How are Veerashaivas and Lingayats different?
The BJP in Karnataka is finding itself in a spot over the Lingayat and Veerashaiva fight
The fight for a separate religious status for Lingayats is reaching a crescendo in Karnataka. While Lingayats argue that their religious practices are not similar to Veerashaivas or Hindus, the Veerashaiva community has called Lingayatism a part of Hindutva. Veerashaiva community in Karnataka is fighting to keep Lingayats under the umbrella of Hinduism.
While two groups fight over identity, outsiders do not understand how both communities are different. Ardent followers of Lord Shiva, for decades, both, Lingayats and Veerashaivas have been understood as a single entity so far. As the clamour for separate religious identity grows, the differences between the Lingayats and Veershaivas are becoming clearer. There are distinct differences between their practices, faith, meaning, culture and way of life.
Who are Veerashaivas
Veerashaivas are worshippers of Lord Shiva. They precede Basavanna, the founder of Lingayatism. Veerashaivas do not worship any God other than Shiva and can be found spread across India. Pashupatha Shaiva, Soma Shaiva, Dakshina Shaiva, Kala Mukha Shaiva, Lakula Shaiva, Yavala Shaiva, Samanya Shaiva, Mishra Shaiva, Shuddha Shaiva, Adi Shaiva, Anu Shaiva, Avantara Shaiva are some of the sects within Shaivism. Veerashaiva is one such sect and people from the community are found largely in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala. Those who consume non-vegetarian food call themselves Kshatriya Shaiva while those who are vegetarians call themselves Brahmana Shaiva.
All sects of the Veerashaiva follow the 'Pancha Peeta', five mutts. Kashi mutt, Rameshwaram Mutt, Ujjaini Mutt, Rambhapura Mutt and Srishaila Mutt are the core holy places for the community.
Who are Lingayats?
Lingayats are followers of Basavanna and his teachings. Veerashaivas in Karnataka, influenced by the preachings of Basavanna adapted the same into their lives and faith. Basavanna's teachings were incorporated to base sects that led to the formation of new sects like Banajiga Lingayat, Panchamasali Lingayat, Ganiga Lingayat, Gowda Lingayat and Veerashaiva Lingayat.
There are many differences
Veerashaiva and Lingayat ways of life are different. Their beliefs, practices and faith are different. Veerashaiva worship Lord Shiva, the one mentioned in Hindu mythology. But the Shiva that Basavanna referred to is not the Hindu mythological Shiva. Basavanna's Shiva is a formless, seamless figurative entity. Lingayats argue that this was the very reason that Basavanna never mentioned about the Hindu mythological Shiva in any of his Vachanas.
In terms of religious practice, Basavanna propagated only the worship of Ishta Linga. He did not encourage rituals and ceremonies of offering, prayer and sacrifice. Veerashaivas, however, encourage such rituals in stark contrast. Basavanna had suggested wearing of the Ishtalinga on one's neck but Veerashaivas have done away with the practice.
Why the rift?
Lingayats are revolting against oppression by the Veerashaivas. The community alleges that Veerashaivas are attempting to destroy the very idea of Lingayatism by tampering with History and Basavanna's Vachanas. The Pancha Peeta mutts were given the responsibility of propagating Basavanna's Vachanas and popularising Lingayatism. Lingayats allege that the Vachanas were tampered with to allow Veerashaivas propagate their own idea through Basavanna's words.
Lingayats believe that lies about their religion are being peddled for centuries by the Veerashaiva who want to portray Lingayatisma and Veerashaivism as the same. When Jains, Buddhist and Sikhs can have a separate religious status, why not us, is Lingayats argument. Moreover, they have told the Karnataka government that Jainism, Buddism and Sikhism, much like Lingayatism, was founded by a spiritual guru. If separate religious status can be accorded to them, it must apply to Lingayatism too.
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