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SampradāyaHistorical tradition

Vīraśaiva (Liṅgāyata)

Vīraśaiva / Liṅgāyata

Vīraśaiva (Liṅgāyata) is a devotional Śaiva reform movement founded in 12th-century Karnataka around Basavaṇṇa, rejecting caste hierarchy and temple ritualism in favour of direct devotion to Śiva symbolised by the personal iṣṭaliṅga.

Origin: 12th c. CE
Geographical roots: Karnataka
📜 Historical traditionA pre-modern tradition. Content reflects scholarly consensus; uncertain points are marked accordingly.Verified

Historical development

Vīraśaiva (Liṅgāyata) is a devotional Śaiva reform movement founded in 12th-century Karnataka around Basavaṇṇa, rejecting caste hierarchy and temple ritualism in favour of direct devotion to Śiva symbolised by the personal iṣṭaliṅga.

Principal Gurus & Ācāryas

Guru–disciple links are shown only where historically supported; traditional attributions are marked as such and never asserted as fact.

Modern transmission

It remains a major living community with a strong ethical and devotional culture.

NOSTOPS teachers in this tradition

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