SIDDHARAMESHWAR: AN INFLUENTIAL SHIVASHARANA IN THE VEERASHAIVA MOVEMENT

Abstract

The 12^th century history of south India witnessed the radical religious and social reforms. It was only due to the spread of Veerashaiva sect led by Saint Basavesvara. Along with Allama Prabhu and other shivsharanas, Basavesvara propagated the reformist to spread in the region of South Maharashtra which was connected by geographical and cultural proximity as well as the same political umbrella. The contribution of many Shiva devotees from Maharashtra including Siddharameshwar of Sonnalige (Modern Sholapur in Maharashtra) played an important role in spreading the egalitarian movement of Veerashaiva.