Agamas
AI-drafted · awaiting admin review
Texts of the Shaiva, Vaishnava and Shakta traditions that govern temple building, consecration of images, daily worship and festivals in many Indian temples.
| Tradition | Hindu (Shaiva, Vaishnava and Shakta) |
|---|---|
| Type | Agama |
| Language | Sanskrit (with Tamil commentaries and practice in the south) |
| Period | c. mid-1st millennium CE onwards (scholarly estimate) |
What it contains
- Shaiva Agamas: traditionally 28, the basis of Shaiva Siddhanta.
- Vaishnava Agamas: the Pancharatra and Vaikhanasa traditions.
- Each Agama traditionally covers knowledge (jnana), meditation (yoga), ritual (kriya) and conduct (charya).
- Rules for temple architecture, image-making, consecration and festivals.
Significance
Daily worship in many great temples of South India, such as Tirumala, Srirangam and Madurai, follows Agamic rules handed down by hereditary priests.