Akka Mahadevi Jayanthi on Chaitra Pournami

Akka Mahadevi Jayanthi is the birth anniversary of Akka Mahadevi who is popularly known as Akka in Karnataka. She was a Kannada poet and renowned person of the Veerashaiva Bhakti movement of 12^th century. In 2010, Akka Maha devi Jayanti date is March 30. Akka is well-known for her Vachanas (a form of didactic poetry) in Kannada literature. She was given the honorific ‘Akka to Akka Maha devi by her contemporary poets and saints like Basavanna, Chenna Basavanna, Siddharama, and Allamprabhu.

Akka was born in Udutadi (Udugani) near Banavasi in Shimoga district of Karnataka on Chaitra Pournami, the Full Moon day in Chaitra month. Akka Mahadevi Jayanti is held in the native place of Akka with utmost fervor. In Srisailam Bhramaramba devi temple, Akka Mahadevi Jayanthi is celebrated with special pujas, and rituals. Several groups of devotees come from Karnataka to participate in the events.