The worship of Lord Shiva has been Universal according to our puranas. Even in the later recorded history, we see that Shaiva practices have been spread all across the Bharat or India.

When it comes to the philosophy and practices, there is a rich set of schools of thought. These have emerged out of the interpretations of the core scripture and experience by the philosophers. Some have influenced each other and taken a different form in the course of time and some have retained their core and continue to influence and guide adherents even today. Here are some of the key schools of the Shaiva system.

 

• Shaiva Sidhdhantham

• Kashimiri Shaivism

• Virashaiva

• Other philosophies

• The Saiva School of Hinduism