Lingayatism is a Hindu denomination based on Shaivism.[4][5][6][web 1] Initially known as Veerashaivas, since the 12th-century adherents of this faith are known as Lingayats.
Lingayatism is known for its unique practice of Ishtalinga worship, where adherents carry a personal linga symbolizing a constant, intimate relationship with Shiva.[7] A radical feature of Lingayatism is its staunch opposition to the caste system and advocacy for social equality, challenging societal norms of the time.[8] Its philosophical tenets are encapsulated in Vachanas, a form of devotional poetry.[9] The tradition also emphasizes Kayaka (work) and Dasoha (service) as forms of worship, underscoring the sanctity of labor and service to others.[10] Unlike mainstream Hinduism, Lingayatism rejects scriptural authority of vedas and puranas,[11] ritualistic practices, and the concept of rebirth, promoting a direct, personal experience of the divine.[12]
Lingayatism is generally considered a Hindu sect[13][web 1][note 4] because their beliefs include many Hindu elements.[14][note 5] Worship is centered on Shiva as the universal god in the iconographic form of Ishtalinga.[15][6][note 6] Lingayatism emphasizes qualified monism, with philosophical foundations similar to those of the 11th–12th-century South Indian philosopher Ramanuja.[web 1]
Contemporary Lingayatism is influential in South India, especially in the state of Karnataka.[6][16] Lingayats celebrate anniversaries (jayanti) of major religious leaders of their sect, as well as Hindu festivals such as Shivaratri and Ganesh Chaturthi.[17][18][19] Lingayatism has its own pilgrimage places, temples, shrines and religious poetry based on Shiva.[20] Today, Lingayats, along with Shaiva Siddhanta followers, Naths, Pashupatas, Kapalikas and others constitute the Shaivite population.[web 2][note 7]
Cite error: There are <ref group=note> tags on this page, but the references will not show without a {{reflist|group=note}} template (see the help page).
^ ab"CM Devendra Fadnavis to get demand for Lingayat quota examined by state panel". The Times of India. 23 July 2019. Archived from the original on 5 August 2021. Retrieved 5 August 2021.
^"Telangana state has around 15 lakh Lingayat population". 20 April 2018. Retrieved 20 April 2018.
^ abShankaragouda Hanamantagouda Patil (), Community Dominance and Political Modernisation: The Lingayats, p.176
^ abDalal 2010, p. 208-209.
^Schouten 1995, p. 6.
^ abcFisher, Elaine M. (August 2019). Copp, Paul; Wedemeyer, Christian K. (eds.). "The Tangled Roots of Vīraśaivism: On the Vīramāheśvara Textual Culture of Srisailam". History of Religions. 59 (1). University of Chicago Press for the University of Chicago Divinity School: 1–37. doi:10.1086/703521. ISSN 0018-2710. JSTOR 00182710. LCCN 64001081. OCLC 299661763. S2CID 202376600.
^Ramanujan, A. K. (Ed.). (1973). Speaking of Śiva (Vol. 270). Penguin.
^Schouten, J. P. (1995). Revolution of the mystics: On the Social Aspects of Vīraśaivism. Motilal Banarsidass Publishers.
^Rice, E. P. (1982). a History of Kannada literature. Asian educational services.
^Ishwaran, K. (1981). Bhakti Tradition and Modernization: the case of Lingayatism. In Tradition and Modernity in Bhakti Movements (pp. 72-82). Brill.
^Schouten 1995, pp. 52–56.
^Ramanujan, A. K. (Ed.). (1973). Speaking of Śiva (Vol. 270). Penguin.
^Levinson & Christensen 2002, p. 475.
^Ramanujan 1973, p. 175.
^Dalal 2010, p. 208–209.
^Gall & Hobby 2009, p. 567–570.
^Cite error: The named reference Patil34 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^Cite error: The named reference campbell149 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^Srinivas, M.N. (1995). Social Change in Modern India. Orient Blackswan. pp. 157–158. ISBN 978-81-250-0422-6. Archived from the original on 15 April 2021. Retrieved 27 September 2018.
^Wolf, Herbert C. (1978). "The Linga as Center: A Study in Religious Phenomenology". Journal of the American Academy of Religion. XLVI (3). Oxford University Press: 369–388. doi:10.1093/jaarel/xlvi.3.369.
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Lingayat, also known as Veerashaiva /ˈvɪərəʃaɪvə/, are a community in India who adhere to Lingayatism, a sect under Hinduism. This is a list of notable...
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adherents of this faith are known as Lingayats. This tradition originated in Karnataka around the 12th-century. Lingayatism is derived from the term linga and...
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whom Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes account for more than 200,000; Lingayat for around 200,000; Ediga for 220,000; Banjara for 100,000; Muslim for...
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humanitarian, spiritual leader, educator and supercentenarian. He was a Lingayatism religious figure. Swami joined the Siddaganga Matha in 1930 Karnataka...
of Basavanna and Panchacharyas who worship god through "istalinga". Lingayatism is a sect of Hinduism and worship Shiva in the form of Linga. Varna (class)...
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