Dr. Sri Shivamurthy Murugha Sharanaru is the present pontiff of the Math, Who was coronated in the Holy throne on 31st January, 1991, as successor of Sri Mallikarjuna Murugharajendra Swamiji. Sri Shivamurthy Murugha Sharanaru was born on 11th April, 1958, in a village called Godabanahal, near Chitradurga. He did his education in Chitradurga and completed his graduation here only from the University of Mysore. His sober, sincere and spiritual attitudes and aptitudes, attracted the attention of Sri Mallikarjuna Murugharajendra Swamiji, who declared him as his successor. Before enthroning him a Shoonya Peetha, Sri Mallikarjuna Murugharajendra Swamiji provided spiritual and social training at different branch Maths, including Sri Murugharajendra Math at Haveri. Which is popularly called Haveri Hosamath.
Immediately after his inception as seer, functioning of Sri Math took a sudden turn. He discarded age-old meaningless rituals blindly practiced in the Math which were inconsistent with Sharanas culture and Basava philosophy . By switching over to active social service from simple religious ceremonies, he gave a progressive outlook to the Maths’s activities. Though his pragmatic approach and insightful decisions he initiated the transformation from the thresholds of Sri Math, Chitradurga. He set self example by renouncing the prefix “Jagadguru” and suffix “ Swamiji”. He humbly wished to call him as “Sharana”, which means “one who has submitted himself to God”. Tradition of sitting in silver throne and holy Palanquin an ceremonial occasions has also been discontinued.
Practice of traditional abhishekam to the “Karthru Gaddhuge”, the holy burial place of the founder Sri Math, Sri Muruge Shantaveera Swamiji, has also been given up. Entry to this place was restricted for women for centuries. Sri Swamiji lifted this restriction and set an example for the equal treatment for girls and boys, men and women.
New Mission, New Program:
Sri swamiji set compassion and co-existence as two mission for the Math. Sharanas culture was considered as the only ideals for life. Propagation of Basava Philosophy and its execution in day to day life were the programes he designed for the Math and disciples. For their careful implementation he organized the interested people and motivated them with required training. Fostered Basava Kendras in villages, towns and cities gave them monthly and annual program for implementation. Traveled over the length and breadth of countries and continents. Welcomed the scholars, social workers and political leaders to the Math and honoured them to motivate others. Created literary and cultural foundations for providing necessary infrastructure to convert his dreams into reality.
His field of action includes the eradication of evils of caste system, removal of inequality and poverty, discontinuing the practice of blind beliefs, avoiding the environmental pollution while implementing development projects, helping the workers and farmers, arranging the protection for the orphan children, abode for old age people, elimination of bad habits and drug addiction, anti dowry programmes, widow and inter caste marriages are some of the activities to name. Sharana Sangama, Sharana Sanskriti Utsava, Sahaja Shivayoga, Maneyalli Mahamane, Janajagruthi Padayatra, Maha Dasoha, Basava Shree Award, Abode for orphan children and old age people, Basava Tatva Mahavidyalya are some of the programs to specify amongst the number of projects planned and executed.
Visit Dr. Sri Shivamurthy Murugha Sharanaru Swamiji Official website Here.