CULT OF SIVA AND SAKTI OUTSIDE INDIA
Dr. (Mrs.) RADHA KRISHNAMURTHY

   India is a vast country surrounded by mountains and seas. Because of these barriers India, which has always cherished the ideal of Vasudhaiva kutumbakam ; did not stand aloof from mountains in the north and perilous seas on the other three sides and built up a 'Greater India' and spread their culture in these regions. Indian culture thus spread to far-off countries like Indonesia, Indo-China, Malayasia, Cambodia, Siberia etc., and also to neighbouring countries like Nepal, Afghanistan, Central Asia, Ceylon, etc. It may be said that India is the only country that has established lasting cultural contacts with countries outside her boundary and has, in the course of long succession of centuries, left indelible imprints of her religion, art and architecture beyond her frontiers.

   Saivism is one of the main branches of Hinduism, one of the most ancient religions of the world. The cult of Siva and along with the cult of Sakti which have been very popular in India throughout the ages, have shed their influence in countries outside India. In a few countries Siva-Sakti cult attained the status of state religion under royal patronage. Several legendary accounts, hundreds of monuments  and inscriptions, innumerable sculptures of Saiva pantheon, Siva figures on coins circulated by monarchs of different periods, their royal seals with Saiva emblems, painted panels depicting Saiva episodes, temples dedicated to Saiva deities, etc., are some of the evidences to prove that Saivism was very popular in these regions beyond India. Just as Siva, was worshipped with great reverence so also Sakti, the Divine Power and Energy, has also been a favourite in these regions and there are evidences to prove that Sakti cult also was prevalent in a few regions and is still popular in countries like Thailand, Malayasia, Ceylon etc. Deities like Ganesa and Kartikeya, associated with Saiva cult are also held in high esteem.

   These above mentioned evidences not only prove the Siva-Sakti worship in distant lands but also throw light on several other aspects also, such as the influence of different schools of Indian art and architecture in these countries, skill of artists in accomplishing Indian as well as local art traditions of these regions, popularity of Hindu mythological episodes, popularity of composite cult of different deities like Siva, Visnu and Surya, characteristic of Indian colonialism in presenting a blending of different sects like Buddhism and Saivism, etc. Rites and rituals connected with the worship of Siva and Sakti are still practised in some places outside India. Impact of Saivism can be observed on literature, music, dance, drama, etc., in these nations.

   In the present paper the social, religious and cultural impact of Siva and Sakti will also be discussed very briefly dovetailed to a more detailed account of various evidences mentioned above to bring to light the great value of the indelible impression that India has made upon 'Greater India' especially in the field of religion through the popular cult of Siva-Sakti.

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