Religion in Karnataka

Karnataka played a very important role in shaping present day Indian religion and philosohpy. Udupi, Sringeri, Gokarna and Melkote are well known places of sanskrit learning. The great saint Madhwacharya (1238-1317AD), proponent of “dwitha” philosophy and Raghavendra swamy (1601-1671AD) were born here. Shankaracharya(8th century AD), proponent of “advitha” philosophy found enlightenment in Sringeri which became the first of four shankara matts established in India.

Ramanujacharya (1017-1137 AD)fearing persecution from the Tamil Cholas fled Tamil Nadu and came to Karnataka during the rule of Hoysala dynasty and preached his philosophy from Melkote. In the 12th century AD, Veerashivaism spread from northern Karnataka across the deccan. Shree Basava (also known as Basaveshwara or Basavanna) is known as the founder of the lingayat religious sect of hinduism in India.

He brought on a social transformation, often referred as “revolution,” in that he changed the lower caste people into a higher thinking of God or Shiva. He is said to have been a mystic by temperament, an idealist by choice, a statesman by profession, a man of letters by taste, a humanist by sympathy and a social reformer by conviction.