Haralayya

Haralayya was a 12th-century Dalit saint and poet of Vachana sahitya in India. He joined Anubhava Mantapa, the hall created by Basava, where every caste was welcome.[1]

Sharana

Haralayya
Born
Basavakalyan, Karnataka
Died
Basavakalyan, Karnataka
WorksCobbler, poet & propagator of Sharana movement
Ecclesiastical career
ReligionLingayat

History

Haralayya was born in Kalyan of Karnataka.[2] He was a cobbler and an ardent follower of Basava, who founded Lingayatism. He married Kalyanamma, who was also a follower of Basava.

Once he met Basava on the streets and greeted him, eliciting a polite reply Basava. Haralayya was dumb struck that he was greeted so courteously by the king's treasurer. Later he regretted that he did not answer Basava's greeting and failed to show humility. So he and Kalyanamma decided to offer footwear made from their own skin to Basava. But Basava refused to accept the gift, because he did not regard himself worthy.[3]

On his way back home, Haralayya met Madhavarasa, a Brahmin minister of Kalchuris, who tried to snatch the shoes and take them with him, but because of this misdeed, he contracted leprosy. His maid took him to Haralayya to cure him, and after bathing in water from Haralayya's tank, he healed. Madhavarasa apologized to him and took 'Istalingadiksha' and became a follower of Lingayatism.[4]

Basava arranged the marriage of Madhavarasa's daughter, Lavanya, to Haralayya's son, Sheelavantha, which resulted in strong opposition by Bijjala II, the ruler of Southern Kalachuris. Offended by the decision, he killed both Madhavara and Haralayya's family.[5]

In 2014, Kannada film director Purushottam directed the movie Mahasharana Haralayya, chronicling the story of Haralayya's life.[6]

Haralayya Tirth was built at the entrance of Basavakalyan by Basava Dharma Peetha Charitable Trust.[7]

References
  1. D.C.KIRAN; Litent (1 January 2014). Haralayya. Litent.
  2. Singh, Nagendra Kr (2006). Global Encyclopaedia of the South Indian Dalit's Ethnography. Global Vision Publishing House. ISBN 978-81-8220-168-2.
  3. Schouten, Jan Peter (1995). Revolution of the Mystics: On the Social Aspects of Vīraśaivism. Motilal Banarsidass Publishe. ISBN 978-81-208-1238-3.
  4. "Haralayya and Kalyanamma". Lingayat Religion. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
  5. Pillai, Manu S. (28 July 2017). "Basava and the emergence of Lingayat identity". Livemint. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
  6. Mahasharana Haralayya Movie Review {3.5/5}: Critic Review of Mahasharana Haralayya by Times of India, retrieved 20 May 2020
  7. kalyankarnataka (25 December 2019). "108 feet Basavanna Statue Basavakalyan". Kalyan Karnataka. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
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