Basava jayanti: Is a Lingayat festival

Basava Jayanti is a Lingayat festival that celebrates the birthday of Basavanna, a 12th-century poet-philosopher and the founder of Lingayatism. Learn about the history, significance and celebration of this holiday in South India. Basava Jayanti is the birth anniversary of Basavanna, the founder of Lingayat sect in Karnataka. In 2025, it falls on April 30, on Akshaya Tritiya, a holy day for Hindus. In 2025, Basava Jayanthi will be observed on April 30th. The day holds immense importance for followers of Lingayatism, a distinct Shaivite sect that emphasizes personal devotion and social harmony. In Karnataka, Basava Jayanti is recognised as a state holiday. Its date can vary from year to year, but it usually falls in late April or early May. The holiday sees colourful parades in major cities of Karnataka, during which portraits of Basavanna are carried through the streets.