Mysore(DH): Chief Minister Siddaramaiah inaugurated two-day Basava jayanti celebrations, organised at Suttur Mutt, near the foot of Chamundi Hill, in the city. CM, who strongly advocated building an egalitarian society, said: “For me, the sayings of sharanas like Basavanna, the 12th century social reformer, and others are an all time source of inspiration”.

Making an attempt to dispel the myths surrounding ‘Heaven after death’, Siddaramaiah said, Basavanna and his team fought against such myths that had engulfed the society. Siddaramaiah, in a tad sarcastic tone, asked the gathering for the proof of journey to heaven after death. Instead, the people should think of remaining true to oneself during his or her lifetime, said Siddaramaiah.

A colourful procession was taken out from JSS Mahavidyapeeth near Shivarthreeshwara Circle (Gun House) to Suttur mutt as part of Basava jayanti. Huge replicas of Basavanna were taken out in flower bedecked vehicles, along with various cultural troupes.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah offered tributes to the portrait of Basavanna during Basava jayanti celebrations, in Mysore, on Saturday. Cooperation Minister H S Mahadev Prasad, Suttur seer Sri Shivarathri Deshikendra, Revenue Minister V Sreenivas Prasad, Chamarajanagar MP R Dhruvanarayan and ZP President K Mahadev were present.