Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Saturday inaugurated the 111th birth anniversary celebrations of Shivarathri Rajendra Swami of Suttur Mutt at the Mysuru branch of the mutt on the foothills of Chamundi Hills here.

Former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Shivarathri Deshikendra Swami of Suttur Mutt, Siddalinga Swami of Siddaganga Mutt, Nischalanandanatha Swami of Vishwa Vokkaligara Mahasamsthana, Datta Vijayananda Swami of Avadhoota Datta Peetha, Ministers, MPs, MLAs and other dignitaries attended the programme.

Mr. Shivakumar inaugurated the Jayanti celebrations by lighting the traditional lamp.

Earlier, Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara flagged off the JSS Vignana Vahini.

On the occasion, Minister in-charge of Mysuru district Yathindra Siddaramaiah released the second edition of the book Rajendra Nudinamana. Mysuru MP Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar released a special edition of the Prasada magazine, while Minister for Animal Husbandry K. Puttarangashetty released the book ‘Man with Divinity: Pujya Rajendra Sri’.

In his address, Mr. Shivakumar recalled Rajendra Swami’s Anna Dasoha and Akshara Dasoha and said the State government was replicating the model. He lauded the Suttur Mutt for its yeoman service to society, particularly in the fields of education and social welfare.

Addressing the gathering, Mr. Siddaramaiah praised Rajendra Swami for pioneering education in rural areas. He said the seer’s contribution to social reform and his efforts to take education to all sections of society were remarkable and deserving of appreciation.

He recalled that Rajendra Swami had played a pioneering role in expanding the reach of education and transforming the lives of people, particularly in rural areas.