which traditions are associated with him?
Smarta tradition
Shiva
In the Smarta tradition of Hinduism, Shiva is a part of its Panchayatana puja. 
what is the name of the hindu liberator god Vishnu who did he liberate? UNANSWERABLE from what? UNANSWERABLE by what other names is he known? Hari , Kala, Vasudev, Purusa, Atman and Prakrti who is shiva? One of the principal deities of Hinduism
wiki:19655631
Shiva [SEP] Smarta Tradition
In the Smarta tradition of Hinduism, Shiva is a part of its Panchayatana puja. This practice consists of the use of icons or anicons of five deities considered equivalent, set in a quincunx pattern. Shiva is one of the five deities, others being Vishnu, Devi (such as Parvati), Surya and Ganesha or Skanda or any personal god of devotee's preference (Ishta Devata). Philosophically, the Smarta tradition emphasizes that all idols (murti) are icons to help focus on and visualize aspects of Brahman, rather than distinct beings. The ultimate goal in this practice is to transition past the use of icons, recognize the Absolute symbolized by the icons, on the path to realizing the nondual identity of one's Atman (soul, self) and the Brahman.