Lingayat Seers Unite for Statewide Basava Culture Abhiyan, Grand Finale in Bengaluru
Bengaluru: In a significant display of religious and cultural mobilization, the Lingayat Mutt Adhyaksha Okkuta (Association of Lingayat Mutt Seers) is set to launch a month-long “Basava Culture Abhiyan” (Campaign) across Karnataka. The campaign, aimed at promoting the teachings and ideals of 12th-century social reformer Saint Basavanna, will commence on September 1st and culminate in a massive grand finale at the city’s Palace Grounds on October 5th.
The announcement was made following a high-level strategic meeting between the seers and Karnataka’s Minister for Large and Major Industries, M.B. Patil, at his official residence on Wednesday.
Strategic Planning with State Leadership
The meeting, which served as a second round of consultations, focused on finalizing the roadmap for the extensive campaign. Prominent seers from various influential mutts across the state were present to discuss the event’s format and logistical preparations with the minister, ensuring state-level coordination and support.
Minister Patil, addressing the media after the conclave, outlined the campaign’s trajectory. “The abhiyan will be launched from Basavanna’s birthplace, Basavana Bagewadi, on September 1st. As part of this initiative, programs will be held in every district headquarters of the state. A grand finale will be held in Bengaluru on October 5th,” he stated.
He further confirmed that dignitaries, including Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, will be invited to the culminating event, which is expected to draw thousands of devotees from across Karnataka.
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A Gathering of Prominent Spiritual Leaders
The strategic meeting underscored the collective effort behind the initiative. It was attended by a host of influential spiritual figures, including:
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His Holiness Sri Siddharama Mahaswamiji of Gadag’s Tontadarya Samsthan Mutt
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His Holiness Sri Panditaradhya Shivacharya Swamiji of Sanehalli Mutt
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His Holiness Sri Basavalinga Pattadevaru of Bhalki’s Hiremath Samsthan
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His Holiness Allama Prabhu Swamiji of Naganur Rudrakshi Mutt
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Sri Basava Yogi Swamiji of Basava Dharma Peetha
Adding administrative heft to the planning, retired IAS officers S.M. Jamadar and Dr. C. Somashekar were also present at the meeting.
Context and Analysis: Reviving Basavanna’s Ideals
The large-scale campaign is more than a religious event; it is a cultural movement aimed at reaffirming the relevance of Basavanna’s revolutionary principles. Saint Basavanna was a visionary who championed social democracy, gender equality, and rational thinking through his Vachanas (prose poems). He vehemently opposed caste discrimination and ritualistic practices.
This abhiyan, led by the united front of major mutts, seeks to propagate these timeless values, especially among the youth. The choice of a month-long, state-wide tour culminating in the capital city indicates a structured effort to create maximum impact and engagement, highlighting the continued social and political influence of the Lingayat community in Karnataka.
