Namaskaram, My name is Raghavan living in Delhi for the last 15 years. I am a thengalai ieyngar, performing daily pooja for shiva?

Answer: As per the Dharma Shastra, if a person from Iyengar community has taken the Samasrayanam from any of the Sects Guru (Achaaryan – Jeer), then one has to strictly adhere to his Gurus teachings and follow in principle, all the guidence given as per the specific sect. (Oordhvam, Pundareekam, Samasrayanam, Saranagathi – Surrender etc.) If you have not taken the Pancha Samskara route of Srivaishnavite traditions, then youre free to worship any Diety as you feel deem fit. By the way, according to the philosaphical thoughts, all the prayers are aimed at one destination – attaining mental happiness and Mukti. The path are diversive but the aim is same. More so, the different methodical prayers are in effect and in force, only since few thousands year ago. During Vedic Era, there were no split ups but persons from same family used to worship different daiety, according to their faith. Interestingly, Kalki Sri Ra. Krishnamoorthy used describe these trends in one of his famous & successful novels – Ponniyin Selvan. The Charecter taken for the discussion is "Azhwarkadiyaan" who is shown a staunch Sri Vaishnavite but his elder brother used to worship Lord Shiva! No, I will never ask anyone to deviate from their faith and beliefs. In Sanadhana Dharma, one has the full liberty to choose his/her own Lord & God! Faith and belief combined with Bhakthi is more important than the identity of any Idols. Thats the Essence of Sanaathana Dharma.