Who was the Chief Minister of Bijjala State (now Karnataka), who founded the Veerashaiva Lingayat sect, rejecting the ritualistic worship and the earlier prestige of the Vedas?

Who was the Chief Minister of Bijjala State (now Karnataka), who founded the Veerashaiva Lingayat sect, rejecting the ritualistic worship and the earlier prestige of the Vedas? Correct Answer Basavanna

The correct answer is Basavanna.

• Basavanna was the Chief Minister of Bijjala State (now Karnataka), he founded the Veerashaiva Lingayat sect, rejecting the ritualistic worship and the earlier prestige of the Vedas.

Key Points

• Basavanna-
  • Basavanna spread social awareness through his poetry, popularly known as Vachanas. 
  • Basavanna rejected gender or social discrimination, superstitions and rituals but introduced the Ishtalinga necklace, with an image of the Shiva Liṅga, to every person regardless of his or her birth, to be a constant reminder of one's bhakti (devotion) to Shiva. 
  • His practical approach and act of establishment of  "Kalyana Rajya‟ (Welfare state) brought a new status and position for all the citizens of the society. 
  • The main aim of the Vachana (poetry) movement, led by Basaveshwara was the welfare of all. He proclaimed this as Sakala jeevatmarige lesu‖(welfare of all).