Davanagere: After 16 years, the Veerashaiva Pancha Peetadhishwara pontiffs assembled on a single platform in front of thousands of followers on Monday in Davanagere. The two-day congregation of Veerashaiva pontiffs and Shivacharya commenced at Renuka Mandira in the city, organised by Akhil Bharat Veerashaiva Shivacharya organisation.The event saw the participation of Veerasomeshwar swami from Rambhapuri Peeta, Siddalinga Deshikendra swami of Ujjayani, Channasiddarama Panditaradya swami of Srishail, Mallikarjun Vishwaradya swami of Kashi Peeta, and Bheemashankar Linga Shivacharya swami of Kedara Peeta. Religious leaders from various centres across Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and other regions attended this significant gathering.Eshwar Khandre, general secretary of Akhila Bharata Veerashaiva Mahasabha and forest minister, highlighted that Veerashaiva mutts engage in both religious activities and social service, including dasoha and education. “These Veerashaiva Lingayat mutts have been spreading valuable thoughts irrespective of caste and religion,” he added.Notable attendees included mines minister SS Mallikarjun, the Akhil Bharat Veerashaiva Mahasabha president Shamanur Shivashankarappa, former chief minister BS Yediyurappa, mahasabha state president Shankar Bidari, BJP state president BY Vijeyendra, former CM and MP Jagadish Shettar, MP Prabha Mallikarjun, and others.
