Famous Temples in India

Religious Significance

Eight hundred years ago, there lived a couple by name Madarasa and Madalambike in a village called Bagewadi of Bijapur District, in Karnataka, (South India). They were very pious and deeply religious. There was a temple of Nandeeshwara in that village. The husband and the wife were devotees of Nandeeshwara. Madalambike had a daughter named Nagamma and she was longing to have a son. She offered worship every day to God Shiva and prayed to Him to fulfill her desire. One day after performing the worship she sat in meditation. A jasmine flower, placed on the Shivalinga as an offering, fell into her lap. She took it with great devotion, pressed it gently to her eyes and then wore it in her hair. The whole day she was beside herself with joy and that night she had a dream. Shiva from Kailasa had sent Nandi, the bull on which he rode, to this world. Nandi came to the house of Madarasa and Madalambike. The next morning Madalambike revealed this dream to Madarasa. He, in turn, reported it to the Guru, a spiritual guide of the village. The Guru told him that it was a good sign. The couple would have a worthy son, he would exalt the entire family. He would also uplift and enlighten the whole world. The couple felt very happy when they heard these words of prophecy. In course of time, Madalambike gave birth to a son. It was a charming baby. Its face shone with a brightness, not of this world. The Guru then said By the grace of God Shiva, Nandi (also known as Vrishabha) himself has been born as your son. He will become a great man and will promote Dharma in the world. He will accomplish the welfare of the entire mankind. This indeed is your good fortune as also of this land. Name him as 'Basava'. Basava became the revolutionary who taught that right conduct is heaven. He declared that engaging in work is itself Heaven and taught the ideals of simple living and the equality between men and women. People called him Anna (Big brother) because he practiced what he preached.