Basava Jayanthi Observed in Karnataka

Basava Jayanthi- a religious event in Karnataka that is usually celebrated on a grand scale was held as a low-key event in light of the COVID-19 crisis.

Basava Jayanthi

Basava Jayanthi is a religious event observed in Karnataka- especially by the Lingayat community. The festival marks the birth anniversary of Basavanna, the founding saint of Lingayats. It is celebrated to promote the message of ‘universal brotherhood’ or ‘vasudhaiva kutumbakam’. Basava Jayanthi is a state holiday in Karnataka.

Basavanna

Basavanna was a 12th century saint and the founder of the Lingayat sect. He was a social reformer during the time of King Bijjala II of the Kalyani Chalukya Dynasty in Karnataka. He used his ‘vachanaas’ or poems to spread social messages.

Anubhava Mantapa

Anubhava Mantapa is one of the new public institutions introduced by Basavanna. Anubhava Mantapa, meaning ‘Hall of Spiritual Experience’, is a religious parliament which invited men and women from all walks of life- irrespective of socio-economic background- to discuss spiritual and other questions in life.


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