Basava Jayanti Holiday 2023 (Sunday, 23rd April 2023)
Basava Jayanti marks the birth anniversary of Basavanna, a social reformer, saint, and religious teacher from the 12th century. It is a regional festival celebrated by Lingayats, majorly in Karnataka, Telangana, and other south Indian states. As per the Hindu calendar, the birthday of Lord Basaveshwa usually falls on the third day of the Vaisakha month.
The following sections will tell you everything you need to know about this Hindu festival.
| Basava Jayanti 2023 Date | 23 April 2023 |
| Day | Sunday |
| Significance | This festival is celebrated as the commencement of a new age known as the Basavanna era or the Basaveshwar era. |
| Also Called As | It is also known as Basavanna Jayanti or Basaveshwar Jayanti. |
When is Basava Jayanti 2023 – Basava Jayanti Date
Basava Jayanti is a regional government holiday in the state of Karnataka. It falls on the third day of Shukla Paksha (18th day) in the month of Vaisakha of the Samvatsara (Anandanama). As per the English calendar, the Basava Jayanti 2023 will be celebrated on 23 April, Sunday. In 2023 it will be the 890th birth anniversary of the revered social reformer.
Places Where Basava Jayanti is Celebrated
Even though Basava Jayanti is a Hindu festival commemorating Lord Basaveshwara’s birth anniversary, it is widely observed in India by people of all creeds and communities. However, this festival is mostly celebrated in Basaveshwara temples located in Karnataka. So, if you want to witness this wonderful festival, you can pay a visit to various Basaveshwara temples. The following locations have Basaveshwara temples where you can fully experience the vibrant festival:
- Kavanapura
- Bengaluru
- Kuratti Hosuru
- Gulbarga
- Gudigattanahalli
- Kuratti Hosuru
- Kodi Halli
- Kempanaplaya
- Mallehalli
- Vanakanahalli
- Thippasandra
- Ibasapura
- Kamblipura
- Ganagalur
- Madavara
- Kemmale
- Thippur
These towns and cities are all located in Karnataka. However, Krishnagiri temple in Tamil Nadu is another place where you can observe the festival with authentic rituals.
How is Basava Jayanti Celebrated?
Basaveshwar Jayanti is celebrated with joy and glee primarily by Lingayats in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Telangana. During this day, people visit the nearest temple, Lord Basaveshwar temple, to offer their prayers and the Lingayat committees organise various events to celebrate this significant day, and exchange greetings and sweets.
In honour of Basavanna’s life and teachings, lectures are communicated in the prayer halls. Many devotees prefer to visit Kudalasangama, which holds a number of spiritual and cultural events and celebrates Basava Jayanti for six to seven days.
This regional holiday also sees colourful parades in Karnataka’s major cities, during which Basavanna portraits are carried through the streets. People also organise small seminars, recalling his teachings. Additionally, a flag is hoisted at Basaveshwara Statue in Jagat Circle of Kalaburgi, Karnataka, followed by parades. The celebration involves joy, glee and splendour and usually lasts for three days.
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Why is Basava Jayanti Celebrated?
Basava Jayanti is observed to mark the birth anniversary of Saint Basaveshwara. In the Kalachuri dynasty, he was promoted from the royal accountant to prime minister due to his sharp mind. However, he resigned from his position due to inequality and casteism. He believed in a society devoid of caste distinctions and providing equal opportunities to individuals.
Additionally, he established the Anubhava Mantapa, whose literal meaning is “the forum of experiences”. It is the first religious parliament in the world and an academy of Lingayat saints, mystics and philosophers. These philosophers and academicians would gather to discuss life experiences and lessons. The celebration of Basava Jayanti aims to incorporate Lord Basavanna’s teachings on compassion, equality, and universal brotherhood.
Basava Jayanti Background
The Lingayats in the Indian state of Karnataka traditionally observe Basava Jayanti. In southern India, the Lingayats are a large Hindu sect that worships Shiva as the only deity. Basavanna was born in 1105 CE in the northern part of Karnataka to a Kannada family devoted to the Hindu deity Shiva. Then he was raised in Kudalasangama and married the prime minister’s daughter.
As the royal treasury administrator, Basavanna helped spread the Lingayat sect and distributed funds to Lingayat guilds. As per his beliefs, every human is equal regardless of caste and creed. He introduced the Ishtalinga necklace, rejecting gender or social prejudice. He founded Anubhava Mantapa while serving as chief minister of Bijjal’s kingdom. Over time this organisation grew to serve as a shared space where members of all social classes could openly discuss spiritual issues of life.
Several important Lingayat works include Shat-sthala-vachana, Mantra-gopya, Kala-jnana-vachana, Raja-yoga-vachana and many more. All these vachanas propagate values of social awareness, and universal brotherhood and aim at equality in society.
Therefore with Lord Basavanna’s birth, a new era evolved, known as the Basava Era in his honour.
About Basavanna
Basavanna is considered the founder of Lingayatism, Veerashaivism or Lingayat Sect. He was a great social reformer, poet and philosopher who brought about significant social shifts in Karnataka and surrounding regions around 900 years ago.
Basavanna was a true humanist who fought against evils that entered the Brahmanic Vedic tradition and stood up for the improvement of exploited individuals. He preached that Shiva is the only Supreme Being, and all living and nonliving things are equally worth to the Supreme Being.
His poetry drew millions of people towards his teachings and philosophy. This brought a universal appeal and eternal value. In the 12th century, social justice and gender equality were ignored in the majority parts of the world. In this regard, his teachings enriched the grassroots of Kannada society.
Final Word
Lord Basavanna’s teachings on equality and spiritual democracy, brotherhood, and peace are essential in every day and era. And so, Basava Jayanti is not just limited to the celebrations of Hindus but is celebrated by the community as a whole.
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FAQs
Basavanna was born in 1105 CE in the northern part of Karnataka in Basavana Bagewadi. He was raised by a Kannada family, devotees of the Hindu deity, Lord Shiva.
Basava Jayanti is a Hindu festival that marks the birth anniversary of the great poet, philosopher, and revolutionary saint Basaveshwara. This festival is majorly celebrated among the Lingayat community.
Basavanna, or Basaveshwara, established the spiritual institution known as Anubhava Mantapa, located at Basavakalyan in the Bidar district. It was the centre for discussions about social, religious and economic issues without any discrimination of gender or caste.
Basavanna made significant contributions to developing the sharana community. This produced great social reformers and poets like Allam Prabhu and Akka Mahadevi. His teachings and beliefs attempted to change society. With his profound social knowledge and poetry, he fought against the malpractices of society. Also, Basavanna is the first Kannadiga to have a commemorative coin in recognition of his social reforms.
The philosophy of Basavanna and his followers was typically based on simple human qualities, and they rejected various customs and practices deeply rooted within the Vedic religion.
