A grand procession of Vachana Vijayotsava marks Basavotsava in Bidar

Devotees carrying Vachanas during the grand Vachana Vijayotsava procession organized as part of Basavotsava and the second Akka Annapurnatai commemoration ceremony in Bidar on Sunday. | Photo credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

A grand Vachana Vijayotsava procession was held in Bidar on Sunday as part of Basavotsava and the second Akka Annapurnatai commemoration ceremony.

The procession started from Basava Udyana in Shivnagar and passed through Papanash Gate and Papanash Temple before culminating at Akka Annapurnatai’s Aikya Mantapa in Basavagiri.

The city witnessed a festive atmosphere with Shatsthala flags fluttering across the route while decorative umbrellas and chamara added color to the procession.

Devotees raised slogans extolling the Basava philosophy as Basavotsava and Vachana Vijayotsava songs played on the DJ systems.

Youth, Sharanas and Sharane devotees enthusiastically danced and marched during the procession.

At Basava Udyana, procession committee president Rajkumar Patil, Abhishek Mathapati and Hannmu Paji performed guru puja rituals.

Ayyar Mathapati of Sharana Vichara Vahini, Belagavi started the procession by reciting Vachanas.

Lingayat Maha Math seer Prabhudeva Swamiji carried a large copy of the Lingayat religious text Guruvachan on his head during the procession, while several devotees carried Vachana literature with devotion and reverence.

Participants recalled how Sharanas in the 12th century protected Vachana literature in the Ulavi forests and symbolically recreated this spirit during processions.

Meanwhile, Siddarama Sharana Beldale of Basavayogashrama, Koutha (B), speaking at a memorial program held later in the evening at Basavagiri, said that Akka Annapurnatai introduced Bidar to the world through her contribution to Basava philosophy and vachana literature.

Prabhudeva Swamiji presided over the program and described Akku Annapurnatai as a high spiritual personality who dedicated her life to spreading Basava philosophy and caring for devotees. He said efforts would be made to publish all her literary works by next year.

Kannada Sahitya Parishat District President Suresh Chanashetty, Jagatika Lingayat Mahasabha District President Basavaraj Dhannur, former Zilla Panchayat Vice President Neelamma Rugan and Shanta Jayaraj Khandre recalled the contributions of Akka Annapurnatai and her role in promoting the Basava ideology.

A special theatrical presentation on the life of Akka Annapurnatai caught the attention of the gathering.

Basava Siddarama National Awardees Sharana Beldale and Basava Jayanti Utsava Samiti President Rajaneesh Wali were felicitated on the occasion.

Jagadguru Siddarama Swamiji of Basava Maha Mane, Basavakalyan, Yalavanta Sharana of Koppal and several writers, religious leaders and devotees participated in the programme.

Published – 24 May 2026 21:55 IST