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Studies & Degrees in Saiva Siddhanta Studies

Saiva Siddhanta is a school of religious philosophy within Shaivism, the Hindu tradition centred on the god Shiva. It has deep roots in the Tamil-speaking south of India, where it shaped temple worship, devotional poetry and theology. Saiva Siddhanta studies is the academic study of this tradition: its doctrines, its sacred and philosophical texts, its history and its place in Tamil culture.

The Department of Saiva Siddhanta of the University of Madras describes its field as Saiva Siddhanta, Tamil tradition and comparative religion and philosophy. Students follow the origin and development of the Saiva religion and of Saiva Siddhanta philosophy in chronological order, and read the sacred and philosophical works of the Tamil tradition. One of the department's courses is devoted to the Periya Puranam, the Tamil account of the lives of the Saiva saints. The source texts are in Tamil and Sanskrit: they include the Saiva Agamas, commentaries, ritual manuals and devotional hymns.

Qualifications and levels

The University of Madras offers an unusually complete ladder of qualifications in this subject, from short courses to the doctorate.

  • Certificate. Open to candidates who have completed higher secondary education (the Indian +2) or an examination from another state or country that the university accepts as equivalent.
  • Diploma. For candidates who hold the certificate in Saiva Siddhanta or any bachelor's degree.
  • Postgraduate diplomas. A P.G. Diploma in Saiva Siddhanta, for holders of a bachelor's degree, and a P.G. Diploma in Periya Puranam Studies, for those with the diploma or a bachelor's degree.
  • Master's degree. Two M.A. programmes: Comparative Religion and Philosophy with Specialisation in Saiva Siddhanta, and Saiva Siddhanta: Philosophy and Practices. Both ask for a bachelor's degree in any subject from Madras or from a university that its Syndicate accepts as equivalent.
  • M.Phil and doctorate. The department lists an M.Phil in Saiva Siddhanta and a PhD in Saiva Siddhanta and related topics.

The department's page did not show the syllabus or the fees when it was checked in October 2026. Ask the university for the duration of each course, the fees for foreign students and the language of teaching. The department states that it approaches the philosophy through the Tamil language, so a working knowledge of Tamil may be needed. Ask also what recognition the qualification has in your own country.

Where to study

SpainExchange lists one active school for Saiva Siddhanta studies: the University of Madras in Chennai, India, which has been graded A++ in the NAAC assessment, India's national accreditation of higher education institutions. The department was instituted as an endowment department in 1983 and has been a regular university department since 2003. It has published more than 10 books and has a collaboration agreement with Sri Kapaleeswarar Arts and Science College in Chennai. It belongs to the School of Philosophy and Religious Thought, together with the departments of Christian Studies, Jainology, Philosophy and Vaishnavism and centres for Islamic studies and Buddhism.

Researchers also use collections outside the universities. The French Institute of Pondicherry, a research institute and not a degree-awarding school, holds a collection of 11,353 manuscripts together with the Pondicherry centre of the École française d'Extrême-Orient. The institute describes the collection as particularly rich in Saiva texts and lists Saiva Siddhanta among its research subjects.

Foreign applicants can start with Study in India, the Indian government's portal: register and receive an SII ID, explore courses, apply, accept an offer letter, apply for a student visa and register with the foreigners' registration office (FRRO) within 14 days of arrival. Check with the university whether these courses accept applications through the portal.

Careers

Graduates mostly work in research and teaching: university posts in philosophy, religious studies or Tamil studies, editing and translating texts, and work with manuscript collections. Others teach or lecture for temples, religious foundations and cultural organisations. The field is small and there are no official employment statistics, so a second skill, such as a teaching qualification or training in manuscript studies, improves the options.

Frequently asked questions

Can I start Saiva Siddhanta studies without a university degree?

Yes, at certificate level. The University of Madras admits candidates who have completed higher secondary education, or an equivalent examination from another country that it accepts, to its certificate in Saiva Siddhanta.

Do I need to know Tamil?

Probably. The department says it studies the philosophy through the Tamil language, tradition and culture. Ask the department which language is used in class before applying.

What is the Periya Puranam?

It is a Tamil work on the lives of the Saiva saints. The University of Madras offers a postgraduate diploma dedicated to it.