Sadar Lingayats

The Sadhu Lingayats initially lived in the northern part of modern day Karnataka, where agriculture was their primary livelihood. When a local king attacked the region, which was ruled by his father-in-law, some of these people moved south. Later, others following them south converted to Lingayathism. Haalu Rameshwara, Viswabandhu Marulasiddha, Narappa, Mahdeswara, Karibasajja and Dyamalamba are noted saints of the community, and Harihara and Raghavanka are some noted poets.

Sadhu Lingayats were initially Jains though many converted to the Lingayat and Hindu faiths. Hindus worship both Shiva and Vishnu, while Jains worship the Jain Tirthankaras and some of the Hindu gods. The non-Lingayats are divided into Huvvinavaru (“Those of flowers”) and Hongeyavaru (“Those of the Honge Mara”). The community had a high social status due to their strict vegetarianism and observance of sexual ethics. They adopted the usual Kattemane form of caste organization. They use the caste title Gowda.[1]

Some time before the 11th century, Jains migrated from Northern India to Southern India in the region of North Karnataka. Many of them were converted into Hindus by Vishnuvardhana in the 11th century. Some of them were converted into Lingayatism by Lingayatism revolution in the 12th century. Many of them migrated from North to Central Karnataka due to the violent atmosphere around 1431.

Their primary occupations are agriculture and animal husbandry.

The population comprises 365 known clans. Some notable clans are Gowdloru, Mattelleru, Monnelleru, Shyavantloru, Adikelleru, Shattelleru, Shakrannaru and Tandasloru.[2]