Maha Shivaratri
A high‐point in the Lingayat calendar, Maha Shivaratri turns Shiva temples into beacons of devotion. All‐night prayers, rhythmic chants of “Bolo Shiva Shambu,” and cascading lamps around the holy linga create a feast for the senses. In 2025, hundreds of thousands gathered at Kudalasangama in Karnataka, blending centuries-old rituals with eco–friendly lamps and solar‐powered spotlights—a nod to today’s green ethos.

Basava Jayanti
Commemorating 12th-century reformer Basavanna, this festival bursts with color and hope. On Vachana Panchami, processions wind through villages and cities alike, while scholars recite Vachanas—short, punchy poems preaching equality and women’s rights. Recent celebrations have even included flash-mob dance performances in Bengaluru, turning ancient wisdom into something that really speaks to millennials.

Ugadi
Marking the Kannada New Year, Ugadi weaves tradition and renewal. Homes sparkle with rangoli patterns; bowls of pachadi—mixing sweet jaggery, bitter neem and tangy tamarind—symbolize life’s highs and lows. Local Lingayat mathas (monastic institutions) hold special rituals invoking Shiva’s blessings for “new beginnings,” and neighborhood feasts offer everything from jolada rotti to evolved takes on kosambari salads.

Deepavali
Lights banish darkness—and for Lingayats, that echoes Shiva’s inner radiance. Temples glimmer with rows of diyas, and families exchange oil-soaked lamps. This is more than general Diwali cheer—it’s an affirmation of Shiva’s light within every social outcast and reformer championed by Lingayatism.

Nagara Panchami
Snakes hold a special place in Shaiva lore, so on Nagara Panchami, devotees bring offerings of milk, turmeric and flowers to serpent idols. Processions meander through temple precincts, seeking protection and fertility. In recent years, animal–welfare groups have partnered with Lingayat organizations to ensure safe handling of cobras during these rites—blending compassion with devotion.

Each festival, whether echoing the thunder of Shivaratri drums or the gentle glow of Diwali lamps, shines a light on both devotion to Shiva and the community’s enduring social‐reform spirit.