The correct option is 1 and 3 only
Explanation
The Nayanars and Lingayats (Virashaivas) represent two distinct phases of the Shaivite Bhakti tradition in South India. While the Nayanars emerged during the early medieval period in the Tamil region, the Lingayat movement arose later in the Kannada region, characterized by radical social reform.
Statement 1 is Correct:
Both traditions originated in South India. The Nayanars flourished in Tamil Nadu between the 6th and 9th centuries CE. The Lingayat (Virashaiva) tradition was initiated by Basavanna in the 12th century in Karnataka.
Statement 2 is Incorrect:
The Lingayat tradition explicitly rejected the caste system and Brahmanical supremacy. Basavanna and his followers questioned the theory of rebirth and treated all devotees as equal. While the Nayanars included saints from diverse caste backgrounds (including "untouchables"), thereby challenging rigid social norms, they did not launch a radical social movement to dismantle the caste system to the same extent as the Lingayats. Consequently, it is factually incorrect to state that both traditions "strictly upheld" the caste system.
Statement 3 is Correct:
Both traditions were exclusively Shaivite. The Nayanars were a group of 63 saints devoted to Lord Shiva. Similarly, the Lingayats are worshippers of Shiva, specifically revering the Ishtalinga (a form of Shiva worn on the body).
Key Takeaway:
While both Nayanars and Lingayats are South Indian Shaivite Bhakti traditions, the Lingayat movement is distinct for its aggressive rejection of caste hierarchies and Brahmanical rituals compared to the earlier devotional focus of the Nayanars.