The Lingayat community under the aegis of several Mathas has been very active in the field of social work, particularly in the field of education and medicine. Thousands of schools are run by the Lingayat Mathas where education, sometimes free and with boarding facilities is provided to students of all sections of society irrespective of religion or caste. In addition, various Lingayat organisations run numerous schools, colleges and hospitals across the length and breadth of Karnataka. Some of these institutions also have branches in other states of India. Some of the notable Lingayat run institutions include the JSS group of institutions, the K.L.E. and Siddaganga Education Society.
Prominent Lingayat Figures
* His Holiness Mahatapsvi Shri Kumarswamiji, Tapovan, Dharwad.
* B. D. Jatti, Former Vice President of India and former CM of Karnataka
* Mallikarjun Mansur, Classical Musician
* B.S.Yedyurappa Chief Minister of Karnataka,
* Dr. Siddayya Puranik (Kavyananda), IAS, famous kannada poet
* Dr. Shivakumara Swamiji (Head of Siddaganga Matt)
* Justice. P. Mahadevayya, Rajadharmapraveena, Diwanbahadur, the first Kannadiga Chief Justice of Mysore 1931-1934,
* Justice. T. N. Mallappa, High Court of Karnataka
* Shivraj Patil, Home minister, Government of India
* J H Patel, Former CM of Karnataka
* B Sarojadevi, Film actress
* Justice K A Swami, former cheif justice of Madras High Court
* Sanganna Agadi, former M P and Housing Board Chairman
* Vijay Sankeshwar, former MP,founderof VRL logistic ltd
* S.Nijalingappa, Freedom fighter and former Chief Minister of Karnataka, He played important roles in both the Indian independence movement and the Karnataka Ekikarana movement.
* Jagadguru Sri Sri Shivarathri Desikendra Mahaswamigalavaru, Pontiff of JSS Math,Mysore
* Basavaraj Rajguru, Classical Musician
* Go. Ru. Channabasappa, Writer and critic, President, Akhila Bharatha Sharana Saahithya Parishath.
* G. S. Shivarudrappa, poet and critic, Rashtra Kavi.
* S. R. Bommai, senior leader Janatha Dal and former CM Karnataka
* Veerendra Patil, Former Chief Minister of Karnataka
* Jayadevappa Halappa Patel, Former Chief Minister of Karnataka
* D. M. Nanjundappa, Noted economist from Karnataka, Vice-chancellor of Bangalore University and Karnataka University.
* Nilkanthrao Kalyani, Industrialist
* M.P. Prakash, Former Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka
* Chadrakant Navande, Shiv-Sena Leader, Parli-V, Maharashtra
* Sangamesh V.K., Famous Industrialist
* Somashekar Patil, Famous Industrialist
* Ashok S Humbarawadi, Iron man, Famous Industrialist
* Dr. Anand Kumar Kodliwadmath, M.B.B.S.(KU), D.A.(Bombay)
* Patil Puttappa, Renowed kannada activists
* Shri Shri Jagadguru Mate Mahadevi, Basava Dharma Peetha (R), Mahamane Mahamatha, Koodala Sangama – 587115
* Jagadish Shettar, Speaker, Government of Karnataka
* Prabhakar B. Kore, KLE Society(The biggest Education society in the state) Chairman, MP and former minister
* Shamanur Shivashankarappa, Great Educationalists in Davanagere and former state minister
* M.P.Prakash, Congress Leader and Farmer Dy Chief Minister of Karnataka
* M.Rajashekar Murthy, Senior Congress Leader and Former Finance Minister of Karnataka
* BASAVARAJ PATIL YETNAL, Senior BJP Leader, MP and Former Union Minister of India
* Smt.Basavarajeswari, Senior Congress Leader, EX-MP and Former Union Minister of India
* Basavaraj Patil Anwari, Senior Congress Leader, EX-MP and Former Union Minister of India
* Smt.K.S.Nagarathnamma, Senior Congress Leader, Former Minister and opposition party leader in Assembly
* S.Mallikarjunaiah, Senior BJP Leader, MP and former Deputy Speaker of Parliament
* Babugowda Patil, Senior BJP Leader, former MP and Union Minister of India
* Pramila Nesargi, Senior BJP Leader and State Women�s Commission Chairperson
* Dr.MC Modi, famous eye surgeon and Padmashri and Padmabhushan award winner
* Ashok Kheny, Award winner, visionry and Head of Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Project(NICE)
* A.S.POSHETTY, Famous Lawer,Senior TRS Leader.Nizamabad,Andrapradesh
* Pandit Prabhudev Sardar, top ranking All India Radio Hindustani classical artist, gifted with rich and powerful voice
* Bhimanna Khandre, Senior Congress Leader, Former Minister in Karnataka Assembly, Former President of the All India Veerashaiva Mahasabha
* Niranjan.M
* Justice V.S.Malimath,Cheif Justice of High Court of Karnataka and kerala.
* Justice Shivaraj Patil, Judge High Court of karnataka, Chief justice of Rajastan and Judge Supreme Court of India
For informational benefit of visitors, this article ‘Prominent Lingayat Figures’ is taken from – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Veerashaiva#Famous_Lingayats.
