A Re-Reading On The Veera Saivism: Meaning, Origin, Scriptures And Sects With Special Reference To Mahakaleshwar Temple Irumbai

Abstract

Veera Saivas were faithful worshippers of Siva. Panchachara, Astavarna and Shatsthala represent three cardinal principles of the Veera Saivas. The Veera Saiva philosophy states that the soul sometimes becomes exposed to the influence of the clouding of the mind and hence acquires impurity. The Saiva agamas (the scriptures of Saivism) mention the following seven branches of Saivism. Some form of Siva and Linga worship was prevalent 3500 to 5000 years ago. During the tenth century Saivism was eagerly supported in Karnatak by the Kalamukhi and Pashupatha schools. This paper portrays Mahakaleshwar temple at Irumbai, which has southern counterpart at Thiru Ammber Mahalam at Ammbar near Mayiladuthuraiand northern counterpart Mahalam Temple at Ujjain Maharashtra Respectively.