Daijiworld News Network - Mangalore (MB)
With inputs and support from Yathiraj Jain and Dhananjaya Moodbidri

Moodbidri, May 8 (Monday, 10-30 pm): Shri Keshavadasa Swamiji of the Konajekallu Sharadadas Siddhashram, a unique cave ashram at Padukonaje on the outskirts of this temple town on the way to Shirtadi and Naravi, passed away in the ashram on Monday.

Shri Keshavadasa Swamiji of Konajekallu

This ashram in the hilly and rocky area is known to be a spiritual centre of Goddess Adiparashakti, wherein long back saints and munis used to perform tapas (meditation).
  
This spot attracts both the religious as well as people interested in trekking and hill-climbing. Shri Sharadadas who set up an ashram here in 1947 died in 1979.

Although Shri Keshavadas appealed to Sharadadas to become his disciple, the Swamiji politely told Keshav to take time and come. Two  years after his death,  Keshavadas, after giving up his bank job, wealth and all became the Swamiji. He has travelled twice walking throughout india, with the daily pojas, special poojas to Shri Devi on Tuesday and Friday, guru pooja, navaratri pooja etc. traditionally performed.

The tradition  of senior Swamiji who used to undertake 'annadanam' with rice and grocery offered by the devotees any time to any number of devotees who visited the ashram was continued even by Keshavadas Swamiji.

This rocky ashram has devotees not only in Dakshina Kannada but also in distant places and cities. It does not have the tradition of passing on its charge to any disciple, but it is believed that Adi Parashakti herself has the power to attract and evolve a new swamiji.
 
MLA K Abhayachandra, former minister K. Amaranath Shetty, municipal vice president suresh kotian, local leaders Vasant shetty, Hariapapa Poojari, Kinhanna shetty  and others were present at the funeral (Samadhi)  held under the guidance of Bollyottu Vikhyatananda Swamji of Hosmar.