Basavanna is the Guru for Lingayaths :
In Lingayats, marriage ceremony takes place either at brides home or at grooms home. During this wedding one important ritual takes place as a program. That is groom is invited to bride’s home before the wedding ceremony. When he along with other family members and relatives arrives to the bride’s place they first wait in one of the nearest temple or math, whichever is near to the bride’s home. They are greeted, they exchange sugar and then they proceed to bride’s home with Baaja Bhajantri ( Music band).
This event is significant part of Lingayath’s culture. Everyone should notice this. This ritual is part of the whole wedding ceremony.
While the groom has to return with bride to his home, one more important ritual takes place. The groom goes to prayer room/place(Pooja griha/ jagguli) and prays and then he takes one of the idol from that pooja griha/poojaplace (jagguli). Here while taking the idol he picks the Basavanna’s idol(Nandi), and take it to his home. He won’t pick any other idol of other gods, even if he is not doing so, the elders guide him to take Basavanna’s idol. This signifies that for the Lingayaths Basavanna is the only GURU and he is the only GOD.
Since, last 800 years of Lingayatism this ritual is been practised by all Lingayaths, till today thritual is practised among the Lingayaths without fail. - Shrana Umesh Basavatirthappa Mantale