ಜಗಜ್ಯೋತಿ ಬಸವೇಶ್ವರ

ಶ್ರೀ ಜಗಜ್ಯೋತಿ ಬಸವೇಶ್ವರ ಎಂದೊಡನೆ, ಹಿಂದೂ ಧರ್ಮದಲ್ಲಿ ನಡೆದ ಕ್ರಾಂತಿಯ ಇನ್ನೊಂದು ಹೆಸರು ಎಂದೆನಿಸುತ್ತದೆ. 12ನೇ ಶತಮಾನದಲ್ಲಿಯೇ ಜಾತಿ-ಸಮಾಜದ ಕುರಿತು ಉನ್ನತ ವಿಚಾರ ಧಾರೆಗಳನ್ನು ಮಂಡಿಸಿದ ಮಹಾನುಭಾವ ಈ ಬಸವ. ಕೀಳು ಜಾತಿಯ ಜನರಿಗೆ ದೇವಸ್ಥಾನದಲ್ಲಿ ಪ್ರವೇಶವಿಲ್ಲ ಎಂದಿದ್ದಕ್ಕೆ, ತಮ್ಮ ದೇಹವನ್ನೇ ದೇಗುಲ ಮಾಡಿ ಸಣ್ಣ ಲಿಂಗವನ್ನು ಕೊರಳಲ್ಲಿ ಕಟ್ಟಿಕೊಂಡು ಪೂಜಿಸಲು ಹೇಳಿಕೊಟ್ಟು, ಅವರಿಗೆ ಜಂಗಮರೆಂದು ಕರೆದು ವೀರಶೈವ ಅಥವಾ ಲಿಂಗಾಯತ ಎಂಬ ಹೊಸ ಪದ್ಧತಿಗೆ ನಾಂದಿ ಹಾಡಿದ ಚೈತನ್ಯ ವ್ಯಕ್ತಿ! 

ಬಸವೇಶ್ವರರು 12 ನೇ ಶತಮಾನದಲ್ಲಿ, ಬಿಜಾಪುರ ಜಿಲ್ಲೆಯ, ಹುನಗುಂದ ತಾಲೂಕಿನ ಬಾಗೇವಾಡಿ ಎಂಬಲ್ಲಿ ಜನಿಸಿದರು. ಇವರ ತಂದೆ ಮಾದರಸ (ಮಾದರಾಜ) ಆ ಊರಿನ ಮುಖ್ಯಸ್ಥರಾಗಿದ್ದರು. ತಾಯಿ ಮಾದಲಾಂಬಿಕೆ. ಶೈವ ಬ್ರಾಹ್ಮಿನರಾದ ಇವರು ಶಿವನನ್ನು ಪೂಜಿಸುತ್ತಿದ್ದರು.ಆದ್ದರಿಂದ ಶಿವನ ವಾಹನವಾದ ಬಸವಣ್ಣನ ಹೆಸರನ್ನೇ ಮಗನಿಗೆ ಇಟ್ಟರು.

ಬಸವ ಕೃಷ್ಣ ಹಾಗೂ ಮಲಪ್ರಭಾ ನದಿಯ ದಡದಲ್ಲಿರುವ ಕೂಡಲಸಂಗಮದಲ್ಲೇ ಬೆಳೆದರು. ತಮ್ಮ ಬಾಲ್ಯದ 12 ವರ್ಷಗಳನ್ನು ಕೂಡಲಸಂಗಮದ ಹಿಂದೂ ದೇವಾಲಯವಾದ ಸಂಗಮೇಶ್ವರ ದೇವಾಲಯದಲ್ಲಿ  ವಿದ್ಯಾಭ್ಯಾಸ ಮಾಡುತ್ತ ಕಳೆದರು. ಜಾತವೇದ ಮುನಿ (ಈಶಾನ್ಯ ಗುರು) ಬಸವೇಶ್ವರರ ಗುರುಗಳಾಗಿದ್ದರು.

ಬಸವೇಶ್ವರರು ತಮ್ಮ ತಾಯಿಯ ಸಂಬಂಧಿಯಾದ ಗಂಗಾಂಬಿಕೆ ಮತ್ತು ಅವಳ ಸಖಿ ನೀಲಾಂಬಿಕೆಯನ್ನು ಮದುವೆಯಾದರು. ನಂತರ ಕಲ್ಯಾಣದಿಂದ ಆಳುತ್ತಿದ್ದ  ಕಲಚೂರಿ ರಾಜನಾದ ಬಿಜ್ಜಳನ ಆಸ್ಥಾನದಲ್ಲೇ ಲೆಕ್ಖಲಿಗನಾಗಿ ಸೇರಿಕೊಂಡರು. ರಾಜನ ಮಂತ್ರಿ ತೀರಿಕೊಂಡ ನಂತರ ರಾಜ ಆ ಸ್ಥಾನವನ್ನು ಬಸವೇಶ್ವರರು ಅಲಂಕರಿಸುವಂತೆ ಹೇಳಿ ಕಳುಹಿಸಿದ. ಅಲ್ಲದೆ ರಾಜ ಬಸವೇಶ್ವರರ ಸೋದರಿ ಪದ್ಮಾವತಿಯನ್ನು ಮದುವೆಯಾದ.

116 feet tall Basaveshwara at Gadag

ಮಂತ್ರಿಯಾದ ನಂತರ ಬಸವೇಶ್ವರರು ರಾಜ್ಯದ ಖಜಾನೆಯನ್ನು ಅನೇಕ ಒಳ್ಳೆಯ ಕಾರ್ಯಗಳಿಗೆ ಉಪಯೋಗಿಸತೊಡಗಿದರು. ಸಮಾಜದ ಪುನರ್ ರಚನೆ, ಶೈವ ಧರ್ಮಕ್ಕೆ ಸಂಬಂಧಿಸಿದಂತೆ ಧಾರ್ಮಿಕ ಚಳುವಳಿಗಳು, ಈ ಕಾರ್ಯಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ತೊಡಗಿರುವ ಜಂಗಮರ ಉದ್ಧಾರ ಮುಂತಾದ ಕಾರ್ಯಗಳು ಅದೇ ಸಮಯದಲ್ಲಿ ನಡೆದವು. ಅಲ್ಲದೆ ಪ್ರಸಿದ್ಧವಾದ, ನೂತನ ವಿಚಾರಧಾರೆಗಳನ್ನೊಳಗೊಂಡ ಅನುಭವ ಮಂಟಪ ಎಂಬ ಸಂಘವು ಆಗಲೇ ರಚನೆಯಾಯಿತು. ಇದು ದೂರ-ದೂರ ದೇಶದ, ರಾಜ್ಯದ ಬೇರೆ ಬೇರೆ ಜಾತಿಯ, ಹೆಣ್ಣು ಗಂಡು ಎಂಬ ಭೇದವಿಲ್ಲದೆ ಎಲ್ಲ ತರಹದ ಜನಗಳಿಗೆ ಒಂದು ಸಾರ್ವಜನಿಕ ವೇದಿಕೆಯಾಗಿತ್ತು. ಇಲ್ಲಿ ಎಲ್ಲ ತರಹದ ಜನರು ಬಂದು, ಆಧ್ಯಾತ್ಮಿಕ, ಆರ್ಥಿಕತೆ ಹಾಗೂ ಸಾಮಾಜಿಕ ಸಮಸ್ಯೆಗಳ ಕುರಿತು ತಮ್ಮ ವಿಚಾರಗಳನ್ನು ವ್ಯಕ್ತಪಡಿಸುತ್ತಿದ್ದರು. ಹಾಗೂ ಸಮಾಜದ ಏಳಿಗೆಯ ಕುರಿತು ವಿಚಾರ ಮಂಡನೆ ಮಾಡಿ, ಆಚರಣೆಗೆ ತರುವ ಕುರಿತು ಯೋಚಿಸುತ್ತಿದ್ದರು. ಅದಕ್ಕೆಂದೇ ಬಸವೇಶ್ವರರು ಹಾಗೂ ಅನುಭವ ಮಂಟಪದಲ್ಲಿ ಪಾಲ್ಗೊಂಡ ಎಷ್ಟೋ ಜಂಗಮರು ಅಲ್ಲಿಯ ಸ್ಥಳೀಯ ಭಾಷೆಯಲ್ಲೇ ಸಾಮಾನ್ಯ ಜನರಿಗೆ ಅರ್ಥವಾಗುವಂತೆ ವಚನಗಳ ರಚನೆ ಮಾಡಿ ಅವುಗಳನ್ನು ಜನರಿಗೆ ತಲುಪುವಂತೆ ಮಾಡಿದರು. ಆಗಿನ ಕಾಲದಲ್ಲಿ ಜಾತಿವಾದ ಪದ್ಧತಿಯನ್ನು ಖಂಡಿಸಲೆಂದೇ ಬಸವೇಶ್ವರರು ಲಿಂಗಾಯತ ಎನ್ನುವ ಮತ ಮಾಡಿ ಅದರಲ್ಲಿ ಲಿಂಗ ಪೂಜೆ ಮಾಡುವ ಯಾವುದೇ ವ್ಯಕ್ತಿ ಇರಬಹುದು ಅವನು ಶಿವನ ಕೃಪೆಗೆ ಪಾತ್ರನಾಗುತ್ತಾನೆ ಎಂದು ಎಲ್ಲ ಜಾತಿಯ ಜನರಿಗೂ ವ್ಯಕ್ತಿತ್ವ ರೂಪಿಸಿಕೊಳ್ಳಲು ಅವಕಾಶ ನೀಡಿದರು. ಜಾತಿವಾದವನ್ನು ಖಂಡಿಸಿ ಅಂತರ್ ಜಾತಿ ವಿವಾಹವನ್ನೂ ಕೂಡ ಮಾಡಿಸಿದರು. ಈ ಎಲ್ಲ ಕಾರಣಗಳಿಂದ ಸಮಾಜದಲ್ಲಿರುವ ಅಂಬಿಗ, ಕಮ್ಮಾರ, ಕುಂಬಾರ, ಚಮ್ಮಾರ ಮುಂತಾದ ಎಲ್ಲ ಜಾತಿಯ ಜನರಲ್ಲೂ ಬಸವೇಶ್ವರರಲ್ಲಿ ಪ್ರೀತಿ ಗೌರವ ಮೂಡಿತು. ಚಮ್ಮಾರ ಹರಳಯ್ಯನೆಂಬ ಶರಣ ಮತ್ತು ಅವನ ಹೆಂಡತಿ ಕಮಲಮ್ಮ ತಮ್ಮ ತೊಡೆಯ ಚರ್ಮದಿಂದ ಬಸವೇಶ್ವರರಿಗೆ ಪಾದರಕ್ಷಗಳನ್ನು ಮಾಡಿ ಅರ್ಪಿಸಲು ಹೋದದ್ದು, ಅವರು ಪಾದುಕೆಗಳನ್ನು ತಲೆಯಮೇಲಿಟ್ಟು ಶಿವಾರ್ಪಣೆ, ಇವುಗಳನ್ನು ನಾನು ಕಾಲಲ್ಲಿ ಮೆಟ್ಟಲಾರೆ ಎಂದು ಹೇಳಿ ಮರಳಿ ಕಳಿಸಿದ್ದು ನಾವು ಓದಿದ್ದೀವಿ. ಈ ರೀತಿ ಸಾಮಾಜಿಕ ಶಿಕ್ಷಣ ಹಾಗೂ ವಚನಗಳ ಮೂಲಕ ಆಗಿನ ಕಾಲದಲ್ಲೇ ಕ್ರಾಂತಿ ಎಬ್ಬಿಸಿದ ಬಸವೇಶ್ವರರು ಎಲ್ಲ ಉಚ್ಚ ಜಾತಿಯ ಜನರ ಕಣ್ನುಕೆಸರಾದರು. ಈ ಜನಗಳು ಬಸವೇಶ್ವರರ ವಿರುದ್ಧ ರಾಜನ ಕಿವಿ ತುಂಬಿದ ಮೇಲೆ,ಇದನ್ನು ತಿಳಿದ ಬಸವ ಮಂತ್ರಿ ಪಧವಿಗೆ ರಾಜೀನಾಮೆ ಕೊಟ್ಟು, ಕೂದಲ ಸಂಗಮಕ್ಕೆ ಸಾಗಿ ಅಲ್ಲೇ ಲಿಂಗೈಕ್ಕ್ಯರಾದರು.

108 feet tall Basava at Basava Kalyana

ಬಸವೇಶ್ವರರು ಬರೆದ ಕೆಲವು ವಚನಗಳು ಹೀಗಿವೆ;

ಹಾಲತೊರೆಗೆ ಬೆಲ್ಲದ ಕೆಸರು, ಸಕ್ಕರೆಯ ಮೊಳಲು 
ತವರಾಜದ ನೊರೆ ತೆರೆಯಂತೆ ಆದ್ಯರ ವಚನವಿರಲು
ಬೇರೆ ಬಾವಿ ತೋಡಿ ಉಪ್ಪ್ ನೀರ ನುಂಬುವನಿಧಿಯಂತೆ 
ಆಯಿತೆನ್ನಮತಿ ಕೂಡಲಸಂಗಮದೇವ |

ಸುಪ್ರಭಾತ ಸಮಯದಲ್ಲಿ ಅರ್ಥಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಲಿಂಗವ ನೆನೆದೊಡೆ 
ತಪ್ಪುವವು ಅಪಮೃತ್ಯು ಕಾಲ ಕರ್ಮಂಗಳಯ್ಯ 
ದೇವ ಪೂಜೆಯ ಮಾಟದುರಿತ ಬಂಧನದೂಟ 
ಶಂಭು ನಮ್ಮಯ ನೋಟ ಹಿಂಗದ ಕಣ್ಬೀಟ
ಸದಾ ಸನ್ನಿಹಿತನಾಗಿ ಶರಣೆಂಬುದು ನಂಬುದು 
ಜಂಗಮಾರ್ಚನೆಯ ಮಾಟ ಕೂಡಲಸಂಗನ ಕೂಟ |

ಉಳ್ಳವರು ಶಿವಾಲಯ ಮಾಡುವರಯ್ಯ 
ನಾನೇನು ಮಾಡಲಿ ಬಡವನಯ್ಯ 
ಎನ್ನ ಕಾಲೇ ಕಂಬ, ದೇಹವೇ ದೇಗುಲ 
ಶಿರವೇ ಹೊನ್ನ ಕಳಶವಯ್ಯ,
ಕೂಡಲಸಂಗಮದೇವ ಸ್ಥಾವರಕ್ಕಳಿವುಂಟು ಜಂಗಮಕ್ಕಳಿವಿಲ್ಲ |

ಜಗವ ಸುತ್ತಿರುವದು ನಿನ್ನಯ ಮಾಯೆ 
ನಿನ್ನ ಸುತ್ತಿರುವದು ಎನ್ನ ಮನ ನೋಡ 
ಕರಿಯೂ ಕನ್ನಡಿಯೊಳ್ ಅಡಗಿದಂತಯ್ಯಾ 
ನೀ ಎನ್ನೋಳಡಗಿದೆ ಕೂಡಲಸಂಗಮದೇವ |

ಹಂದಿಯೂ ಮದಕರಿಯು ಒಂದೇ ದಾರಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಸಂಧಿಸಿದೆಡೆ 
ಹಂದಿಗಂಜಿ ಮದಕರಿ ಕೆಲಕ್ಕೆ ಸಾರಿದೆಡೆ 
ಹಂದಿಗೆ ಕೇಸರಿಯಪ್ಪುದೆ ಕೂಡಲಸಂಗಮದೇವ |

Content contributed by Pushpa Prasad.
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Aikyasthala of Akka Nagamma, Basaveshwara, Gangambike and Neelambike

Akka Nagamma, Basaveshwara, Gangambike and Neelambike are few of the well known Shivasharana ~ a person who has surrendered to Lord Shiva. They are members of one family. Akka Nagamma is Basaveshwara's elder sister. Gangambike and Neelambike are Basaveshwara's elder and younger wives. These four noble persons had dedicated their lives to society's well being.

From a small age Basaveshwara was close to his sister Nagamma and she was a great influence over him. Also, Basaveshwara was an enlightened soul, from a young age he showed kindness to animals and the helpless. As he grew up he could not bear to see the pains and difficulties of the poor and downtrodden. He was sent to Kudala Sangama for education, where he spent many years and remained bonded to the place. Basaveshwara served as a minister in King Bijjala's court at Kalyana in present day's Bidar district. He initiated a social revolution to fight the injustice meted out the so called upper caste people to the lower caste people in a non-violent way. Basaveshwara preached and practiced a way of life which can be described in two Kannada words 'Kayakave Kailasa' - this short saying roughly translates to 'Work is Worship' but has a deeper meaning. He said that one perform their duties in a selfless manner i.e. work with dedication and accept the outcome as it is, be it favorable or unfavorable. He was equally dedicated to his official duty as a minister and personal endeavor to bring in social equality. His family members supported him completely and played an active role in the revolution. As a part of their practice Shivasharanas composed Vachanas - short poems in simple language carrying a moral. The movement showed positive changes and gained popularity.

Every good change has to face opposition, so was the case at Kalyana. Some prominent characters of the upper caste stirred up trouble by falsely accusing Basaveshwara of misusing state funds for personal use. Basaveshwara disproved the allegations and regained the king's confidence. But the seeds of doubt were sown. The last straw was to accuse Basaveshwara of conspiring to usurp the throne to which his reaction was resigning from the minister-ship. After formally bidding bye to the king, he left Kalyana and moved to Kudala Sangama. At Kalyana the situation changed drastically, King Bijjala is assasinated and Shivasharanas are blamed and harassed. Many Shivasharanas leave Kalyana and move southwards carrying their Vachana collection. Shivasharanas were peaceful but were trained in martial arts to defend themselves. The harassment did not stop, Bijjala's army went after the fleeing Shivasharanas and battles ensued. The main battle was near Kadrolli on the banks of river Malaprabha (present day Belgaum district) was won by Shivasharanas. Having lost, the king's soldiers give up and return to Kalyana.

Shivasharanas continue their journey southward, some succumb to their injuries on the way. Gangambike attains Aikya on the banks of river Malaprabha. It is said that a group led by Akka Nagamma and her son Channabasaveshwara to Dharwad and stay at Ulavi Basaveshwara Gudi for few days. Then Channabasaveshwara goes to Ulavi, deep in the jungles of Western Ghats. Akka Nagamma continues to travel south and her journey ends near present day Tarikeri. The place where she attains is called Yenne Hole meaning stream of oil. While all these happen, Basaveshwara has attained Aikya at Kudala Sangama. Not much is known about how Neelambike reaches her resting spot on the left bank of river Krishna near Tangadgi. All this happened 800 years back and their services are still remembered, their Vachanas still popular. Long live their names.

During early 80s, 90s and 2000s Karnataka government took steps to conserve the Aikyasthala of Basaveshwara, Gangambike and Neelambike. However, nothing had been done at Akka Nagamma's Aikyasthala until March-2014. So, here are the four spots.

Akka Nagamma's Aikyasthala at Yenne Hole, Tarikere, Chikmagalur District

Basaveshwara's Aikyasthala at Kudala Sangama - the confluence of rivers Malaprabha and Krishna, Bagalkot District. These are the waters of Basava Sagar, the reservoir of Narayanpur dam across river Krishna.

Basaveshwara's Aikya Mantapa in 1959

Gangambike's Aikyasthala in river Malaprabha, Belgaum district. This spot is off the national highway, about 43 kms from Dharwad & 35 kms from Belgaum.

Neelambike Aikyasthala on the left bank of river Krishna, in the waters of Basava Sagar, about 2 kms from Tangadgi village in Bijapur district. This spot is about 4 kms from Kudala Sangama on the right bank.

To see more pictures of these places, check out the individual posts on them, here are the links-

• Akka Nagamma's Aikyasthala

• Basaveshwara's Aikyasthala

• Gangambike's Aikyasthala

• Neelambike Aikyasthala

If you want to know about Basaveshwara's birthplace and a 108 feet statue at Basava Kalyana. This is the same Kalyana where he served as a minister during Bijjala's rule. Here are the links-

• Basava Smaraka at Basavana Bagewadi

• 108 feet statue of Basavanna near Basava Kalyana

Also, here's a link to two other related spots-

• Dohara Kakkayya Aikyasthala near Kakkeri, Belgaum district.

• Ulavi Basaveshwara Gudi, Dharwad. This is the temple where the Shivasharana group had camped here after the battle of Kadrolli to celebrate their victory.

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Basava Smaraka, Basavana Bagewadi

The three most important places connected with life of Vishwa Guru Basavanna are-

• Bagewadi - place of birth, affectionately called Basavana Bagewadi
• Kudala Sangama - place of spiritual education and last days
• Kalyana - where Basavanna served as a minister and started the social revolution, now called Basava Kalyana

I'd visited Kalyana and Kudala Sangama almost two decades ago but somehow my travels never went through Bagewadi. My maternal uncles has told that Basava's descendents lived there and his house still existed.

Jan 29, 2016
Finally the day arrived. I and Pushpa drove to Bagewadi after a short visit to Muddebihal to check out its fort ruins. It was around 2 PM when we arrived at Bagewadi. First thing we found a Lingayath Khanawali and had Jolada Rotti Oota and then headed towards Basava's birthplace. I was hoping to see an ancient house but what I saw a modern structure. Government has replaced the ancient house with a modern memorial. How disappointing! Anyway.. since we are here, might as well see what's inside.

Basava Smaraka's dome towers over its locality. As per legends, this locality was known as Agrahara, place where Brahmin families resided. It is said that Madiraja was headman of Bagewadi then. Bagewadi was also known as Ingaleshwara Bagewadi then.

The care-taker was away for lunch time. A short wait and the young care-taker arrived and open up the gates and doors. So this building was inaugurated on May 16 2010 by Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa. I asked the care-taker if there were any photographs of the original house. Answer was no :( At least the authorities can display one photo.

Inside its one single hall with a collection of statues of bronze and wall reliefs made of   wood, glass and granite. There works of art depict important moments of Basavan's life. The central item being the collection of 3 life-size statues of Guru Jatavedamuni, mother Madambike with infant Basava and father Madiraja. This is the happy moment after Guru Jatavedamuni awakens the infant from its sleep since the day of its birth. The parents are relieved to know their child was neither blind nor mute.

Around the hall are wall reliefs. Going in chronological order.

Mother Madalambika showing infant Basava in presence of his father Madiraja to their family Guru who is seen blessing the new born at their home which existed at this site. As per historic-legendary evidence Lord Basava was born on the most auspicious day of Akshaya Tritiya (the third day in the light fortnight of the Hindu month of Vaishakh).

Young Basava refusing to participate in Upanayana ceremony. His thinking was different. he believed in kindness to fellow creatures rather than follow customs and traditions blindly.

Young boy Basava  rushing towards Kundala Sangama with his sister Nagamma and her husband Shivadeva.

Guru Jatadevamuni initiating Basava's spiritual training at Sangameshwara Devastana.

Guru Jatadevamuni imparting knowledge to Basava in Akka Nagamma and Shivadeva's presence.

Basaveshwara composing and recording Vachanas.

Here's the care-taker, a knowledgeable young man. He could recite many Vachana's and quite formal in his speech, pure Kannada, no English words mixed.

While at Bagewadi, make sure to visit Basaveshwara Devalaya too.

Here are four places connected to Basaveshwara's close relatives, his two wives, sister and nephew-

• Gangambike Aikyasthala near Kittur
• Neelambike Aikyasthala near Kudala Sangama
• Akka Nagamma Aikyastala near Tarikere
• Channabasaveshwara Aikyasthala at Ulavi

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108 feet statue of Basaveshwara, Basava Kalyana

During my previous trip to Basava Kalyana i.e. Dec 2010, I remember someone mentioning construction of a gigantic statue of Basaveshwara.

October 4, 2014
Our day started with Humnabad followed by Hanakuni fort, Kalmeshwar temple at Jalasanghi and Uma-Mashehswara temples at Umapur. The day was pretty warm as we arrived at Basava Kalyana cross. About 3 kms from the cross is a hillock on the right hand side with the 108' tall statue of Jagatjyoti Basaveshwara.

The statue is within the premises of a Matae Mahadevi's organization for spiritual development. Below the statue is a meditation chamber. Construction work is still in progress, there's a long way to go before it gets completed.

This is the stairway on the hillock slope. At every stage are statues of Shiva Sharanas. The place is designed to create awareness of Lingayath philosophy.

view from the hillock's base

Basaveshwara's sister Shiva Sharanae Akka Nagamma

Shiva Sharana Madiwala Machayya

The place is made for tourists. A set of life size statues depicting XII century way of life here in Kalyana during Basaveshwara's time. It's called Sharana village; one can see people engaged in various professions like a merchant, carpenter, blacksmith, a physician, etc.

An artificial cave has been created and dedicated to Akka Mahadevi. This is on the hill. Similarly at the base of the hill is another cave dedicated to Basaveshwara.

This is the arch at Basaveshwara cross on the national highway.

We proceed towards Kalyana fort.. for some reason the gate was locked. Even the museum was closed. We proceed towards Bhatambra fort in Bhalki taluq.

PS: check out Basaveshwara memorial at Gadag.

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