Kudalasangama

Kudalasangama (also written as Kudala Sangama) in India is an important center of pilgrimage for Lingayats. It is located about 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) from the Almatti Dam in Bagalkot district of Karnataka state. The Krishna and Malaprabha River rivers merge here and flow east towards Srisaila (another pilgrim center) Andhra Pradesh. The Aikya Mantapa or the holy Samādhi of Basavanna, the founder of the Lingayat sect of Hindu religion along with Linga, which is believed to be self-born (Swayambhu), is here. The Kudala Sangama Development Board[2] takes care of the maintenance and development.

KUDALA SANGAMA most historic place since around 800 years. The famous rivers Krishna and Ghataprabha merge here and flows towards Srisaila (another historic palce) of Andra Pradesh. To improve this historic place, Government has established a Kudala Sangama Development Board and provided nearly Rs. 45.00 Crores to develop this places has one of the most sought piligrim centre. Herewith we are showing some of the photo’s which shows most recently takenup works to improve the piligrim centre. Kudala Sangama is 15 Km’s from Almatti (Dam Site ) and 45 Km’s from Bagalkot.

Some Background.

Eight hundred years ago, there lived a couple by name’ Madarasa and Madalambike in a village called Bagewadi of Bijapur District, in Karnataka, (South India). They were very pious and deeply religious. There was a temple of Nandeesh- wara in that village. The husband and the wife were devotees of Nandeeshwara. Madalambike had a daughter named Nagamma and she was longing to have a son. She offered worship every day to God Shiva and prayed to Him to fulfill her desire. One day after performing the worship she sat in meditation. A jasmine flower, placed on the Shivalinga as an offering, fell into her lap. She took it with great devotion, pressed it gently to her eyes and then wore it in her hair. The whole day she was beside herself with joy and that night she had a dream: Shiva from Kailasa had sent Nandi, the bull on which he rode, to this world. Nandi came to the house of Madarasa and Madalambike. Then there was light everywhere.

The next morning Madalambike revealed this dream to Madarasa. He in turn reported it to the Guru, a spiritual guide of the village. The Guru told him that it was a good sign. The couple would have a worthy son; he would exalt the entire family. He would also uplift and enlighten the whole world. The couple felt very happy when they heard these words of prophecy.

In course of time Madalambike gave birth to a son. It was a charming baby. Its face shone with a brightness not of this world. The Guru then said: “By the grace of God Shiva, Nandi (also known as Vrishabha) himself has been born as your son. He will become a great man and will promote Dharma in the world. He will accomplish the welfare of the entire mankind. This indeed is your good fortune as also of this land. Name him as ‘Basava’.”

Basava became the revolutionary who taught that right conduct is heaven. He declared that engaging in work is itself Heaven and taught the ideals of simple living and the equality between men and women. People called him Anna (Big brother) because he practiced what he preached.

Some of Basavanna’s teachings are:

Do not steal, do not kill. Do not utter lies;
Do not lose temper; Do not detest others;
Do not glorify oneself; Do not blame others.
This alone is inside purity. This alone is outside purity ;
And this alone is the way to please our Lord Kudalasangama.

To win over God Basava suggests be pure both inside and outside the body. He also suggests ways to achieve purity.

These words of Basava are very simple. They contain thevery essence of all the moral codes of all the religions of the world.

The passage given above is called a Vachana’. Basavanna wrote it. Kudalasangama was his personal deity. This name appears at the end of every vachana as a mark of identity.

Basavanna wrote many vachanas. Before the birth of Basavanna it was customary to write religious and ethical texts in Sanskrit. But Basavanna began to write them in Kannada, the language of the common people. This practice not only enriched the Kannada literature but it also encouraged ordinary folks to write vachanas.
Basavanna preached that every one should continue in his professional work while leading a virtuous and spiritual life. Any professional work done in this spirit, Basava said, was Kayaka (work which is worship). As everybody was obliged to take up some kayaka the country’s economy improved. Thus Basavanna accomplished reforms in all fields – religion, morality, social life, economics, language and literature. No man or women in the history of mankind has accomplished what Basava achieved with in a few years. Even today, many Governments are striving to accomplish just one of Basava’s achievements. Basava is truly a great man.

He worked for reforms of so many kinds all at the same time and was a truly great man.

Basavanna was modest and humble. He said, ‘There is none smaller than I.’ He said that he did not want to be praised. He would work with the people as one of them. He always addressed them, courteously in affectionate terms, as ‘father’, ‘brother’ and so on. He grew to be a great light shedding brightness not only over our motherland but also over the whole world.

Basava proclaimed that there is only one God. God has many names. Surrender yourself completely to Him in devotion.

Basava said that Compassion is the root of all religions. Treat all living beings with kindness. Live for the welfare of all. Do not live for selfish and personal interests.

Basava said that Those who are acceptable in this world will be acceptable in the next world too. People should lead a proper life as householders; only then they will be fit for spiritual life. One need not give up the family and become a monk.

No man should be proud thinking ‘I give this’ or ‘I do that’. What a man does he should do not of devotion in his heart. It should not be for the sake of show or publicity; or even to win public praise.

True devotion and virtuous conduct should be given greater importance than the outward religious formalities. One should lead a clean and good life both within and without. A pure mind is more important than scriptures and conventions.

All people should have equal opportunities for religious life. Birth, profession, position or sex should make no difference.

One should not eat or drink just to please the tongue. Food and water should be taken as ‘Prasada’ (the gracious gift) of Lord Shiva. Humility is God’s love. Never try to show off your power and position; and do not be vain.

Everyone should take up a fair and honest means of livelihood. No one should beg. Out of the daily earnings one should take only as much as is needed for the maintenance of the family. The rest should be offered, by way of service, to God for the benefit of others. Everyone should set right the crookedness of his mind. Everyone should try to rise to the level of Godliness through prayer and meditation. This is the goal of life.

Basava’s birthday is celebrated in the month of May to remind ourself of his teachings.

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