Shaivism, Lord Shiva's own Religion.

Śaivism, also written as Shaivism and Saivism, is the Division of Hinduism that worships Shiva as the Supreme God.  Followers of all Śaivism are known as Śaivas or even Śaivites. 

 Founded in India, Śaivism has broad appeal across the nation and is especially strong among the Tamils of Southern India and Sri Lanka.Some customs credit the dispersing of Śaivism into southern India into the blossom, Agastya, who's believed to have attracted Vedic customs and all the Tamil language.

Śaivism is a type of nondual spiritual practice and philosophy originating in India.  Śaivites consider that the whole creation is both a reflection of conscious divinity and can be non-different from this divinity which they call "Śiva".  Since he's concurrently the born and the founder, Śiva is both immanent and transcendent.  



  This theory contrasts with several semitic spiritual traditions where God is viewed as basically distinct from the production and transcendent, or "greater" than the production.  As in most Hindu denominations, Śaivism admits the presence of numerous other deities.

  This kind of spiritual perspective is named Monistic Theism: the cosmos is a "monad" or solitary awareness that communicates itself dualistically, but is basically one.

Practices and Beliefs

   Śaivism is a deeply profound, devotional and mysterious denomination of Hinduism.  It is regarded as the oldest of the Hindu denominations, with a long lineage of sages and saints who have outlaid clinics and avenues targeted toward self-realization along with the ultimate goal of moksha, liberation.

   As an incredibly broad religion, Śaivism encompasses philosophical systems, devotional rituals, legends, mysticism and diverse yogic practices.  It's both monistic and dualistic traditions.  Major theological schools of Śaivism comprise Kashmir Śaivism, Śaiva Siddhanta and Virasaivism.Śaivites believe God transcends form, and devotees frequently snore Śiva in the form of a lingam, representing all world.  God Śiva is also revered in Śaivism since the most bizarre manifestation of Śiva Nataraja.

There are innumerable Śaivite temples and shrines, with lots of shrines accompanied too by murtis devoted to Ganesa, Lord of the Ganas, followers of Śiva, and son of Śiva and Śakti.  The twelve Jyotirling, or "gold lingam," shrines are one of the most esteemed in Śaivism.

   Benares is regarded as the holiest city of all Hindus, but especially Śaivites.  An extremely revered Śaivite temple would be the early Chidambaram, in South India.