Shaivism (/ɕə͡ɪʋəsampɾəd̪ɑjəh/; Sanskrit: शैवसंप्रदायः, romanized: Śaivasampradāyaḥ) is one of the major Hindu traditions, which worships Shiva [1][2][3] as the supreme being.

Shaivism, organized worship of the Indian god Shiva and, with Vaishnavism and Shaktism, one of the three principal forms of modern Hinduism. Shaivism includes such diverse movements as the highly philosophical Shaiva-siddhanta, the socially distinctive Lingayat, ascetics such as the dashnami sannyasin s, and innumerable folk variants.

Shaivism is one of the major traditions within Hinduism that reveres Shiva as the Supreme Being. The followers of Shaivism are called “Shaivites” or “Saivites”. It is one of the largest sects that believe Shiva, worshipped as a creator and destroyer of worlds, is the supreme god over all.

Jan 1, 2017 · Shaivism is the branch of Hinduism that worships Shiva as the supreme deity. It is one of the major branches of Hinduism. The followers of Shaivism are called Shaivas.

Shaivism is a complex body of South Asian traditions centered on the worship of the Hindu male deity Shiva, or Śiva (Sanskrit: "Auspicious One").

Apr 4, 2025 · In the minds of the ancient Hindus, Shiva was the divine representative of the uncultivated, dangerous, and unpredictable aspects of nature. Shiva’s character lent itself to being split into partial manifestations—each said to represent only an aspect of him—as well as to assimilating powers from other deities.

Shaivism was probably the first antithetical movement against Vedic casteism, long before the emergence of Buddhism as a formidable religion. What we know about Shiva is much less than what we do not know.

Dec 21, 2023 · What Does Shaivism Mean? Within Hinduism, Shaivism is one the largest sects that believe Shiva — worshiped as a creator and destroyer of worlds — is the supreme god over all.

Shaivism is the second largest religious community in cotemporary India. It has several distinct and important branches, and is commonly associated with asceticism.

The Hindu tradition which recognizes Lord Shiva as the highest supreme Brahman is known in English as Shaivism or Saivism. It is one of the oldest traditions of Hinduism, whose antiquity probably dates back to pre Rigvedic period and rooted in the fertility cults of prehistoric world.