Pratibha Prahlad/ Banguluru

In March 2021, Koraneshwar Sansthan Mutt at Khajuri village of Kalaburgi district in Karnataka created history. The 61-year-old pontiff Murughendra Koraneshwar Shivayogi appointed a 41-year-old woman as his successor.

Neelalochana Taayi, youngest daughter of Hanumanthappa Nagare and Mathurabhai of the same village, was made the head of the mutt on the basis of her dedication, said the seer.

Following the principles of 12th century philosopher and Lingayat saint Basavanna, Shivayogi decided to walk the talk regarding equality. “This is a progressive step. I’m sure this has shocked many. But this is no wonder. We can’t be choosing successors based on heredity. It all boils down to choosing a person based on his or her relationship with the religion,” he said.

Lingayat sect (some even say it's a religion) was founded by Basaveshwara, a 12th century reformist, poet and statesman, who, like proponents of Bhakti movement, rejected the caste and gender discrimination practices of Hinduism. His followers mostly live in Karnataka and Maharashtra. They have been demanding to be classified as a separate religion.

Taayi has studied up to Class 10 in Marathi medium. Later, she learned Kannada. She also dedicated 3 years to studying the principles of Basavanna. Since the mutt is ensconced at the border of Karnataka that is close to Maharashtra, Taayi’s knowledge in both Kannada and Marathi makes her all the more qualified to cater to followers from both states.

What’s interesting is that Taayi’s appointment comes a year after a Muslim youth was chosen to head a Lingayat mutt’s branch at Asuti in Gadag.

Diwan Sharief Rahimansab Mulla, 34, was appointed the head of the mutt on February 26, 2020. As soon as Mulla heard the news, he said he was pleased with such progressive changes. People like Mulla and Taayi are testimonial evidences of Basava’s principles that defy many traditional practices. “People asked me how I got to this mutt after following Islam for so long. Don’t we all hail from the same God? A good guru is all we need. There is no caste in our nation for we are all children of mother India. We are all residing in her womb,” said Mulla, who has been influenced by Basavanna’s teachings since long.

Mulla was trained to learn, understand and imbibe the various facets of the Lingayat religion over a span of 3 years.

Mulla believes that a priest, who is devoid of any selfish interests, will work in the interests of devotees. No wonder he has donated one acre of his family land to the mutt. The seers of both the mutts in Kalaburagi and Gadag threw down the gantlet to conventional beliefs.