Question

Description acceptable. A variant of this tradition that places its central figure as the highest of the “fourteen gods” was founded in the same region as an ancient site associated with this tradition, Unakoti. This tradition historically developed from two paths, the “outer path” and the “path of mantras.” Lakulisha (“luh-koo-LEE-shuh”) founded a variant of this tradition whose adherents engage in odd behavior to attract public disapproval, called the Pāshupata (“PAH-shoo-puh-tuh”) school. It’s not bhakti (“BUCK-tee”), but the Tirumurai hymns were composed by 63 saints of this tradition known as the Nayanars. Adherents of this tradition wear the tripundra, which consists of three [emphasize] (-5[1])horizontal lines (10[1])of ash on the forehead. This tradition’s central (10[1])figure is represented by a pillar-like (10[1])symbol called a lingam. For 10 points, name this tradition that worships the “Destroyer” of the Hindu Trimurti. (10[1]0[1])■END■

ANSWER: Shaivism [or word forms like Shaivites; accept answers describing worship of Shiva; accept Pāshupata Shaivism; prompt on Hinduism until “Hindu” is read] (The “fourteen gods” refer to Chaturdasa Devata in Tripura. The paths in the second line refer to atimarga and mantramarga.)
<AK, Religion>
= Average correct buzz position

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Buzzes

PlayerTeamOpponentBuzz PositionValue
Chloe ChowHarvard BBU100-5
Arjun NageswaranHarvard ATufts A10210
Michael SunBrandeis BBrandeis A11010
Yrwin BatanMIT ABrown A11610
Nikhil NairBUHarvard B13410
Elliott GomesDartmouth AUMass Boston1340

Summary

California2025-02-01Y3100%0%33%108.33
Florida2025-02-01Y3100%0%0%127.67
Great Lakes2025-02-01Y6100%0%17%119.00
Midwest2025-02-01Y6100%0%17%108.00
North2025-02-01Y3100%0%67%129.00
Northeast2025-02-01Y580%0%20%115.50
Overflow2025-02-01Y580%0%40%120.25
South Central2025-02-01Y250%0%100%134.00
Southeast2025-02-01Y475%0%75%118.67
UK2025-02-01Y10100%0%0%118.30
Upper Mid-Atlantic2025-02-01Y8100%0%13%116.63
Upstate NY2025-02-01Y3100%0%0%123.00