DeityShaivism
Shiva: Stories
शिवThe destroyer and transformer; lord of yogis and of the cosmic dance. Also called Mahadeva, Shankara, Shambhu, Rudra, Neelakantha, Pashupati, Bholenath, Maheshvara, Nataraja, Mahakala.
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.
Stories and legends
StoryThe Birth of Ganeshaगणेश का जन्मWhile she bathed, Parvati made a boy from turmeric paste to guard her door. Not knowing him, Shiva severed the boy's head — then restored him with an…
StorySamudra Manthanसमुद्र मंथनSamudra Manthan is the great churning of the ocean of milk, in which the devas and asuras together churn the cosmic sea to obtain amrita, the nectar of…Continue exploring
Open the explorerConnected to Shiva
Avatars & formsHanumanहनुमान
Places & templesKedarnathकेदारनाथStories & mythsThe Birth of Ganeshaगणेश का जन्म
ChildrenGaneshaगणेश
Aartis & mantrasOm Jai Shiv Omkaraॐ जय शिव ओंकारा
WeaponsTrishulaत्रिशूल
SerpentVasukiवासुकि
ConsortParvatiपार्वती
MountNandiनंदी
ObjectsDamaruडमरू
AbodeKailashकैलाश
FestivalsMaha Shivaratriमहाशिवरात्रि