Context

Karnataka CM laid the foundation stone of Anubhava Mandapa at Basavakalyan, which is considered to be the birthplace of 12th century poet and social reformer Basaveshwara. 

About

The project

• The Rs/-500-crore project is said to be completed within two years on a 7.5-acre area.
• The New Anubhava Mantapa, as envisaged now, will be a six-floor structure in the midst of the 7.5-acre plot and represent various principles of Basaveshwara’s
• It will showcase the 12th Century Anubhava Mantapa (often referred to as the “first Parliament of the world”) established by him in Basavakalyan where philosophers and social reformers held debates.

Anubhava Mantapa         Basavanna built Anubhava Mantapa. It was the first religious Parliament in the world. It was in Basavakalyan of present-day Bidar district. Today, physically it is not available. But the seed planted by Basaveshwara has grown as a huge and dense forest.

• The building will adopt the Kalyana Chalukya style of architecture.

Kalyan Chalukya Architecture: Basic Details  The Chalukya temples show a transition from the Nagara to Dravida style and are built in an altogether new style called Karnatadravida. The pillars or ornated columns are considered to be amongst the most important features of these temples and even temples like “Mahadeva Temple” have the finest design and structure in Karnataka after Halebid. The Temple plan is generally star-shaped. Most temples have deities like Shiva and Nandi at the entrance of the shrine. Examples: Truketshwara Temple, Gadag, Temples of Lakkundi, Kasivisvesvara Temple, Mahadeva Temple, Itagi, Doddabasappa Temple, Dambal etc.

• Structure: The grand structure supported by 770 pillars will have an auditorium with a seating capacity of 770 people. It is believed that 770 Sharanas (followers of Basaveshwara) led the Vachana reformist movement in the 12th Century.
• Basement: The basement is designed for a Dasoha Bhavana (dining hall) where around 1,500 people eat together.
• Top: its top, the structure would have a Linga placed on a large pedestal.
• The project also envisages state-of-the-art robotic system, open-air theatre, modern water conservation system, terrace garden, library, research centre, prayer hall, yoga centre and so on.

Who was Basaveshwara?

• Lord Basavanna or Lord Basaveshwara is known as the founder of the Lingayat parampara (tradition).
  • Lingayats (from the word ‘linga’, which is the mark of the formless Shiva ) are a group who follow Shaivism as a parampara (tradition).
• He was a philosopher and statesman. He lived in the 12th century CE.
• Beliefs: Basaveshwara believed in caste, creed, class, gender equality
• Principles: He popularized principles of 'Kayakave Kailasa' and 'Dasoha'
• Besides serving the people as a great reformer and a great mystic, he also served as the Prime Minister of the Southern Kalachuri Empire in South India.
• He originated a literary revolution by introducing Vachana Sahitya (Lit. vachana = sayings, prose). 

Basaveshwara statue in London In 2015, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated a Basaveshwara statue on the bank of river Thames in London, United Kingdom.