The followers of 12thcentury social reformer Basavanna, who believe him to be the founder of Lingayat religion, came out in large numbers for a mega procession in Dharwad on Friday as part of the Basava Samskruti Abhiayan which has now reached Dharwad district from Belagavi district.

Basava Ratha is being taken out from one district to another under the campaign being held to spread the message of Basavanna and also to mark the first anniversary of the declaration of him as cultural icon by the State government. The campaign is being held under the aegis of Lingayat Mathadhipatigala Okkuta, a federation of Lingayat seers.

A large number of people from different age groups from various localities of the twin cities and from various villages in the district, first congregated at Kadapa Maidan before beginning the procession.

Led by Basava Ratha and various seers, they marched towards Murugha Mutt holding religious flags and raising slogans in praise of Basavanna and other Vachanakaras of the 12th century, while some carried bundles of Vachana literature.

Various folk troupes, children and elders dressed as various Vachanakaras of the 12th century, including Basavanna, Akka Mahadevi, Allama Prabhu, and other Sharanas were part of the procession which reached its destination, Murugha Mutt. A group of women also sang various Vachanas in chorus all along the route of the procession.

Although a downpour in the evening acted as a deterrent, the participants stopped for a while and then took the Basava Ratha to the venue of the public function in which various religious heads and leaders took part.

Earlier in the day, an interactive session with students from various colleges on Vachana Literature was organised at KLE Society’s Sri Mrutyunjaya Arts and Commerce.

Various religious heads, including Sri Panditaradhya Shivacharya Swami, Sri Siddarama Swami of Tontadarya Mutt, Sri Nijagunanand Swami, Bhalkti Pattada Devaru, Sri Mallikarjun Swami of Murugha Mutt, and Lingayat scholars answered various questions of students.