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6. MONOTHEISM & REINCARNATION
Later other progenies of Siva were added which includes Mani and Ayyappa.
Because of these exclusivism, Saivites and Vaishanavites were constantly at war with each other.
Great number of temples in south India were built during the thousand years between 600 and 1600 A.D. Buddhism had great influence in the down south, especially part of the present Tamil Nad and Kerala. Saivism (Shiva Siddhanta) was more popular in the Dravidian South while Vaishnavism was more popular in the Aryan North. There are historical evidence for intense rivalry between the Saivites and the Vaishnavites. It is probable that the dramatization of Sabarimala Ayyappa is a compromise between Buddha, Siva and Vishnu worshippers. The name, Dharma Shastha and the prayer song "Swamiye Saranam" are strong indications of the influence of Buddhism. The Vratham, Pilgrimage and associated rituals points to influence of Advaita and Dwaita sects.
As we can see soon after the Christian Era, monotheistic tendencies crept into the Indian religious scenario.
Why did it emerge all of a sudden?
Who brought this new idea?
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