The Dynasties of the Kanarese Districts of the Bombay Presidency from the Earliest Historical Times to the Musalman Conquest c8.s15.74

c8.s15.74

The period to which Bijjala belonged was remarkable for a revival of the worship of Śiva, or for a fresh impetus to the Śaiva faith with elaborated and improved rites and practices, which culminated in the establishment of a new sect of Śivabhaktas or worshippers of Śiva, called technically Vîra-Śaivas, i. e. "brave, fierce, or strict Śaivas," or "Śaiva champions," and popularly Liṅgâyats or Liṅgâwants, i. e. "those who have the liṅga or phallic emblem." The Liṅgâyats—(using the appellation by which all average members of the sect would describe themselves)—are outwardly distinguished from the ordinary Śaivas by the practice of carrying about with them a miniature liṅga, usually in a silver box suspended from the neck and hanging about the waist. And the chief characteristics of their faith and practices are, adoration of the liṅga and of Śiva's bull Nandi, hostility to Brâhmaṇs, disbelief in the transmigration of the soul, contempt for child-marriage, and approval and habitual practice of the remarriage of widows. They are found chiefly in the Kanarese country; their vernacular is Kanarese; and it is due almost entirely to them that this beautiful, highly polished, and powerful language has been preserved, in later times, amidst the constant inroads of Marâṭhâs from the north. They now constitute about thirty-five per cent. of the total Hindû population in the Belgaum, Bijâpur, and Dhârwâr Districts.⁵ In