The Lingayat sect was founded by Basava in the 12th century. The Lingayats are Virashaivites or militant Shaivites. The philosophy of the Lingayatas was influenced by the teachings of both Sankaracharya and Ramanuja. The followers of this sect gave great prominence to the Shiva linga and the Nandi, the bull. This sect was characterized by an anti-Brahmanical sprit. Though they are predominantly engaged in agriculture, trade and industry has also been a lucrative occupation for them. Lingayats, in fact, play a dominant role in the economic, educational, social and political life of Karnataka.

The Lingayat community regards Lord Shiva as supreme and must worship only Him, hence they are called Vira Saivas or stalwart Saivas. Reverence is paid by the Lingayatas to the 63 Nayanaras of the Tamil country whom they regard as elders or Puratanas. They also honour 770 later saints among whom are included Basava and his chief disciples. They revere the Vedas to the hilt. They claim to be free from caste distinctions but caste is observed among them. They adjure sacrifices, penance, pilgrimages and fasts.

The cardinal principles of Lingayat philosophy are Shadsthala or the six-fold spiritual hierarchy, ashta-varam (the eight-fold spiritual aids to Lingayat faith) and the pancharas (the five-fold disciplines of life). They believe that God is real and that the goal of life is to attune oneself to the Divine and bring harmony into life.

The metaphysical aspect of the Lingayat philosophy is known as Saktivishishtadvaitta, according to which the soul has the potential power to become God, the means to this being religion. The phenomenal world has its own importance and role to play in the spiritual evolution or growth of the atman. Matter, pain and pleasure are meaningful. The body is the temple of the soul. All occupation is a means of worshipping the divine. Whatever there is, it is a gift of God to be used for one`s salvation.

As far festivals are concerned the Lingayat community observes all major Hindu festivals such as Vijayadashami, Sankranti, Ganesh Chaturthi and Diwali. For the Lingayats marriage is a sacrament. Most marriages are arranged through intermediaries though there are stray cases of Lingayat boys marrying Muslim or Christian girls after their initiation into the Lingayat fold. If the boy embraces the girl`s religion, he is ostracized. The marriage of a boy to his sister’s or his maternal uncle’s daughter is socially acceptable. Marriage ceremony is performed by the ayyanawar (priest) who chants mantras. There is no saptapadi in a Lingayat marriage. Immediately after the marriage ceremony, the bride goes to her parents and the bridegroom to his relations. The consummation takes place on the following Wednesday or Saturday. In the first year of married life excessive indulgence is restricted by certain long-standing customs. The dead are buried, not cremated, and there is no mourning period nor are the yearly shraddh ceremonies performed as among the Hindus. The Lingayats believe in rebirth.

The contribution of the Lingayat community to the religion, philosophy and literature of India is long standing. They have contributed to the Sanskrit, Kannada, Telugu and Marathi literatures through ages. Vachana, a unique form in Kannada literature, has its origin in the Shivasasharanas of the 12th century. It gives utterance to liberal values such as the dignity of labour, liberty, fraternity and freedom from caste. The Vachanas of Basava, the Akkamathadevi and Siddharameshwara are held in special esteem and the Surya Sampadana is the quintessence of Virashaivism. Harihara, Chamerasa, Sarvajnya, Raghavanka and Kereya Padmaras brought about a renaissance in Kannada literature. Among mystic poets Nijaguna Shivayogi and Mayideva ate outstanding. The rich literary tradition of the Virashaivites is being kept alive today by many writers.

Over 80% of the educational institutions in Karnataka are supported by the Lingayats as are many associations and societies that look after the educational needs of the people. Outstanding educationists from this community have played a special part in the spread of education.

As rulers, ministers and soldiers, the Lingayats were the moulders of the political scene in the past. The Kakatiya kings of Andhra Pradesh, the Sangama kings of the Vijayanagar Empire, the rulers of Kaladi Kodagu, Belavadi, and others were all Lingayats. Lingayat queens like Rudrammadevi, Channamma Kaladi, Mallamma of Belavadi and Channamma of Kittur have made a mark in history by their heroism. Channamma of Kittur fought the British earlier than did the Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi.