Lord Shiva

The Eternal Mahadeva

Come, sit, and let us speak of the Lord Shiva, the Mahadeva — the timeless, formless One who dances within every atom yet dwells forever still on the snow-clad peaks of Mount Kailasha.

Shiva's Mysterious Origin

How does one describe one who has no birth? The ancient Rig Veda calls Him Rudra — the fierce, howling wind that tears away impurity. Later, the Upanishads and Puranas lovingly refer to Him as Shiva — the auspicious, the benevolent.

His true form is beyond forms. He is the beginning, the end, and that which lies beyond both.

The Living Symbols of Shiva

Matted Locks with Ganga

Mother Ganga flows from His hair, showing that grace flows down only when the mind is pure.

Crescent Moon

The moon on His hair tells you that time is but an ornament to Him.

Third Eye

Opens to burn away falsehood, awakening true wisdom.

Sacred Serpents

Coiled around Him, fear and death are made harmless by His mastery.

Ash-Smeared Body

Whispers the truth: all forms turn to ash, but He alone remains.

Trishula

The trident represents the three gunas which He transcends completely.

His Divine Family

Though he is the perfect ascetic — the first yogi, Adiyogi — He is also a loving householder. Beside Him sits Parvati, Mother Shakti, the source of energy in the cosmos.

From their union came Shri Ganesha, remover of obstacles, and Shri Kartikeya, the mighty warrior god. Near his feet, the faithful Nandi, the sacred bull, stands as a symbol of unwavering devotion.

The Twelve Jyotirlingas

Long ago, Shiva appeared as a boundless pillar of light to show Brahma and Vishnu that no ego can measure Him. These pillars, the Jyotirlingas, are scattered across Bharatvarsha

Somnath

The protector of the Moon

Gujrat

Mallikarjuna

Beloved of Parvati

Andhra Pradesh

Mahakaleshwar

Lord of Time

Ujjain

Omkareshwar

The island shaped like Om

Madhya Pradesh

Kedarnath

High in the Himalayas

Uttarakhand

Bhimashankar

In the Sahyadris

Maharashtra

Kashi Vishwanath

The Lord of Kashi

Uttar Pradesh

Trimbakeshwar

Honors the divine Trimurti

Maharashtra

Vaidyanath

The divine healer

Jharkhand

Nageshwar

Signifying His serpent (Naga) form

Madhya Pradesh

Ramanathaswamy

Established and worshipped by Rama

Rameshwaram

Grishneshwar

Lord Shiva compassion towards his devotees

Maharashtra

Pancha Bhoota Sthalams — The Five Elements

Earth

Ekambareswarar

Kanchipuram

Water

Jambukeswarar

Thiruvanaikaval

Fire

Arunachaleswarar

Tiruvannamalai

Air

Srikalahasti

Andhra Pradesh

Space

Chidambaram

Nataraja Temple

His Sacred 108 Names

Here’s a glimpse of the sacred 108 names (Shiva Ashtottara Shatanamavali). Recite these names, as each is a petal offered at His feet.

Om Shivaaya Namaha

The Auspicious One

Om Maheshaaya Namaha

The Great Lord

Om Shambhave Namaha

Source of Bliss

Om Pinaka Dhritaya Namaha

Wielder of the Pinaka Bow

Om Shashi Shekharaya Namaha

Who Wears the Crescent Moon

Om Vamadevaya Namaha

The Pleasant God

Om Virupakshaya Namaha

One with Oblique Eyes

Om Kapardine Namaha

The One with Matted Hair

Om Nilalohitaya Namaha

The Red and Blue-Hued One

Om Shankaraaya Namaha

The Beneficent

Om Shoolapanaye Namaha

The Wielder of the Trident

Om Khattvangine Namaha

Who Carries the Club

Om Vishnuvallabhaya Namaha

Beloved of Vishnu

Om Shipivishtaya Namaha

The Omnipresent

Om Ambikanathaya Namaha

Lord of Mother Parvati

Om Shrikanthaya Namaha

The Beautiful-Throated

Om Bhaktavatsalaya Namaha

The Lover of Devotees

Om Bhavaaya Namaha

Source of the Universe

Om Sharvaya Namaha

Destroyer of Evil

Om Trilokeshaya Namaha

Lord of Three Worlds

Om Shitikanthaya Namaha

Blue-Throated One

Om Shivapriyaya Namaha

Beloved to Parvati

Om Ugraaya Namaha

The Fearsome

Om Kapaline Namaha

Bearer of Skulls

Om Kamari Namaha

Enemy of Kama (Desire)

Om Andhakanthakaya Namaha

Slayer of Demon Andhaka

Om Gangeshvaraya Namaha

Lord of River Ganga

Om Lalatakshaaya Namaha

Third-Eyed Lord

Om Kalakalaya Namaha

The Destroyer of Time

Om Kripalaya Namaha

Abode of Compassion

Festivals Dedicated to Lord Shiva

Maha Shivaratri

The most sacred night to worship Shiva, when devotees fast, chant, and perform Abhishekam all night.

Shravan Maas

The month of Shravan is especially dear to Shiva; Mondays are considered most auspicious.

Pradosham

Fortnightly observance, powerful for Shiva worship.

Lingodbhava Puja, Rudrabhishek, and Arudra Darshan are other important rituals.

Philosophical Traditions

Shaivism is one of the oldest Hindu traditions, with schools like Kashmir Shaivism, Pashupata Shaivism, Lingayatism, and Siddhanta Shaivism.