Difference Between Lingayats and Veerashaivas:
| S No. | Lingayats | Veerashaivas |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Worships Istalinga. Believe in Inner Spirit of Lord Shiva | Worships Shiva as Lord |
| 2 | Founder: Basavana | Founder: Panchacharyas/Five Sages |
| 3 | Reject Vedas and Agamas | Believes Vedas and Agamas |
| 4 | All are Equal. No Caste Hierarchy. | Inequality between people of different strata/caste. |
| 5 | Women are Equal as men | Men are given more Prominence |
| 6 | Shiva is a formless and timeless entity. The Lord is present within each and everyone, and they are against idol worship. | go to temples and worship idols |
| 7 | denounced all Hindu practices and can’t fit themselves into the Hindu religion. | call themselves Hindus |
Veerashaiva Lingayats are Lingayats themselves. That lead to the debate in Karnataka.