Lingayat in India


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Ethnic Religions (Lingayat)
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge
* Data can be from various sources including official census, agencies, and local research. Data from these sources can sometimes differ even by orders of magnitude. Joshua Project attempts to present a conservative, balanced estimate.

Subgroups: 82 (10 largest shown)  Show all

Subgroup Name Population
Jangam 390,000
Padamsali 288,000
Raddi 110,000
Nadig 107,000
Hadapad 105,000
Banijiga 95,000
Teli 88,000
Devanga 85,000
Vani 81,000
Virasaiva 75,000

Introduction / History

The Lingayat people are known for wearing a linga, an object representing a god; in this case, Shiva. They are a numerous group in India, especially in the state of Karnataka.

This group formed in the 12th century by Basava, a philosopher and a social reformer. He taught against the caste system and its regulations. He envisioned a casteless society, though the resulting society eventually began drawing up lines of caste distinctions again, creating their own hierarchy of social status after Basava's death.

Basava consented to the marriage of a Brahmin woman and a man from very low caste. This story reached the ears of King Bijjala who punished the couple by putting out their eyes and dragging them to their deaths behind an elephant. Basava saw this punishment as unacceptable and left Kayla. He moved on to Kudula Sangama where he died in 1167.


Where Are they Located?

They are found primarily in Karnataka, where they comprise a major population. They are also found in significant numbers in Maharashtra and Andrah Pradesh.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Lingyat are vegetarian and refrain from alcoholic drinks. They are known to be a progressive people and there are people from many walks of life and religious expression to be found among them. Most work in government service, but they are from many occupations, including artisans, cultivators and priests.


What Are Their Beliefs?

They have a series of initiatory rites, including Lingadharane, the bestowing of the linga. This rite is usually performed within the first week of a child's life. From this day forward, the person will wear the stone as an act of worship of the god (Shiva), in a box around their neck. The linga is not seen as a mere representation of god, but rather god himself.

They adore Shiva, but Basava taught that his worshipers should worship him alone rather than numerous gods. Lingayats reject polytheism and the Vedas and follow the teachings of the Vachana sahitya instead.


Prayer Points

Scripture Prayers for the Lingayat in India.


References

K. S. Singh, ed., India's Communities A-Z, Oxford University Press, USA (June 3, 1999) ISBN-10: 0195633547
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lingayatism
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basava
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vachanas
http://goo.gl/BRgiO


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Lingayat
People Name in Country Lingayat
Pronunciation leen-GUY-aht
Alternate Names Banajiga; Hugar; Jangam; Jeer; Jir; Kuruhinashetti; Lingangani; Lingawant; Nagartha; Nai; Sivabhakta; Veerasaiva; लिंगायत
Population this Country 3,867,000
Population all Countries 3,867,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
GSEC 3  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 77
PeopleID3 17372
ROP3 Code 112764
Affinity Bloc South Asian Peoples
People Cluster South Asia - other
People Group Lingayat
Ethnic Code CNN25
Total Subgroups 82 (only 15 largest shown)
  Jangam 390,000
  Padamsali 288,000
  Raddi 110,000
  Nadig 107,000
  Hadapad 105,000
  Banijiga 95,000
  Teli 88,000
  Devanga 85,000
  Vani 81,000
  Virasaiva 75,000
Country India
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 11  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Total States on file 30
Largest States
(only 15 largest shown)
Karnataka
3,144,000
Maharashtra
271,000
Telangana
262,000
Tamil Nadu
97,000
Andhra Pradesh
55,000
Kerala
15,000
Gujarat
8,700
Delhi
3,800
Madhya Pradesh
2,500
Goa
2,500
Uttar Pradesh
900
West Bengal
800
Jharkhand
300
Odisha
300
Puducherry
300
Districts Interactive map, listing and data download
Specialized Website South Asia Peoples
Country India
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 11  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Total States 30  (only 20 largest shown)
  Karnataka 3,144,000
  Maharashtra 271,000
  Telangana 262,000
  Tamil Nadu 97,000
  Andhra Pradesh 55,000
  Kerala 15,000
  Gujarat 8,700
  Delhi 3,800
  Madhya Pradesh 2,500
  Goa 2,500
  Uttar Pradesh 900
  West Bengal 800
  Jharkhand 300
  Odisha 300
  Puducherry 300
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Ethnic Religions (Lingayat)
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical Unknown)
0.01 %
Ethnic Religions
99.99 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
* From latest India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Kannada (2,999,000 speakers)
Language Code kan   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 15
Secondary Languages
Telugu
272,000
Marathi
86,000
Konkani
30,000
Tulu
21,000
Tamil
15,000
Konkani, Goan
4,100
Malayalam
1,200
Hindi
500
Gujarati
400
Ahirani
300
Kodava
200
English
40
Holiya
30
Wagdi
10
Primary Language Kannada (2,999,000 speakers)
Language Code kan   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 15
Secondary Languages
  Telugu 272,000
  Marathi 86,000
  Konkani 30,000
  Tulu 21,000
  Tamil 15,000
  Konkani, Goan 4,100
  Malayalam 1,200
  Hindi 500
  Gujarati 400
  Ahirani 300
  Kodava 200
  English 40
  Holiya 30
  Wagdi 10
People Groups Speaking Kannada

Primary Language:  Kannada

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1812-1988)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1827-2023)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1827-2024)
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Mobile App Android Bible app: Kannada YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Android Bible app: Kannada Bible Biblica
Mobile App Android Bible App: Kannada Bible (ಕನ್ನಡ ಬೈಬಲ್) Indian Revised Version (IRV) Operation Agape
Mobile App Android Bible app: Kannada Study Bible Grace Ministries and Dusty Sandals
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Text / Printed Matter Children and youth resources One Hope
Text / Printed Matter Literacy primer for Kannada Literacy & Evangelism International
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Text / Printed Matter Tools for faith conversations Cru
Text / Printed Matter Topical Scripture booklets and Bible studies World Missionary Press
Photo Source Kamaldevjhalli - Wikipedia  Creative Commons 
Map Source People Group Location: Omid. Other geography / data: GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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