Daijiworld Media Network - Bagalkot (SP)

Bagalkot, Sep 12: Salim Sheikh, a resident of Haveri district, who has changed his name to 'Sangamananda Swamy' after having been  initiated into 'Basava Dharma (righteousness principles as preached by Basavanna)', is all set to complete higher studies about religions at Himachal Pradesh.

Salim Sheikh had recently been ordained into the religious order by Basava Jayamrutyunjaya Swamy of Panchamasali Gurupeeta, Koodalasangama, in the district by giving him ‘Linga Deeksha’, after he expressed interest to uphold the equality of religions, at a time when the society is divided on religious grounds and when terrorism and religious conversions have become burning issues.

Salim Shekh from Tumminakatti village of Ranebennur taluk in Haveri district has completed M A in Kannada from Karnataka University, Dharwad. After accepting 'Basava Dharma', Salim Sheikh has embraced a new name, 'Sangamananda Swamy' and has been engaged in preaching Basavanna’s principles.

Sangamananda Swamy will undertake a two-year course on all the religions at the Indian Spiritual Centre located in Himachal Pradesh, besides visiting pilgrimage centres like Varanasi, Haridwar etc. He wants to totally get involved with the preaching of Basava Dharma after completing this education.

Before leaving for Himachal Pradesh, Sangananda Swamy said that he has accepted the principles of Basava Dharma with the lone aim of spreading the message of national integration and religious equality. Basava Jayamrutynjaya Swamy, on the occasion, said that Salim Sheikh had a leaning towards spirituality since his childhood and having been attracted by the principles of ‘equality among all kinds of people and work’ that Basavanna has preached, he accepted Basava Dharma. He also informed that Salim Sheikh, coming from a well-refined Muslim family, has already had studied the Basava Dharma at Akkalakote Mutt, Siddharoodha Mutt etc., for some time.