Tumakuru circle to retain Shivakumara Swamiji's name, says MoS Somanna

Union Minister of State for Railways and Jal Shakti V Somanna on Thursday said the Tumakuru district administration has clarified that the name of the Dr Sri Shivakumara Mahaswamiji Circle in Tumakuru will not be changed.

In a post on X, the Tumakuru MP said devotees of the late Sri Siddaganga Mutt seer had approached him over reports that the circle's name could be altered as part of an ongoing development and beautification project. Following their representation, Somanna said he wrote to Chief Minister DK Shivakumar and Tumakuru district in-charge minister G Parameshwara, urging them to ensure that the circle continues to bear the revered seer's name.

"Acting on the devotees' request, the Deputy Commissioner of Tumakuru has clarified that the name of the circle will remain unchanged and will continue to honour Dr Sri Shivakumara Mahaswamiji," Somanna said.


In his earlier letter to the chief minister, Somanna noted that the circle was named after the seer about 25 years ago and sought assurances that the ongoing development works would continue to be associated with Shivakumara Swamiji's legacy.

The minister highlighted the seer's contribution to society, describing him as a champion of the Dasoha philosophy who dedicated nearly eight decades to serving the poor through food, education and shelter. Known as the "Walking God" among devotees, Shivakumara Swamiji, who lived to the age of 111, was widely respected for promoting social harmony and transcending barriers of caste and religion.

Somanna also referred to ongoing plans to beautify the junction, including landscaping and the construction of gateway structures, and requested that the project preserve the identity and legacy associated with Shivakumara Mahaswamiji while carrying out the proposed upgrades.