he hit the rock and a stream of water
came out of that rock. The holy water was named as "Siddhaganga" and
the name was thus given to this place. Locals believe that this holy water has
power to heal the mental and physical ailments and is allowed to be used by all
communities.
The history of Sri Siddhaganga Mutt in the last two centuries can be regarded as highly progressive due to its most revered, respected, humane, empowered with knowledge and wisdom of two of its greatest religious leaders. The first is Sri Sri Uddana Shivayogiglu and the second Dr. Sri Sri Sri Shivakumara Swami.