[Slonopotam845]

There seems to be a general confusion(particularly in the mind of naras) that iyers are saivas.This is completely baseless.

Many iyers wear vibhuthi on their foreheads,but a substantial number wear gopichandanam and a minority wear namam.This namam wearing minority is slowly dying,because of migration to towns and identity problems.

Many iyers are ardent devotees of Lord Vishnu,have the highest reverence for the avataras of Vishnu,Valmiki Ramayana,Srimad Bhagavatha,Vishnu Sahasranama,Nama Sankeerthanam.

But we also believe in the unity of Godhead,the karma,Bhakthi and Jnana Marga.

Sri Ramakrishna Parahamsa,,Sri Abhinava Vidyatheertha Mahasvaminah,Sri Sadhashiva Brahmendra,Sri Jnanadeva(in Maharashtra)are exemplars of "Advaitic" Bhakthi.Bhakthi is always spontaneous love of God.

Sri Ramana has remarked Bhakti is the mother of Jnana.

Generally iyers in their sankalpam say "sri parameshwara prityartham".Iyers use Iswara to denote God.Parameshwara has by usage become associated with Lord Shiva.It is a nama found in the Vishnu Sahasranama.In the Advaitic tradition Vishnu is the name of Brahman as all pervading. God is beyond all names.Vishnu,Iswara signify his majesty,gunas and omnipotence/omniscience.In Advaitic theology Narayana/Iswara are same.

At the time of completion of karma,iyers say "Kaayena vacha.... Naarayeneti samarpayami" .

This is what i have gleaned from the teachings of great saints of the Advaita tradition.