Kalyana Karnataka Pratishthana to launch Jyothiyatre from Bijjanhalli to Basavakalyan from Feb. 15

The Kalyana Karnataka Pratishthana will organise a padyatra titled “Kalyana Nadige mattu Haralayya Jyothiyatre” from February 15 to March 1, covering the route from Bijjanahalli in Sedam taluk to Basavakalyan in Bidar district.

Addressing reporters here on Friday, organising president of the Jyothiyatre Basavakumar Patil said that the march would commence from Bijjanhalli village, historically associated with the 12th century social reformer Basaveshwara.

He said the footwear believed to have been presented to Basaveshwara by Kalyanamma and Haralayya and traditionally said to have been made from Haralayya’s skin is preserved in the village even today, underlining the spiritual and historical significance of the place.

The inaugural programme on February 15 will feature school students reciting vachanas, followed by a stage play titled “Kalyana Kranti” at Bijjanahalli. Mr. Patil said that students who recite 100 vachanas will be awarded a cash prize of ₹1,000.

The Jyothiyatre will pass through various villages before culminating at Basavakalyan on March 1. On the concluding day, 770 followers of Basaveshwara will collectively recite Sharana Vandane, symbolically representing the 770 social reformers associated with the 12th century Anubhava Mantapa, regarded as a spiritual and social reform assembly of the period.

The valedictory programme will be held at the Basava Dharma Peetha, Mahamane, in Basavakalyan, he added.