Shaivism has an influence,mostly in India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.Also in Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia.Shaivism is followed.It is learnt that Shaivaism began during the period from 200 BC to 100 AD.Shaivaism spread rapidly through the singers and composers of the Puranic narratives

Shaivites apply,Bhasma,the holy ash,on their body and foreheads.Shaivites offer 'Ganja' to Lord Shiva and some of them also smoke .

As per the Shaktism, Brahman is static Shakti and Shakti is dynamic Brahman

The roots of Shaktism penetrate deep into India's prehistory.Shaktism has inspired great works of Sanskrit literature and hindu philosophy and it continues to strongly influence  Hinduism today.

Shaktism is closely associated with Tantrism,though not all forms of Shaktism are Tantric in nature.

The popular schools of Shaivaism are the Srilua and Kalikula.Srikula is widely spread in South India,while Kalikula is in Northen and Eastern India.

Shaktas are the one of the oldest of Hindu religion and its referance is there in Indus valley civilization.

Shaktas celebrate most major Hindu festivals like Navaratri,Diwali and many more.

The aim of the Vaishnavites is to achieve pleasure and peace from the worship of Lord Vishnu.This is the largest sect, with more than 500 million followers,all over the world.

Vaishnavites follow the custom of 'Diksha' ie initiation by the Master(Guru).The dissiple is granted a Mantra by the Guru,which is chanted as Japnam forever.

The prefix Shri is used for this sect because they have special importance for the Goddess Lakshmi,the consort of Vishnu.They believe that Goddess Lakshmi acts as a mediator between God and Human. 

Vaishnavites agree to the central beliefs of Hinduism such as reincarnation,yoga,karma etc.

Vaishnavism flourished during the seventh to tenth centuries CE, and was conveyed to common people through hymns.

Presently,large Vaishnava communities are spread all over India, and particularly in Western Indian states, such as M.P. Rajasthan and Gujarath.

Vaishnavism is spread from India to abroad,since the 1900s and is now practiced in many places around the globe, including USA,UK,Africa,Russia etc.

The great hindu epics-Ramayan and Mahabharat are an important part of Vaishnav culture and philosophy.

Smartism has quoted many referances showing that Shiva and Vishnu is ultimately the same.

Smarthas are liberal and have choice to worship any deity they desire.They usually worship 'PanchaDevata', the five deities.

Smartas worship the six manifestations of God-Ganesha, Shiva, Shakti, Vishnu, Surya and Skanda and the choice of the nature of God is up to the individual worshipper since different manifestations of God are held to be equivalent.

Smartas are recommended to follow the Brahma form of Vedic marriage ie arranged marriage.The marriage ceremony is derived from Vedic prescriptions.Women take after the traditions of their  husband's family after the marriage.

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