Mysore, July 13, 2013: More than 1,500 people, accompanied by cultural troupes, this morning took out a colourful procession from JSS Mahavidyapeetha Circle to Kalamandira on Hunsur road to mark the beginning of the two-day Basava Jayanthi celebrations organised by Akhila Bharatha Veerashaiva Mahasabha in association with Basava Balagas and Federation of Veerashaiva Associations.

Suttur Seer Sri Shivarathri Deshikendra Swamiji, Hosamutt Seer Sri Chidananda Swamiji and Sri Parashivamurthy Swamiji of Baradapura garlanded the statue of Lord Basaveshwara at the Circle before performing pooja to Nandi Dhwaja to mark the beginning of the procession.

The procession, which began from the Vidyapeetha Circle, passed through Sayyaji Rao Road, Devaraj Urs Road, JLB Road and Vinoba Road to culminate at Kalamandira where a formal function and cultural programmes have been organised.

ZP President K.P. Siddaveerappa and Mymul President N. Mahadevappa were among those who took part in the procession which included dollu kunitha, kamsale, veeragase, puja kunitha and other traditional folk art forms.

The stage programme at Kalamandira was inaugurated by Cooperation Minister H.S. Mahadevaprasad in the presence of Suttur Seer Sri Shivarathri Deshikendra Swamiji.

Speaking on the occasion, Mahadevaprasad said that the ideologies and preachings of 12th century saint Basavanna holds good even to this day and they must be inculcated in the day to day life by people of all communities in order to remove caste differences in the society.

Praising the State budget presented by Chief Minister Siddharamaiah yesterday, Mahadevaprasad said that it was based on Basavanna’s teaching of giving importance to people from all walks of life and all classes of the society.

District In-Charge Minister V. Sreenivasa Prasad, MLAs M.K. Somashekhar, Tanveer Sait and Vasu and others were present.

The celebrations on July 14 (Sunday) will mainly feature programmes by children and women. Senior IAS officer C. Somashekar will deliver the valedictory address at 4.30 pm in the presence of Murugharajendra Mutt Seer Sri Mallikarjuna Murugharajendra Swamiji and former Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa.

Journalist Rajasekhar Koti will distribute equipment to the physically challenged persons.

Source: Star of Mysore, July 13, 2013.