Swamy puts an end to ‘hairy’ tale, superstition

BELGAUM, NOV 20: For the past 24 years Shivappa Gharbude of Jainapur village in Chikkodi taluk had been sporting long matted hair. His parents had told him that the matted hair was Savadatti Yellamma Devi’s blessings.

However, after Shivappa developed a disease because of the hair, he was asked to cut it. Fearing the Devi’s ire, Shivappa did not get it cut but when he visited the Shivalingeshwar Math of Nidasoshi located in Hukkeri taluk, the Shivalingeshwar Swami advised him to remove the matted hair. Shivappa again refused for he feared that the Devi would get angry with him. The Swami then told him that the Devi is like a mother to all her devotees and a mother can never harm her children. The Swami himself removed the knots from Shivappa’s hair. Today Shivappa is relieved of his headaches and nothing bad has befallen him too. Since then, he has taken it upon himself to work towards enlightening people to dispel their superstitions.

The Nidasoshi Math also has since then been enlightening people against the ills of being superstitious. The Math and the Swami have a tremendous influence on the people of Belgaum district. The Swami believes it is the responsibility of the religious maths to educate people. Shivappa’s matted hair has now been exhibited in the Math for all to learn a lesson about not falling prey to superstitions. The Swami has also declared a war against the practice of Devadasi system and started institutions in the villages to educate the village youth.

The Swami feels that only the poor and illiterate fall prey to superstitions. The Math has decided to work with Myrada, an organisation which works for dispelling superstitions.