Karnataka's 111-year-old revered pontiff Shivakumar Swami of the Siddaganga Mutt at Tumakuru returned to the mutt from a Chennai hospital where he recently underwent a liver operation, an official said on Wednesday.
"The pontiff has recovered from the surgery and is in good health," the mutt's administrative officer S Vishwanath told news agency IANS.
The pontiff was flown to Chennai from Bengaluru on December 7 in an air ambulance for the operation to treat his liver and bile duct infection. He was flown back after his recovery to Bengaluru on Wednesday.
"The swami was able to travel by road to Tumakuru after he was airlifted to Bengaluru from Chennai," the official said.
Known among his followers as a walking god and an incarnation of the 12th century renowned social reformer, Basava, the Lingayat seer is also the head of the Sree Siddaganga Education Society that runs about 125 educational institutions in Karnataka.
The seer has been in and out of hospitals recently because of illnesses related to his age.
At Shivakumara Swami's Funeral, Karnataka Minister Allegedly Insults Woman Cop At State Funeral, Thousands Pay Tribute To Shivakumara Swami In Karnataka People Pay Homage To Karnataka Seer Shivakumara Swami: Highlights Under-Fire Trainee IAS Officer Accuses Pune Collector Of Harassment Trainee IAS Officer Puja Khedkar Recalled To Academy, Training Put On Hold "No Defamatory Remarks Against Governor": High Court To Mamata Banerjee US State Minnesota Cannot Stop Adults Under 21 From Carrying Guns: Court Study Abroad: Top 10 Affordable Universities In The UK Man Sets Mother On Fire Inside UP Police Station, Films Her Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.