HUBBALLI: Normally, Lingayats bury the bodies of their dead parents and construct a samadhi. But Mahantesh Devaru Rabakavi-Banahatti , chose to donate the body of his mother Kamalavva Shivappa Telasang , 80, to the Koppal Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS) which needs bodies for study and research.Though Kamalavva died on January 22, the day after Shivakumara Swami of Siddaganga Mutt in Tumakuru passed away, her body was donated to KIMS on February 5 after it had been preserved at the Sri Gangadhar Viraktamath (SGV) Ayurveda College in Bailhongal.Devaru said his decision is based on Basavanna’s teachings. “We have been students of Mahant Math in Ilkal, which has been famous for revolutionary resolutions. Before taking this decision, we discussed with Guru Mahant Swamiji of Ilkal and Murugha Sharanaru of Chitradurga, who extended their support. We’re proud that her body is being used for the welfare of mankind,” he said.Dr Mahantesh Ramannavar, secretary, Dr Ramannavar Charitable Trust, Bailhongal, who is creating awareness about body donation, said the Swamiji is open-minded about learning and adopting new things. “After his donation, 30 people from Banhatti pledged their bodies and hundreds have expressed their interest to do so soon,” he said.Balachandra Shetty, Irappanna Bargad, Shashikant Mahajan, Narendra Chinchur, Kalavathi Bhadrannavar, Dhanyakumar Bhadrannavar — devotees of Banhatti Math — said they registered to donate their bodies and feel proud that they’ll be useful to society even after death.Dr Channabasanagouda Patil, head of the department of anatomy, KIMS, Koppal, said as per Medical Council of India’s norms, KIMS needs 10 bodies but it has only five. It’ll have a positive impact on devotees. If all religious leaders promote such initiatives based on scientific temperament, medicine can achieve a lot,” he added.

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