Those who worshiped shiva known as shaiva
In rigveda lord shiva known as rudra
In atharva veda lord shiva also known as-
Sharv
Pashupati
Bhupati
Bhav
First ever description of linga worship–
Found in matsya purana
Archaeological evidence found in harappa civilisation
4 shaiva cults according to vaman purana –
Pashupat
Kapalik
Kalamukh
Lingayat
Pashupat cult–
Most ancient cult of shaivas
Followers known as ‘pancharthik’
Sacred text is pashupat sutra
Cult was established by lakulish
Who was considered one among the 18 embodiments of shiva
Kapalik cult-
Preciding god of kapalik’s was bhairav
Main center of this cult was sri shell
Kalamukh cult–
According to shiv purana the followers of kalamukh cult is known as ‘mahavratdhar’
Followers of this cult taking meals in human skull
They rub human body ashes on their body
Lingayat cult–
Lingayat cult found in southern india
They are also known as jangam
Natha cult–
In 10th century ad matsyendranath established nath cult and promoted by baba gorakhnath
Temples-
Shaiva religion was very popular in southern india
Cholas pallavas chalukya and rastrakuta dynasties followed and promoted shaiva religion rastrakutas constructed kailash temple in ellora maharastra
Chola king rajraja-i constructed rarajeshwar temple in tanjore
Shaiv religion promoted by nayanar saints.