Siddha Yogis and Nāths in Medieval South India

Exploring the tantric traditions that emerged in India around the 5th century CE of Siddhas and Nāth yogis, this book constructs the developmental phases of Siddhas and Nāth yogis and the ways in which Kaula transmissions and Tantra yoga practices have shaped the religious culture of the Telugu region (Andhra Pradesh and Telangana) from medieval to modern times.It investigates three dimensions: reconstructing the forgotten story of Siddha lineages established under the authority of goddess Kubjikā (Kālīkā) and Śiva at Srisailam; exploring diverse Śaiva Yogi groups and Nāths from the thirteenth to the fifteenth century; and examining the role of siddha-yogis, yogi-poets, and Nāth ascetics in the Śaiva eclectic environment of Telugu region from the sixteenth to the eighteenth centuries. The author blends the philological study of texts, religion, art history and material culture into one interdisciplinary exploration of how Srisailam became the epicenter for Siddhas and Nāth yogis. Through this approach, the book provides the first comprehensive account of the intertwined development of Siddha and Nāth groups in Telugu states, challenging previous assumptions and opening new directions for regional and comparative research.Bridging a gap by studying the development of Siddha and Nāth yogi traditions in South India, especially in the Telugu region, and how their practices shaped the local religious culture, this book will therefore be of interest to scholars and postgraduate students in the fields of Hinduism, South Asian religion, Telugu studies, as well as Śaiva and tantric studies. The book will also be an important reference on Siddhas, Nāths, and Goddess traditions in South India.