Shishuvinahal: CM’s will triggers unprecedented tourism potential

Shishuvinahal or Shishunal of Shiggavi Taluk in the Haveri district is a sought-after place for pilgrims of Sant Shishuvinahal Sharif and his spiritual guru, Guru Govinda Bhatta. Shishunal Sharif is well known as a saint-poet, philosopher and social reformer while his philosophical verses have touched the hearts of admirers not only within the country but elsewhere also. Just like the revered Shri Shirdi Sai Baba, philosophical poet Sant Kabir, Sant Shishunal Sharif happens to be a rare gem going beyond the narrow limitations of caste, region and religion in spreading the significance of humanitarian values in one’s life.

Miracles from childhood days: He was born on 03 July 1819 in Shishuvinahala village of the undivided Dharwad district and happened to be the only son and it is said that he was born late to his parents. Interestingly he bid adieu to the mortal life on 03 July. According to the local legend he is said to have been conceived as a result of divine blessings from the almighty. There are a series of miracles according to the local people in Sant Shishunal Sharif’s life right from his childhood days. A bright student after completing formal education took up an assignment of a school teacher. But even, that was a short-lived career as philosophical thoughts started haunting him so soon in life. It was during this stage, that he came in contact with Shri Kalasada Guru Govinda Bhatta who transformed him into his philosophical advisor. Their relationship went beyond the guru and pupil stance leading them to great heights in the supernatural world.

Reverence beyond one’s caste, region and religion: Sant Shisunal Sharif lived in an era devoid of synonyms like communal, religious and national harmony. Despite being born a Muslim, such a background was no hindrance for him to study, understanding and develop a mastery over the Hindu faith. He was said to be an instant poet for singing mystical poems as and when the incidents unfolded. Interestingly, he never made a note of them in writing yet they continue to date by spreading amongst people from one another. Though for name sake the Guru-disciple duo remained Muslim-Brahmin, both continue to be revered in large numbers more by people belonging to other castes, regions and religions rather than their own!

SR Bommai walked for two kilometres in search of water: “The Sharif Shivayogi and Guru Govinda Shivayogi Panchagni Mutt Trust came into being in 1956 and it commenced imparting education to children studying in the 8th, 9th and10th standards from 1960 onwards. Gruel prepared from the Jowar grain donated by the nearby villagers happened to be the staple food for the residential school hostel inmates. Dr SK Betaduru, a local doctor by profession was the Trust chairman while SR Bommai, lawyer and leader in making was the vice-chairman. SR Bommai later went on to become a prominent opposition MLA, MLC, Rajya Sabha MP, Leader of the opposition, Chief Minister, Union Human Resources Minister and National President of the Janata Dal.

…There was a grave problem with drinking water for the school students. Office bearers of the Trust committee were literally perplexed but had no other go rather than finding a viable solution. SR Bommai literally walked down for about two kilometres with others in search of a water source. Finally, they found one in the fields of a gentleman called Shibargatti. The peasant was so humble that he parted away with four guntas of his fields to quench the thirst of students. It was a period when drilling a bore well was unheard of to get water from underground. About 4,000 villagers from nearby villages had gathered just to watch the functioning of the drilling machine. The two kilometres pipeline from the bore well to the school still exists recalls Chambanna Betaduru, Director of the Sharif Shivayogi and Guru Govinda Shivayogi Panchagni Mutt Trust.

Father’s dreams come true during son’s regime: Chambanna Betaduru recollects, “SR Bommai, the late father of the present Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, had drawn several programs for the development of Shishuvinahal pilgrimage centre. He also strived enough for the same. Once, during a tour abroad he noticed a prayer hall in some country and was very much impressed by the structure. Back home, he dreamt of a similar building in Shishunal and managed to raise contributions to the extent of Rs 10,000/- during the early seventies. Sri Siddeshwara Swamiji of Vijayapura also did the honour of laying the foundation stone. However, the hall for prayer continued to remain a distant dream during his lifetime…

…Thanks to the political acumen, sheer will and determination of Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, all his father’s dreams have come true. A prayer hall as per the blueprint of the former chief minister has come up on the Mutt premises. A museum giving a glimpse of Sant Shishunal Sharif’s life, miracles and messages has also made way with many paintings”.

CM BS Bommai changes the destiny of Shishunal: Probably Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai’s vision has transformed the very outlook, development and tourism destiny of Shishunal. Earlier, Shishunal was part of the Kundagol Assembly constituency while it was an integral part of the Shiggavi Taluk. Hence Kundagol MLAs’ over a period of time hardly bothered about the development. Likewise, Shiggavi MLAs were least interested as it was not a part of the Shiggavi Assembly constituency. Even in this aspect, right from the beginning of his political innings, Basavaraj Bommai as an MLC initially and later as an MLA and Minister multiple times ensured that the injustice meted out to Shishunal was rid. Now, Shishunal is in both, the Shiggavi Assembly constituency along with being in the same Taluk.

BS Yediyurappa releases Six crores: BS Yediyurappa as a Chief Minister had released Rs Six crores for the renovation of the Samadhi, Four crores for depicting the life history, while G Janardhan Reddy had released Rs Two crores for building a Yatri Nivas consisting of 36 rooms during his stint as a Tourism Minister. SM Jamdar, former Revenue Secretary and architect of Almatti as a tourist site apart from many other distinguished projects of the state was also instrumental in many milestones of developments in Shishunal. He had drawn up a master plan for the overall development of Shishunal including the renovation of Samadhi, heightening of the platform, free meals hall, and park among many a other. The free dining hall and park are yet to be realized.

Tourism development projects galore: Thanks to the magnanimity of Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, a number of tourism development projects have been launched. A building for religious discourses with a multipurpose utility like a marriage hall at a cost of Rs 2.5 crores is underway. Another Rs Two crores have been sanctioned on behalf of the Tourism Department for developing infrastructure like double road, parking facilities etc.

Demand for more aid, strength and infrastructure: The state government extends financial aid to the tune of Rs 3.60 lakhs to the free residential hostel run by the Trust while the government runs a hostel accommodating 200 students. The goodwill generated by both these institutions has given a rise to greater demand contrary to the seats available from students of neighbouring taluks and districts. As a result, there has been an impending demand to increase the quota of intake, classrooms, hostel rooms, faculty and infrastructure in a big way. Hopefully, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai will continue to remain open-hearted in meeting the genuine aspirations as the Trust Directors become unequivocal in declaring-“Whatever developments you are seeing today in Shishunal are only the result of foresightedness of our beloved leader Basavaraj Bommai, even much before becoming a Minister or Chief Minister”.

CM BSY persuades nonagenarian to continue: Apart from being grateful to the Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai for whatever development has taken place in Shishunal, the villagers are equally happy about the contribution of nonagenarian Sreenivasrao Deshpande, Chairman of the Sharif Shivayogi and Guru Govinda Shivayogi Panchagni Mutt Trust. A much-respected personality of the Hubballi-based Deshpande Foundation is well known for his liberal philanthropic deeds. Now running 98, Sreenivasrao Deshpande, gave a try to excuse him from the activities citing his advanced age but the Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai was successful enough in persuading him to continue for a lifetime.

New Tourist circuit in the offing: Again, thanks to the visionary Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, a new Tourist circuit covering five destinations within a radius of 25 kilometres is on the way. The ambitious plan is to reach Mukti Mandir, Kalasa, Shishunal, Karadagi and Baad. All are pilgrimage spots including Baad which happens to be the birthplace of another religious stalwart, saint, poet and philosopher Sant Kanakadasa.

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-Manohar Yadavatti