It is the branch of Hinduism that worships the Lord Shiva as the supreme god. Originally from India, Shivaism has great appeal throughout the country and is particularly strong among the Tamils of southern India and Sri Lanka.
Some traditions credit the spread of Shivaism in South India to the great sage, Agastya, who is said to have brought Vedic traditions along with the Tamil language. Nayanars (or Nayanmars), saints from South India, were primarily responsible for the development of Shivaism in the Middle Ages.
Shivaism is a form of non-dual spiritual practice and philosophy that originates from India.
His followers believe that all creation is both an expression of conscious divinity and is no different from that divinity they call Śhiva. Because he is simultaneously the creator Shiva is both immanent and transcendent. This concept is in contrast to many Semitic religious traditions in which God is viewed as fundamentally different from creation and transcendent, or "superior" to creation. As in all Hindu denominations, Shivaism recognizes the existence of many other deities. These deities are expressions of the Supreme. This type of spiritual vision is called Monistic Theism: the cosmos is a "monad" or unique consciousness that expresses itself dualistically, but is fundamentally one.
As a very broad religion, Shivaism encompasses philosophical systems, devotional rituals, legends, mysticism, and various yogic practices. It has monistic and dualistic traditions.
Believers of this religion believe that God transcends form, and devotees worship Śhiva in the form of a lingam, symbolizing the entire universe. God Śhiva is also worshiped in Shivaism as the anthropomorphic manifestation of Śhiva Nataraja.
There are innumerable temples and shrines for these believers, with many shrines also accompanied by murtis dedicated to Ganesha, Lord of the Ganas, followers of Śhiva, and son of Śhiva and Śakti. The twelve Jyotirling, or "golden lingam", shrines are among the most esteemed in Shivaism. Benares is considered the most sacred city of all Hindus, but especially of the believers of Shivaism. A highly revered temple is ancient Chidambaram, in southern India.
