• The twelfth century witnessed the emergence of a new movement in Karnataka, led by a Brahmana named Basavanna (1106-68), who was a minister in the court of a Kalachuri ruler. His followers were known as Virashaivas (heroes of Shiva) or Lingayats (wearers of the linga).

• As the chief minister of his kingdom, he introduced new public institutions, such as the Anubhava Mantapa (or, the “hall of spiritual experience”), which welcomed men and women from all socio-economic backgrounds to discuss spiritual and mundane questions of life, in open.

• They worshipped Shiva in his manifestation as a linga and men usually wear a small linga in a silver case on a loop strung over the left shoulder. Those who are revered, include the Jangama or wandering monks.

• Lingayats believe that on death the devotee will be united with Shiva and will not return to this world. Therefore, they do not practise funerary rites, such as cremation, prescribed in the Dharmashastras. Instead, they ceremonially bury their dead.

• The Lingayats challenged the idea of caste and the “pollution” attributed to certain groups by the Brahmanas. They also questioned the theory of rebirth. These won them followers amongst those who were marginalised, within the Brahmanical social order.

• The Lingayats also encouraged certain practices disapproved in the Dharmashastras, such as post-puberty marriage and the remarriage of widows. Our understanding of the Virashaiva tradition is derived from vachanas (literally, sayings) composed in Kannada by women and men who joined the Movement.