Lingayatism
TraditionDharmic
Founded12th century AD
FollowersMillions
Script/LanguageKannada
About Lingayatism
A Shaiva tradition founded on the teachings of the poet philosopher Basavanna in Karnataka. Lingayats wear a small personal lingam and reject caste hierarchy and temple ritual. Their devotional poems, the vachanas, are classics of Kannada literature. Whether it is a separate religion or part of Hinduism is debated among adherents.
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