Can Shaivites eat meat?

Shaivaism considers meat eating to be a cardinal sin. Those who are initiated in Shaivaism (in the Tamil country), that is, who obtain diksha in Shiva are not allowed to eat meat.

Which is older Shaivism or Vaishnavism?

Clearly Saivism is much much older than Vaishnavism. Lord Shiva was the prime God of the Indus Valley Civilization (3300 BCE – 1500 BCE) and Shaivism was the religion of the native IVC people before Aryans entered there from Central Asia. The earliest Megalithic IVC settlers came to the region in 7000 BCE.

What is the difference between Shaivites and Vaishnavites?

Hindus who prefer to worship Shiva are called Shaivites. Shaivites worship while focusing on the importance of Shiva and practise raja yoga. This kind of Hinduism is called Shaivism. Vaishnavas (sometimes know as Vaishnavites) are Hindus who follow Vishnu and want to show Vishnu that he is the most special deity.

Can Shaivites eat non-vegetarian food?

There are certain sects in Shaivism which even allow the consumption of non-vegetarian food. Hindu occultist (tantra) traditions mostly invoke Lord Shiva and in some cases certain Goddesses. Shiva is considered the God who presides over many occultist energies more than other gods.

What is the difference between Shaivism and Vaishnavism?

And one of the divisions which has pre-existed in Hinduism is between Shaivism and Vaishnavism. While Vaishnavites (followers of Vaishnavism) worship Lord Vishnu (or his two reincarnations – Lord Rama and Lord Krishna) as the primary deity, Shaivites (followers of Shaivism) consider Lord Shiva as the Supreme God and worship him the most.

Can we eat meat in the presence of Lord Shiva?

So, it is clear that Lord Shiva does not like the idea of his devotees eating non-sacrificial meat. Eating meat is allowed only if it is part of some ritual. Kashmiri Pandits worship a variation of Shiva known as Batuka Bhairava – with fish and meat.