Lingayatism is a religious movement in India. The adherents are more commonly known as Lingayats. This relegion represents a reform movement attributed to Basavanna in the 12th century. Basavanna lived and taught in what is now Karnataka State. Some believers believe that Basavanna is an incarnation of Nandi, Shiva's greatest devotee. Nandi serves Shiva perpetually as Garuda does for Vishnu.

Lingayats believe in a monotheistic world where Shiva is the supreme deity. They worship Shiva as a linga. Additionally, Lingayats wear the linga in a similar way as Christians wear the crucifix. Basavanna attempted to rid society of caste distinctions, although these can still be found to a severe degree in modern Lingayats. Many of the reforms which Basavanna pushed for would be later adopted by Gandhi, Swami Vivekananda, and others. Also,

However, unlike practically all Hindus, Lingayats reject the Vedas but rather focus more on the Hindu Agamas, specifically, the Shaivite Agamas. Some Lingayats view the Vedas to be polytheistic in nature while the Agamas are strictly monotheistic and devotional in nature.

The term Lingayat is derived from the linga or the abstract symbol of Shiva in which God is worshipped without form.

Basavanna tried to bring social change in society by encouraging inter-caste marriages between untouchables and people of other castes, though he himself did not follow that and married a brahmin. The revolution he brought about helped people of many low castes and untouchables who eagerly became followers of basava to attain social status.

See also

• Bhakti movement, Shaivism, Vaishnavism
• Survey of Hindu organisations