Basava Jayanthi is the birthday of a Hindu Kannada poet of the 12th century Basavanna. This is celebrated by the Lingayats and the poet who is a philosopher is believed to be the founding saint of the Lingayat section.
Basava Jayanthi is marked on May 7 and it witnesses many events across the states like Karnataka, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh. In Karnataka, Basava Jayanthi is a government holiday.
Basavanna was a staunch follower of Shiva and is believed to have born on the third day of Vaisakha month of the Anandanama in the year 1134 A.D.
As per the believers, with the birth of the prophet Basavanna, a new era began. The year as Basava Era or Basaveshwar Era.
According to scriptures, Basavanna was born on March 20, 1134. Hence in the Pachangas, Basava Era count from Basava birth onwards in 2012.
On this day, people visit Lord Basaveshwar temples on this day to offer prayers. Lingayat committees organize various events to celebrate the day and people exchange sweets and greetings on Basava Jayanti. Lectures on the life of Basavanna are held remembering the teachings of Basavanna. Many followers of Basavanna visit Kudalasangama where Basav Jayanti is celebrated for six to seven day. Several cultural and spiritual programs are also held on this day in Basavanna temples
Some of his teachings were translated to English, they were:
Don’t rob, Don’t kill, Never ever lie
Don’t get angry, Don’t think negative about others
Don’t self describe, Don’t tease others
This is the way of self-respect, this is the way to get respected by the world.
This is the way of impressing my lord Koodala sangama deva.
Basavanna was a great poet, social reformer and philosopher and spread awareness on social issues like gender and social prejudice.
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