| Dravidians have
as commonly been Vaishnavas or worshippers of Lord Vishnu, as they have been Shaivites, or
worshippers of Lord Shiva. There are long lineages of Dravidian Vaishnava saints and kings
going back into ancient history. Other
religious teachings from India, both orthodox and non-orthodox, have also been popular in
South India through history. Both Buddhism and Jainism, which also styled themselves Aryan
religions, had large followings in South India during the historical period.
Kanchipuram, the main sacred city of South India, was
divided into four quarters: a Vaishnava quarter, a Shaiva quarter, a Buddhist quarter, and
a Jain quarter. In addition many Brahmanical traditions have flourished in South India and
South India remains today the chief site of Brahmanical learning and Vedic chanting.
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