Lingayat communities, though historically rooted in Karnataka and neighboring regions, now form a modest but discernible presence across several parts of the world. Their spread largely follows broader Indian migration patterns, especially of professionals, students, and traders. Outside India, these communities remain numerically small and are often woven into wider Hindu, Shaivite, or Indian diaspora networks, which makes precise demographic estimates difficult. Nonetheless, they maintain a distinct devotional identity centered on Shiva and the Lingayat tradition, even when not formally separated in census or institutional categories.

The most visible concentrations are found in North America and Europe. In the United States and Canada, Lingayats are present in major metropolitan areas, where they sometimes establish temples, cultural associations, or regular satsangs that honor Basaveshwara and the vachana tradition. In the United Kingdom, organized groups and Basava-oriented associations hold observances such as Basava Jayanti and Shivaratri, often sharing space and resources with broader Hindu organizations. Across these regions, Lingayat identity tends to be nurtured through community gatherings, cultural programs, and devotional study circles rather than through large, independent institutional structures.

Smaller but noteworthy communities exist in Australia, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and parts of Africa. In cities such as Sydney and Melbourne, Lingayats participate in Kannada or Indian associations while also forming dedicated cultural or religious groups where possible. In Gulf countries, Lingayat professionals and workers usually practice their faith in more private or informal settings, shaped by local regulations on public worship. Historical and contemporary migration has also led to scattered Lingayat families in places such as Singapore, Malaysia, and East Africa, where they are often integrated into broader Hindu or Kannada communities and may not always maintain separate institutions.

Across these diverse locations, Lingayat life abroad is characterized less by large-scale visibility and more by quiet continuity. Devotees frequently sustain core practices—such as personal devotion to Shiva and reverence for Basaveshwara—within family spaces, small community circles, and shared cultural platforms. In this way, the Lingayat presence outside India remains relatively small in number yet spiritually cohesive, preserving its distinctive ethos while adapting to the social and religious landscapes of the wider diaspora.