Religious Sects

2020-04-27 12:06:39

Focus was on devotional worship in temples and on pilgrimage
Hindu cults associated with Vishnu, Shiva and Shakti became popular
Tantric tradition bcame popular influenced Hindu, Buddhist and somewhat Jaina traditions
Jainism in western India, Karnataka Buddhism in eastern India and Kashmir, Naga cult in Kashmir
Increased inter religious syncretism
- Jaina tirthankara Rishabha was turned into avatar of Vishnu in Bhagavata Purana
- Jayadeva’s Gita Govinda mentions Buddha as 9th incarnation of Vishnu
Tensions and rivalrly b/w Shaivas and Jaina in South India
Juxtaposition of shrines belonging to different religious traditions ex Ellora both Buddhist and Hindu caves (Kailashnatha temple)
Advent of Islam - Arab shipowners, traders, oilmen, masons mentioned in inscriptions of port towns
Political patronage of temples led to emergence of royal temples
Regional cultures emerged, religious identities more clearly defined