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Beloved Mahadasoha Peetadhipathi Laid to Rest with State Honors
15 Aug
Summary
- Sharanabasavappa Appa, 8th Mahadasoha Peetadhipathi, passed away at 90
- Thousands paid respects before burial beside his father's tomb
- Elaborate religious ceremonies held as per Lingayat tradition
On August 14, 2025, the nation marked its 79th Independence Day, but the city of Kalaburagi in Karnataka was steeped in grief. Sharanabasavappa Appa, the eighth Mahadasoha Peetadhipathi of the Sharanabasaveshwara Samsthan, had passed away the previous night at the age of 90 after a prolonged battle with age-related ailments.
Appa, a revered spiritual leader and educationist, was laid to rest beside the tomb of his father and predecessor, the 7th Peetadhipathi, Doddappa Appa, at the Sharanabasaveshwara shrine. The burial took place with state honors, preceded by elaborate religious ceremonies steeped in centuries-old Lingayat tradition.
From the early hours, a steady stream of devotees, many with tear-streaked faces and folded hands, came from across Karnataka and neighboring states to pay homage to Appa. The air was filled with chants and prayers as his followers queued patiently for a last glimpse. Prominent dignitaries, including the Deputy Chief Minister, ministers, and legislators, also paid their respects before the burial.
With thousands thronging the temple complex, the district administration turned it into a high-security zone, deploying over 2,000 police personnel to ensure the peaceful completion of the last rites. The entire city seemed to pause in mourning, with major commercial hubs and shops surrounding the temple downing their shutters in a spontaneous mark of respect.
