The life of Akka Mahadevi is unparallel in the religious history of the world. Born in a tiny village of Udutadi in the western part of Karnataka during the times of Basavanna (12th century A-D.) this beautiful young woman-saint threw away her garments in utter disgust at the lustful eyes of king Kaushika. 

Cladding the body with her long unmatted hair, Akka Mahadevi resented the lustful eyes of men on streets wherever she went. At last she arrived at Kalyana with a ray of hope in the Anubhava-Mantapa – a spiritual Parliament which under the stewardship of Basavanna, the Prime minister of Kalachuri Kingdom, admitted people from all walks of life irrespective of their caste, creed or sex. When she strongly defended herself, the Head of the Anubhava Mantapa, Allama Prabhu conferred on her the title "Akka"(elder sister) prefixing her original name Mahadevi, in recognition of her deep spiritual insight and her forlorn heart in divine love with Chenna Mallikarjuna, the immortal husband. 

She further expressed the confidence that she would not bring defame to the family of her spiritual relatives. She sincerely hoped that she would definitely bring them credit by winning over to her side indifferent immortal husband:

She proceeded to the beautiful garden of plantains (Kadali-vana) on the foot hills of Srisaila for her meditations, with a heart longing for the handsome unborn husband. Ultimately, She discovered an effulgent light at a distance and on its approach close to her, she could not describe what it was. It was indeed her own immortal husband concealed in the corners of her heart to know the intensity of her love for Him!

As early as 12th century A.D., the congregation of the Shivasharanas at the Anubhava mantapa, gave equal status to both men and women in spiritual, religious, as well as secular matters. 

- Sri Taralabalu Jagadguru
Dr. Shivamurthy Shivacharya Mahaswamiji
Sirigere