Adisaiva or the first Saiva were created by the Supreme Lord Siva - who is the Anadi Saiva (who does not have a beginning) to serve him and the subjects who were created by him. There is a hierarchy among Saivite priests. At the head of the priesthood is Lord Siva Himself, the One without a beginning. Then comes the Adi Saivan. These are the Sivachariars, or Siva Brahmins. The Vedas hold that these Adi Saivas are the only ones who should perform worship in the sanctum sanctorum of a Siva temple. Next comes the Maha Saivas or Smartas, and Anu Saivas or Kshastriyas.

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