Mysore, July 14, 2013: The two-day Basava Jayanti celebrations got off to a colourful start here on Saturday.

It was organised by the Akhila Bharatiya Veerashaiva Mahasabha, Basava Balaga and Federation of Veerashaiva Associations. Minister for Cooperation H.S. Mahadeva Prasad underlined the relevance of Basaveshwara’s teachings and philosophy in the present times.

Today’s generation should imbibe the values preached by Basavanna to eliminate the scourge of caste inequality, he said.

Earlier, there was a procession of cultural troupes flagged off by Sri Shivaratri Deshikendra Swami of Suttur Math, Sri Chidananda Swami of Hosamutt and Sri Prashivamurthy Swami of Baradapura. They garlanded the statue of Basaveshwara and offered prayers to the Nandi Dhwaja.

Source: The Hindu, DT. July 14, 2013.