After Muslim youth as head of mutt, it is now the turn of 40-year-old woman to head mutt

Breaking the tradition of appointing a male as head of Koraneshwar Sansthan Mutt at Khajuri village in Aland taluk of the district, Murughendra Koranesahwar Shivayogi (61), the pontiff of the mutt, appointed a 40-year-old woman as his successor, terming it as rare in the state.

This appointment has been made to the mutt a year after a Muslim youth was appointed head of a branch of a lingayat mutt in Asuti village in Gadag district.

Murughendra Koraneshwar Swamiji on Monday announced the appointment of Neelalochana Taayi as his successor in a simple function held on the mutt's premises in Khajuri village which borders Maharashtra.

Murughendra Koraneshwara Swamiji told DH that he has just followed the fundamental principles of Basava. We keep talking about equality and egalitarian society but in reality, we will not practice it. "Being a follower of Basava principles, I decided to make it practical". Khajuri mutt has a history of centuries as it was established in the 12 century. Neelalochana Taayi has been made head of the mutt legally as no relatives should claim the ownership of the mutt, the seer explained.

As the mutt is located on the border village of Maharashtra, it has followers from both Karnataka and Maharashtra states. "I wanted a successor who knows both Kannada and Marathi languages to preach Basava principles. The woman successor has studied up to the 10th standard in the Marathi language. She has studied the Basava principles and religion for three years at Basavatatva College in Chitradurga's Murugha mutt and belonged to the Jangama goudaru caste, the seer told.

Neelalochana Taayi told DH that "I am happy to be the head of the mutt and also its an honour. I will engage in social work and will preach the principles of Basavanna for the devotees from both Karnataka and Maharashtra. I will try to solve the problems of the devotees who visit mutt. Lingadharana will be administered to the devotees", Taayi told.

After three years of training at Sri Murugha Mutt, Taayi returned to Khajuri where she was in-charge of Nijacharane Residential School from 2006. "Observing her dedication and social work, we decided to appoint her as my successor", the Swamiji told.

Neelalochana Taayi is the youngest daughter of Hanumanthappa Nagare and Mathurabai couple in Khajuri village. She has two elder brothers and two sisters.