When is Basava Jayanti, what is its importance

Basava Jayanti is a Hindu festival celebrated mainly in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Maharashtra. This festival marks the birth anniversary of Lord Basavanna. Lord Basavanna was the founder of Lingayatism. His birthday is regarded as the beginning of a new era called Basavanna Yuga or Basaveshwara Yuga. Basava Jayanti (Basava Jayanti 2023) usually falls on the third day of the month of Vaishakh but it varies.
This year Basava Jayanti is on 23rd April. Basavanna was a great poet, social reformer and philosopher. He rejected gender and social prejudice and introduced the favored gender. Basava Jayanti is a holiday in Karnataka. On this day people go to the temples of Lord Basaveshwara to offer prayers. It is an important day especially for the farmers.
People go to Kudalsangam on Basava Jayanti
Lingayat committees organize various programs and this is common in Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. People exchange sweets and wishes on Basava Jayanti. Lectures are organized to remember the teachings of Basavanna. Many people prefer to visit Kudalsangam, which celebrates Basava Jayanti for 6-7 days and organizes many cultural and spiritual events.
Biography of Basavanna
Basavanna was born in the 12th century at Bagwadi, which is 20 km from Hunugund. Some historians say that he was born in Ingleshwar. His father’s name was Madaras and mother’s name was Madalambe. He spent his childhood in Kudalasangam and married Gangambike. His wife Gangambike was the daughter of the prime minister of Bijjala. Bijjala was a Kalchuri king. Basavanna started working as an accountant.