Sree Sree Uddana Shivayogigalu

Sree Sree Uddana Shivayogigalu adorned the seat of Sree Siddaganga Math after Sree Sree Ataveeshwara Swamigalu. At the age of ten he was given a book to read by his guru Sree Sree Phalar Swamigalu that influenced him to go into seclusion. He also engaged in prayers, totally involved in worshiping Shiva and meditation at Siddanabetta Caves.

He was born in c1860 to the couple "Gatteppa-Marulasiddamma" of Lakkur Village, of Nelamangala Taluk. He was the youngest of the family with five elder brothers and four sisters. His foster name was Rudrappa. His father was head of the village and was Farmer by profession. His childhood was spent in looking after his herd and wandering with his friends in Siddanabetta and the nearby Shivaganga. Though he was sent to Kooli Math for schooling, he often spent his time in Siddanabetta and watched surroundings with curiosity which made a lasting impact on him. He could not continue schooling but was adequately literate to read and write and by birth had attained greatness and destined to become the head of Sree Siddaganga Math one day.

One night he left the house dissociating all family ties and his mind drew him towards Siddaganga. In the early morning he met Sree Sree Atavees Swamiji on the threshold of Siddalingeshwara temple. He put his head on his feet and Sree Sree Swamiji enquired about his past. Rudrappa answered that he had come to live in the Math. He was told that living in Math is very strenuous, he has to put in hard work, like picking firewood from the hills, do work in the fields and so on. He agreed and began his service in Siddaganga Math, like cookig food for Sree Sree Atavee Swamiji and other work.

Rudrappa took the entire responsibility of the Math and that of Dasoha. Sree Atavee Swamiji decided in his mind that Rudrappa is the right person to continue his unfinished work. He named him after a sage of 1300 A.D. as Uddana Shivayogi and thus Ruddrappa became Sree Sree Uddana Shivayogi and began his miraculous and healing journey to shine as a brightest star of Sree Siddaganga Math. The sojourn of Sree Sree Uddana Shivayogiji started thus and many achievements of his time were recorded by people who knew him very closely. The story of Sree Uddana Shivayogiji in the work and in the wisdom and converting Sree Siddaganga Kshetra an abode for the poor to pursue their education without a worry for two square meals, and imbibing secularism in its mission, objects and functions would be written into volumes.