A common man can rise to the top and stay in the public mind with many qualities such as achievement, good character, compassion, humanity, love, tolerance, peace, meditation, spirituality, secular attitude, opposition to superstitions, responsiveness to new challenges, friendliness, trust worthy, love of life, achievement, service and so on. Witness Roja Shanmugam our beloved Guruji of Shimoga a philanthropist imbibed with all these and many more qualities.

Sri Sri Roja Shanmugam Guruji, a spiritual leader and teacher has made immense contributions to the field of spirituality and social improvement. Guruji contributed immensely as a Poet, philanthropist, politician, Deputy governor for Lions club, founder and trustee for around 20+ Lord ayyappa temples , founder and pradhana guruswami at sarvajanika ayyappa temple, lyricist, ex director at family planning association of india, ex joint secretary at mandi merchants cooperative bank, ex secretary at john manroes football club. Guruji motto of “WE SERVE “ brought him immense fans as part of his social services activities at Lions Club.

Guruji’s well wishers included an exhaustive list including former Chief Minister Devaraj Urs , Virendra Patil, SM Krishna, KH Srinivas, Dharmasingh, K Kamaraj of Tamil Nadu, Bangarappa, Indira Gandhi, Thirukurar Muniswamy, SL Bhairappa, Doctor Rajkumar, Cricketer Chandrasekhar, Ophthalmologist Modi, famous poet Kuvempu, Shivaram Karanth, Parameshwar Bhatt among many many more.

Guruji contributed immensely in various fields covering music, literature, travel, environmental service, spirituality, in addition to publication of books in Kannada and Tamil literature.

Guruji graduated in MA & MPhil covering a unique subject of Gandhian Thoughts from Madurai Kamaraj University. Not only did he preach Gandhian principles but followed it meticulously. Ms. Sunita Krishnamurthy a veteran Sanskrit and Kannada writer , has published book titled “Sri Sri Roja Swamiji “ covering his life history and the numerous miracles surrounding Guruji.

Guruji had travelled to many places across the globe including United Kingdom , Canada, America, Germany, France among others and had deeply studied on the socio-economic and religious followed abroad.

He founded the Secular Married Welfare Association , encouraging inter caste marriages. His main aim being to abolish the existing caste discrimination, the program was presided by veteran Dr. Shivaram Karanth an Indian polymath, who was a novelist in Kannada language, playwright and an ecological conservationist.

Around 200 Songs penned by Roja Guruji are a huge hit even now and available in YouTube and other music sites.

Sri Sri Roja Shanmugam Guruji has a large following of Lord Ayyappa devotees who have benefited greatly from his teachings and guidance. Guruji himself took up Sabarimala yatra more than 55 times and encouraged lakhs of devotees to follow suit. Guruji had been the National President for Bharatiya ayyappa seva samaja and state president for Sabarimala ayappa seva samaj.

Guruji attained lotus feet in Aug'22 , but his teachings are carried forward by lakhs of devotees even now.

Government had recognised his contribution and honoured recently by naming a circle and a street in his name in Shimoga. Guruji final resting place is near a Ayyappa temple in Shimoga , where people from all walks of life visit with prayers in heart . The spirit of life and his preaching of "Love all , Forgive all , Think before you act" is still followed by millions of his devotees across the globe.