Located in the Bidar district of Karnataka,
Basavakalyan has been a great pilgrimage center. The illustrious capital
of the Kalyani Chalukya dynasty from 1050 to 1195, Basavakalyan
witnessed a series of religious and cultural turbulence in the 12th
century.
The royal heritage notwithstanding, Basavakalyan is known more for
being the birthplace of Basaveshwara, a 12th Century scholar who fought
against castism and orthodoxy in Hinduism. Despite being born into a
Brahmin family in the Bijapur district of northern Karnataka and growing
up in a strict, religious household, Basaveshwara was a pioneer who
worked relentlessly to reform the inherent prejudices of Hinduism. He
rejected the Vedic religion based on Vedas, agamas, shastras, and
puranas.
Due to the noble work and philosophy of Basaveshwara, Basavakalyana
became a seat of learning and an abode of spiritual wisdom. Basavakalyan
is renowned for the saints who made the city their home: Basaveshwara,
Akka-Mahadevi, Channabasavanna, and Siddarama.
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