Skip to content
Search Karna, कर्ण, Gita 2.47…/
ENहिं
Shiva
DeityShaivism

Shiva: FAQ & Sources

शिव

The destroyer and transformer; lord of yogis and of the cosmic dance. Also called Mahadeva, Shankara, Shambhu, Rudra, Neelakantha, Pashupati, Bholenath, Maheshvara, Nataraja, Mahakala.

Om Jai Shiv Omkara

Shiva is Mahadeva, the great god of Hinduism and the destroyer and transformer in the Trimurti. He meditates on Mount Kailash with Parvati, Ganesha and Kartikeya, wears the moon and the Ganga in his hair, and dances as Nataraja. Shaivas worship him, above all in the linga, as the Supreme Being.

Updated 23 Oct 20268 sources

RoleThe destroyer and transformer; lord of yogis and of the cosmic dance
ConsortParvati
MountNandi
SerpentVasuki
WeaponsTrishula, Pinaka
ObjectsDamaru

Frequently asked questions

Who is Shiva?
Shiva is Mahadeva, the great god of Hinduism, the destroyer and transformer in the Trimurti and, for Shaivas, the Supreme Being who creates, preserves and dissolves the universe.
Who is Shiva's wife?
Parvati, daughter of Himavan, who is the rebirth of his first wife Sati. Durga and Kali are also forms of his consort.
Who are Shiva's sons?
Ganesha and Kartikeya (Skanda or Murugan). Some traditions also name Ayyappa.
Why is Shiva's throat blue?
He drank the poison halahala that rose during the churning of the ocean, and Parvati held it in his throat, turning it blue. He is called Neelakantha.
What is the name of Shiva's snake?
Vasuki, the serpent king, who coils around his neck and served as the rope in the churning of the ocean.
What are Shiva's weapons?
The trident Trishula, the bow Pinaka and the axe (parashu). He also holds the drum Damaru.
What is a Shiva linga?
The linga is the formless symbol of Shiva, a pillar without beginning or end, set in a base that stands for Shakti.
What are the 12 Jyotirlingas?
Somnath, Mallikarjuna, Mahakaleshwar, Omkareshwar, Kedarnath, Bhimashankar, Kashi Vishwanath, Trimbakeshwar, Baidyanath, Nageshwar, Rameswaram and Grishneshwar.
Which day is dedicated to Shiva?
Monday, with special importance for the Mondays of Shravan, Pradosha and Maha Shivaratri.
What is Shiva's mantra?
Om Namah Shivaya, the five-syllable Panchakshara, and the Mahamrityunjaya Mantra from Rigveda 7.59.12.
Where does Shiva live?
On Mount Kailash in the Himalaya, with Parvati, his sons, Nandi and the ganas.

Sources

  1. Rigveda 2.33, 7.59.12, 10.92
  2. Yajurveda, Taittiriya Samhita 4.5 (Shri Rudram)
  3. Shvetashvatara Upanishad; Maitri Upanishad
  4. Shiva Purana (Rudra, Shatarudra and Koti Rudra Samhitas)
  5. Linga Purana; Skanda Purana
  6. Mahabharata, Vana Parva (Kirata) and Anushasana Parva (Shiva Sahasranama)
  7. Valmiki Ramayana, Bala Kanda (descent of the Ganga) and Uttara Kanda
  8. Wikipedia, "Shiva" and "Jyotirlinga" (accessed Oct 2026)

Read our editorial policy on how scripture, Purana and folk tradition are labelled.

Continue exploring

Connected to Shiva

Open the explorer
Avatars & formsHanumanहनुमानPlaces & templesKedarnathकेदारनाथStories & mythsThe Birth of Ganeshaगणेश का जन्मChildrenGaneshaगणेशAartis & mantrasOm Jai Shiv Omkaraॐ जय शिव ओंकाराWeaponsTrishulaत्रिशूलSerpentVasukiवासुकिConsortParvatiपार्वतीMountNandiनंदीObjectsDamaruडमरूAbodeKailashकैलाशFestivalsMaha Shivaratriमहाशिवरात्रि