Dr. Shivamurthy Shivacharya, head of the Taralabalu Ashram of the Lingayat tradition, hosted a family summer camp at his ashram in Sirigere from May 26-31. Sirigere is in the southwestern state of Karnataka. After the program we stayed a few more days at his ashram.

We were overwhelmed by his love and hospitality. Not only did he arrange for one of his school buses to pick us up for the five-hour journey from Bangalore to his ashram and back but he made the bus available to us throughout the camp. Every day he planned another exciting outing for us. He had about ten staff taking care of us around the clock, and his only request when we departed was to come again with more families. We all enjoyed our time together.

This visit helped us understand more deeply the Lingayat tradition and its founder, Lord Basavanna, a 12th century religious and social reformer. Their teachings are relevant even for today’s India. They have 170 educational, social and religious institutions in the state of Karnataka, and they promote peaceful alternatives to conflict.

We visited one of their schools in the countryside. We want to conduct International Educational Foundation programs at these institutions.