Sadar Lingayats () is a sub-caste of

Lingayatism The Lingayats are a Monotheism, monotheistic religious denomination of Hindu denominations, Hinduism. Lingayats are also known as , , , . Lingayats are known for their unique practice of Ishtalingam, Ishtalinga worship, where adherents carry a ...

, the community that inhabit Central Karnataka region of the

Karnataka Karnataka ( ) is a States and union territories of India, state in the southwestern region of India. It was Unification of Karnataka, formed as Mysore State on 1 November 1956, with the passage of the States Reorganisation Act, 1956, States Re ...

state in

India India, officially the Republic of India, is a country in South Asia. It is the List of countries and dependencies by area, seventh-largest country by area; the List of countries by population (United Nations), most populous country since ...

. The community, also called as ʼʼSadaruʼʼ or ʼʼSadaru Okkaligasʼʼ, is a cultivating caste and were once acted as a native militia and were into trading of grains. The land-owning feudal community vows its allegiance to

Taralabalu Jagadguru Brihanmath, Sirigere Sri Taralabalu Jagadguru Brihanmath is an organization in Sirigere, India. Sadar Lingayats, a dominant sub sect of Lingayat community, owe their allegiance to this math. It is well known in Karnataka for its yeoman service in the field of ru ...

. It is one of the dominant sub-castes of the

Lingayat The Lingayats are a monotheistic religious denomination of Hinduism. Lingayats are also known as , , , . Lingayats are known for their unique practice of Ishtalinga worship, where adherents carry a personal linga symbolizing a constant, intim ...

community. The community uses honorific surname Gowda or Gauda.

Patel Patel is an Indian surname or Indian honorifics, title, predominantly found in the States and union territories of India, state of Gujarat, representing the community of land-owning farmers and later (with the British East India Company) busine ...

, Patil and Banakar are some of the prominent surnames used by the community. They are considered as one of the component caste or an ethnic subgroup of the Vokkaliga community.

History

Sadars were originally of Jain faith, though a large number of them converted to

. Non-lingayat Sadars do exist who strictly adhere to Vedic

Hindu Hindus (; ; also known as Sanātanīs) are people who religiously adhere to Hinduism, also known by its endonym Sanātana Dharma. Jeffery D. Long (2007), A Vision for Hinduism, IB Tauris, , pp. 35–37 Historically, the term has also be ...

religion. The Sadhu Lingayats initially lived in the northern part of India, where agriculture was their primary livelihood. When a local king attacked the region 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. 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.

Occupation

Their primary occupations are

agriculture Agriculture encompasses crop and livestock production, aquaculture, and forestry for food and non-food products. Agriculture was a key factor in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created ...

and

animal husbandry Animal husbandry is the branch of agriculture concerned with animals that are raised for meat, animal fiber, fibre, milk, or other products. It includes day-to-day care, management, production, nutrition, selective breeding, and the raising ...

. They have adhered to this profession primarily though some have become traders and are into Government service. Most of the Patels or village headmen of the villages where Sadars are found are from the same community.

Clans

The population comprises 365 known clans. Some notable clans are Gowdloru, Mattelleru, Monnelleru, Shavantloru, Adikelleru, Shattelleru, Shakrannaru, Malligeru ,Hullaleru and Tandasloru. Another popular clan is tolagadavaru (ತೊಲಗದವರು)

References

{{Reflist Indian castes