Basava Jayanthi
Source : PIB
GS I : Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, Literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times.

What is discussed under Basava Jayanthi ?

1. About Basava Jayanthi
2. About the Basaveshwara
3. His Teachings
4. About Ligayats

Why in News ?

PM speech on Birth anniversary of Lord Basaveshwara. 

Key Facts

Basava Jayanthi

• Basava Jayanthi is traditionally observed by the Lingayats and is observed as a holiday in the Indian state of Karnataka.
• Government of Maharashtra and Karnataka declared Government Holiday on Basava jayanti.
• On 14th November 2015 the Prime Minister of India inaugurated the statue of Basavanna at Lambeth in London.
• Basava Jayanthi marks the birthday of Basavanna, 12th-century poet-philosopher, and the founding saint of the Lingayat religion.
  • Basaveshwara was born in Bagevadi (of undivided Bijapur district in Karnataka) during 1131 AD.
  • Basava grew up in a Shaivite family.
  • He developed and inspired a new devotional movement named Virashaivas, a heroic workship of Shiva.

    

About Basaveswara

• In Kalyana, the Kalchuri king Bijjala (1157-1167, AD) appointed Basaveshwara as a karanika (Accountant) in the initial stage, in his court and later as the Prime minister.
• Basavanna who established spiritual democracy called Anubhava Mantapa in the 12th century in India.
  • It is an academy which included Lingayat mystics, saints, and philosophers.
  • It was the first and foremost Parliament of India or Anubhava Mantapa which is also called as the “FIRST PARLIAMENT CONCEPT OF THE WORLD”.
  • Citizens of welfare society (Sharanas) discussed the socialistic principles of a Democratic set up.
  • All these discussions of Sharanas were written in the form of Vachanas.
  • It is written in simple kannada language that everybody can understand. 
  • The Anubhava Mantapa is also called the Mahaamane.
• His major Socio-Economic Principles are
  • Kayaka or Divine work which means every individual of the society should take up the job of his choice and perform it with all sincerity.
  • Dasoha (Equal distribution) which upholds equal income for equal work.
    • • It gave practical solutions to all kind of problems mankind was suffering at that time.
• Basavanna’s practical approach and act of establishment of ‘Kalyana Rajya’ (Welfare state) brought a new status and position for all the citizens of the society, irrespective of class, caste, creed and sex.
• His triad consisted of guru (teacher), linga (personal symbol of Shiva) and jangama (constantly moving and learning).
• While Basava rejected rituals, he encouraged icons and symbols such as the wearing of Istalinga (necklace) of Rudraksha seeds or beads on parts of one body, apply Vibhuti as a constant reminder of one’s devotion and principles of faith.
• Basava’s life and ideas are narrated in a 13th-century sacred Telugu text, the Basava Purana.

Lingayats

• Lingayatism is a version of Shaivite religious tradition in India.
• Lingayats are spread across Karnataka, Maharashtra, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and other States.
• Its worship is centered on Hindu god Shiva as the universal god in the iconographic form of Ishtalinga.
• The adherents of this faith are known as Lingayats.
• Lingayatism was founded by the 12th-century philosopher and statesman Basava and spread by his followers, called Sharanas.
• One-sixth of the population of the state of Karnataka, or about 10 million people, were Veerashaiva Lingayat or of the tradition champione by Basava.

Note : 
In 2017 Community leaders submitted a memorandum. In the memorandum, they requested the government not to issue caste certificate as Veerashaiva Lingayat to Lingayat community members and recommend that the Union government recognise Lingayat as an independent religion.

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