There are three principal sects among the regular Hindoos, the Soivŭs, the Voishnŭvŭs, and the Shaktŭs.

The Soivŭs receive the initiatory rites by which Shivŭ becomes their guardian deity; they imprint on their faces and bodies the marks by which this sect is distinguished, and profess the most devoted regard to this god, trusting in him for protection, &c. Their daily worship is performed before an image of the lingŭ, either at home or by the side of a river, using those forms and offerings which are peculiar to the sect. They have no festivals, but once in the year they keep a fast in honour of Shivŭ, which is accompanied by the worship of this god at the temples of the lingŭ. In the month Voishakhŭ they present to this idol the leaves of the vilwŭ, a favourite tree sacred to Shivŭ, and pour libations of milk on the lingŭ. Some Soivŭs, at this auspicious season, plant shrubs near the lingŭ, and sit before it repeating the name of Shivŭ. It is an act of great merit among this sect to repeat the name of their idol, with a necklace made of the seeds of the roodrakshŭ; as well as to visit Benares, (Kashēē,) a place sacred to Shivŭ. The persons belonging to this sect are principally bramhŭns; but the Soivŭs are not numerous in Bengal.