Saivite

Saivite refers to a follower of Shaivism, one of the major traditions within Hinduism. Shaivism reveres Lord Shiva as the supreme being, the creator, preserver, and destroyer of the universe. Saivites believe that Shiva is the ultimate reality and that salvation is attained through devotion to him and the practice of yogic and ascetic disciplines.

Shaivism encompasses a wide range of practices and philosophies, varying across different regions and lineages. Key elements often include the worship of Shiva lingams, which are symbolic representations of Shiva, and the chanting of mantras like "Om Namah Shivaya." Devotional hymns, known as bhajans and kirtans, dedicated to Shiva are also central to Saivite worship.

The tradition has a rich history, with ancient roots found in Vedic texts and developed through various philosophical schools, such as Kashmir Shaivism and Shaiva Siddhanta. Saivites can be found all over the world, particularly in India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, and their practices often involve temple worship, personal meditation, and pilgrimage to sacred sites associated with Shiva. The emphasis is on realizing the oneness of the individual soul (Atman) with the divine (Brahman), personified as Shiva.