Shivlinga Shivacharya

Shivling Shivacharya Maharaj (1916-2020), also known as Rashtrasant, was a freedom fighter from Ahmedpur, Latur who is seen by followers to be a scientifically inclined saint of the Lingayat community in Maharashtra, India.

Education

He was an MBBS graduate from 1945 and studied at the Warud Pathshala in Solapur. He also studied at the Lahore University.

Social and religious works

He was involved in the Quit India movement of 1942 and participated in various social and religious work. He was also the successor to the Veermath Sanstan.

He led the Madivalappa Math from 1934, promoting social and religious reform. Fluent in multiple languages, he revived the Lingayat community's singing and kirtan traditions. He also organized the Manmath Jyoti Rath Yatra, across the state and started the Shrikshetra Kapildhar Pilgrimage in 1955, Celebrating the veerashaiva saint Manmath Swami.

Other contributions

He compiled the Paramarhasya book by saint manmath swami, which was made available to his followers. He also practiced yoga in the Himalayas. He also championed social development through anti-superstition campaigns, environmental work, and interfaith harmony.

He founded the Dr. Shivling Shivacharya Maharaj Pratishthan's College of Education, established by D.B. Lohare in 2008. The college is approved by NCTE and Permanantly Affiliated to Swami Ramanand Teerth Marathawada University Nanded.

Death

He died on September 1, 2020 at the age of 104. The Shivacharya Samsthan announced that he died after a brief illness brought about by his advancing age. He had been treated for respiratory issues at a private hospital in Nanded for four days.