Devotees of Lord Shiva

1. Devotees of Lord Shiva (Puranic):

• Shiva Ganas (Nandeeshwar and others) (Kailasha)

• Veda Priya (Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga)

• Sudakshina (Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga)

• Supriya (Nageshwar Jyotirlinga)

• Ghushma (Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga)

2. Sages associated with Lord Shiva (Puranic):

• Sage Agastya: Associated with Lord Shiva. Worshipped Lord Shiva in his hermitage in Kashi before going to the South. (Skanda Purana - Kashi Khanda - 5)

• Sage Dadhichi: Associated with Lord Shiva. Left the Daksha Yagna because Lord Shiva was not invited. (Shiva Purana - Rudra Samhita - Sati Khanda - 27 to 43)

• Sage Gautama: Associated with Lord Shiva. Associated with Tryambakeshwara Jyotirlinga. Performed penance in the Brahmagiri Hills worshipping Lord Shiva and brought river Gautami Ganga (Godavari). (Shiva Purana - Koti Rudra Samhita - 24 to 27)

3. Saint devotees of Lord Shiva (Historical):

•

Nayanmars (5th - 9th Century): Devotee of Lord Shiva. Played foundational role in the formation of the philosophy of Shaiva Siddhanta. Nayanmars were saints mostly from Tamil Nadu whose lives embodied deep devotion towards Lord Shiva. They sang divine hymns praising the 176 sacred shrines of Lord Shiva which are called the Paadal Petra Sthalams. The collection of their divine hymns are known as Thevarams. Their lives are recorded in the book Periya Puranam.

•

Abhinavagupta (950 – 1016 CE): Exponent of the philosophy of Kashmir Shaivism (Trika System). Composed Tantraloka and many other works.

•

Nambiyandar Nambi (11th Century CE): Devotee of Lord Shiva. Compiled the Thevaram which are hymns sung by the three Nayanars - Thirugnanasambandar, Appar and Sundarar.

•

Akka Mahadevi (1130 - 1160 CE): Devotee of Lord Shiva. Considered Lord Shiva as Chenna Mallikarjuna as her husband. Was a member of the Tradition of the Lingayats. Composed hundreds of Vachanas which are poetic expressions of her devotion towards Lord Shiva.

• Basava

Basava (1131 - 1196 CE): Devotee of Lord Shiva. Was a great reviver of the Tradition of the Lingayats (closely associated with the Virashaiva Tradition). Composed Vachanas which are poetic expressions of devotion towards Lord Shiva. Introduced wearing of Ishtalinga to remind one's devotion towards Lord Shiva.

•

Sekkizhar (12th Century CE): Devotee of Lord Shiva. Tradition of Shaiva Siddhanta. Compiled Periya Puranam which depicts the lives of the 63 Nayanars.

•

Trailanga Swami (1607 - 1887 CE): Devotee of Mother Kali and Lord Shiva. Lived the life of a Yogi. Performed Kali sadhana for 20 years. Then initiated into monastic life by Bhagirathananda Saraswati. Lived most of his life of 280 years in Kashi (Varanasi). Often called as living Shiva of Kashi.