Lingayat — observances and vrat guides
Lingayat and Veerashaiva observances reflect devotion to Shiva, the significance of the ishtalinga and the memory of teachers such as Basavanna. Karnataka's religious calendar brings together personal worship, community gatherings and particular festival observances. These practices are not interchangeable with every general Hindu vow devoted to Shiva. Regional foods and the character of the celebration help explain how a named day is kept. Some entries mark remembrance or teaching rather than a universally required fast. This collection preserves the tradition-specific descriptions and points readers to the individual deity, date and meal guidance for each observance.
The catalog currently includes 24 distinct entries in this collection. Examples are Maha Shivaratri; Shravana Somavara; Basava Jayanti; Ugadi (Kannada New Year); Varamahalakshmi Vratam. Their recorded devotional focus includes Lord Shiva (Ishtalinga); Basavanna / Lord Shiva; Lord Brahma / Lord Shiva (Ishtalinga puja); Goddess Varamahalakshmi (Shakti — Parvati as Lakshmi). Follow the individual links below for the full description, calendar dates, mantra and allowed or avoided foods; each link leads to a dedicated observance page rather than a search result.
Calendar dates are references, not a substitute for the observance rules of your chosen city and community. Lunar days can cross civil-date boundaries, and regional practice can change which day is kept. Meal suggestions are optional ideas for an allowed meal, not instructions to eat during a complete fast. Children, pregnant people and anyone with a medical condition should seek appropriate advice before fasting. Compare the linked guides with your family or temple's practice and choose a discipline suited to your health.
All 24 observances in this collection
- Maha Shivaratri — February 15, 2026
Maha Shivaratri — the Great Night of Shiva — is the most important vrat in the Lingayat (Veerashaiva) tradition. Lingayats keep an all-night vigil, worshipping the Ishtalinga (personal Shiva linga worn on the body) through four rounds of abhishek with water, milk, honey, and bilva leaves. Basavanna's Vacanas are recited throughout the night
- Shravana Somavara — July 20, 2026
Somavara (Monday) is sacred to Lord Shiva, and the Mondays of Shravana (Shraavana) month are considered the holiest of all. Lingayat devotees observe a fruit fast on these days, performing elaborate Ishtalinga puja and reciting Basavanna's Vacanas. The Shravana Somavara fast is observed with particular devotion across Karnataka
- Basava Jayanti — April 20, 2026
Basava Jayanti celebrates the birth of Basavanna (Basaveshwara), the 12th-century Kannada saint, philosopher, and social reformer who founded the Lingayat tradition. He introduced the Ishtalinga initiation, the Anubhava Mantapa (Hall of Spiritual Experience — perhaps the world's first parliament of spiritual equality), and composed hundreds of Vacanas (prose-poems) in Kannada that remain central to Lingayat spiritual life
- Ugadi (Kannada New Year) — March 19, 2026
Ugadi is the Kannada (and Telugu) New Year, celebrated on Chaitra Shukla Pratipada of the Hindu lunar calendar. For the Lingayat community of Karnataka, Ugadi is a sacred new beginning — marked by Ishtalinga puja at sunrise, the preparation and tasting of Ugadi Pachadi, community gatherings, and the recitation of Basavanna's Vacanas. Temples across Karnataka host special pujas, and the day begins a new samvatsara (year-name cycle).
- Varamahalakshmi Vratam — August 28, 2026
Varamahalakshmi Vratam is observed on the second Friday before Shravana Purnima (Shravana Shukla Purnima), and is one of the most important festivals for women across South Indian communities — including Lingayats in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana. Goddess Varamahalakshmi is worshipped as the supreme bestower of boons — she who grants all four purusharthas (dharma, artha, kama, moksha). The kalash adorned as the goddess is the centrepiece of the elaborate home puja.
- Lakshmi Puja — Deepawali — November 8, 2026
Deepawali — the Festival of Lights — falls on Kartika Amavasya (the new moon of Kartika month). For the Lingayat community of Karnataka, Deepawali is a joyful celebration of light, prosperity, and community. The day begins with Ishtalinga puja (honouring Shiva within), followed by home cleaning, rangoli, lighting rows of earthen diyas, and performing Lakshmi puja in the evening. Traditional Karnataka sweets — especially holige — are prepared and shared with neighbours and family.
- Allama Prabhu Jayanti — December 23, 2026
Allama Prabhu Jayanti — the appearance day of the Shunyasimhasanadhipati (master of the empty throne) of the Anubhava Mantapa, the supreme jnana-sharana of the 12th-century Sharana movement. Observed at every Lingayat matha and Anubhava Mantapa worldwide with special pravachana on his bedagina vacanas — the deepest riddle-poetry in the Sharana corpus.
- Akkamahadevi Jayanti — February 11, 2026
Akkamahadevi Jayanti — the appearance day of the supreme woman-sharana of the 12th-century Sharana movement. Magha Shukla Chaturthi per the Kannada Drik Panchang. Observed at every Lingayat matha worldwide with special pravachana on her vacanas, her Yogangatrividhi, and her uncompromising spiritual journey to Lord Channamallikarjuna. Honoured as the foremost female saint in the entire Sharana corpus.
- Channabasavanna Jayanti — April 17, 2026
Channabasavanna Jayanti — the appearance day of Basavanna's nephew, the chief theological systematiser of the Lingayat siddhanta, and the author of the Karana Hasuge. Vaisakha Shukla Pratipada per the Kannada Drik Panchang. Observed at every Lingayat matha worldwide with pravachana on his life and the Karana Hasuge.
- Siddharama Jayanti — December 4, 2026
Siddharama Jayanti — the appearance day of the yogi-sharana of Sonnalige (Solapur), supreme exemplar of kayaka and builder of 68 lakes for his community by yogic power. Observed at every Lingayat matha worldwide and especially at the Siddharameshvara mandir at Solapur.
- Renukacharya Jayanti (Pancharcharya Pradhana) — November 14, 2026
Renukacharya Jayanti — the appearance day of the first Pancharcharya and founder of the Rambhapuri Pitha. Karthika Shukla Panchami per the Kannada Drik Panchang. Observed at all five Pancharcharya mathas (Rambhapuri, Ujjaini, Kedara, Srishaila, Kashi) and at every Veerashaiva-Lingayat matha worldwide.
- Anubhava Mantapa Sthapana Din — April 19, 2026
Anubhava Mantapa Sthapana Din — Akshaya Tritiya per the Kannada Drik Panchang — celebrates Basavanna's establishment of the Anubhava Mantapa at Kalyana (~1160 CE), the world's first democratic spiritual academy where 770 Sharanas of all castes, genders, and professions composed the Vacana corpus through open dialogue. Observed at every Lingayat matha worldwide.
- Basavanna Lingaikya Din (Kudalasangama) — August 18, 2026
Basavanna Lingaikya Din — Shravana Shuddha Panchami — the akshar-vihar (lingaikya) anniversary of Sri Basavanna at Kudalasangama, where he became one with Lord Kudalasangama in 1167 CE after the failure of the Kalyana revolution. The most solemn day of the Lingayat year. Observed at every Lingayat matha worldwide and especially at the Kudalasangama mandir-complex (Bagalkot district).
- Akkamahadevi Lingaikya Din (Kadali Vana, Srisaila) — April 22, 2026
Akkamahadevi Lingaikya Din — the akshar-vihar anniversary of Sri Akkamahadevi at Kadali Vana, Srisaila, where she merged into the Channamallikarjuna Jyotirlinga at age 25. Observed at every Lingayat matha worldwide and especially at the Srisaila Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga (Andhra Pradesh).
- Pradosha Vrata — May 14, 2026
Pradosha Vrata — observed on every trayodashi (13th lunar day, twice monthly, 24 times yearly). The pradosha-twilight is the most sacred Shiva-time when Shiva is said to dance the Tandava. Lingayats worship the Ishtalinga at pradosha with abhishek and the Panchakshara mantra. The most important recurring Shaiva-Lingayat observance after Maha Shivaratri.
- Karthika Somavara — November 2, 2026
Karthika Somavara — every Monday of the holy month of Karthika — the most sacred Shiva-fasting day of the year alongside Maha Shivaratri. Observed at every Lingayat home and matha across Karnataka with deepa-lighting, Ishtalinga worship, and the Panchakshara mantra. The month-long Karthika Deepotsava illuminates the entire region.
- Karthika Purnima (Tripurari Purnima) — November 24, 2026
Karthika Purnima (Tripurari Purnima) — the full moon of Karthika — Lord Shiva's destruction of Tripura. The grand culmination of the month-long Karthika Deepotsava. The most spiritually charged full moon of the year for the Shaiva-Lingayat tradition. Observed at every Lingayat home and matha worldwide.
- Karthika Vana Bhojana — November 22, 2026
Karthika Vana Bhojana — Karnataka Karthika community outdoor feast under bilva and amalaki trees. Observed in the second half of Karthika as a community-building dasoha tradition. Beloved by Karnataka Lingayats and the wider community. The Karnataka equivalent of the broader Vana Bhojana tradition.
- Datta Jayanti — December 23, 2026
Datta Jayanti — Margashirsha Purnima — the appearance day of Lord Dattatreya, the three-headed avatar of Brahma-Vishnu-Shiva and supreme guru-tattva. Venerated in Karnataka Lingayat alongside Shiva. The principal Datta-pithas (Ganagapura, Audumbara, Narsobawadi) draw lakhs of devotees on this day.
- Mauni Amavasya (Magha Amavasya) — February 16, 2026
Mauni Amavasya — Magha Amavasya — observed through full-day silence (mauna) and inner Panchakshara japa. The deepest yogic observance for the Shaiva-Lingayat tradition. The central holy-bath day of the Maha Kumbha Mela. Observed at every Lingayat matha worldwide.
- Nagara Panchami — August 17, 2026
Nagara Panchami — Shravana Shukla Panchami — the festival of the Naga-devatas as forms of Shiva's Vasuki. Particularly beloved in Karnataka where every village has a Naga-kallu shrine. Lingayats venerate the Naga as the symbol of kundalini-shakti rising to merge with Shiva.
- Kudalasangama Jatra (Annual Basavanna Pilgrimage) — August 18, 2026
Kudalasangama Jatra — the annual pilgrimage to Sri Basavanna's lingaikya-place at the Krishna-Malaprabha Sangama. Coincides with Basavanna Lingaikya Din (Shravana Shukla Panchami). The largest Lingayat pilgrimage of the year. Modern Kudalasangama (Almatti, Bagalkot district) hosts lakhs of devotees during the jatra week.
- Srisaila Mallikarjuna Jatra (Maha Shivaratri at Srisailam) — February 15, 2026
Srisaila Mallikarjuna Jatra — the grand Maha Shivaratri pilgrimage to the second Jyotirlinga at Srisailam. Coincides with Maha Shivaratri but is observed as a 12-day jatra at Srisaila. The principal Jyotirlinga-pilgrimage for Karnataka Lingayats given the deep Sharana connections (Akkamahadevi's lingaikya, Allama Prabhu, etc).
- Banashankari Jatra (Banashankari Devi) — January 23, 2027
Banashankari Jatra — the annual Pushya / Magha jatra at the Banashankari Devi mandir, Cholachagudd (Bagalkot district). One of the most attended Karnataka jatras drawing lakhs of devotees. Banashankari is the kuladevata of countless Karnataka Lingayat families — combining Shiva-Shakti veneration with the broader Lingayat siddhanta.