Ritual

Worship of the trident, emblem of
Siva. Rajasthan, 18th century.
Gouache on paper.
great number of commentaries and digests which have originated
in various parts of the country, and testify to the wide popularity of
the tantras and their rituals. Tantric influence, however, is not
limited to India alone, and there is evidence that the precepts of
tantrism travelled to various parts of the world, especially Nepal,
Tibet, China, Japan and parts of South-East Asia; its influence has
also been evident in Mediterranean cultures such as those of Egypt
and Crete.
Tantrikas are broadly divided into various sects according to the
deities they worship and their rituals. The principal sects are Saivas
(worshippers of Siva), Vaishnavas (worshippers of Vishnu), and