Shiva, known as “The Auspicious One,” is a major deity in Hinduism and is worshipped as the supreme god in Shaivism. He is part of the Hindu Trinity, along with Brahma the Creator and Vishnu the Preserver, with Shiva’s role being that of the Destroyer or Transformer.
He is depicted in various forms: as a yogi engaged in deep meditation, as the lord of the dance (Nataraja), as a family man with his wife Parvati and sons Ganesha and Kartikeya, and also in fierce aspects where he is shown slaying demons. Shiva embodies the seemingly contradictory roles of ascetic and householder, master of fertility and destruction, and controller of poison and medicine.
Shiva’s iconography is rich and symbolic: he is often shown with a serpent around his neck, the crescent moon adorning his hair, the holy river Ganga flowing from his matted locks, a third eye on his forehead, and carrying a trident (trishula) as his weapon. His abode is Mount Kailash, and he is also associated with the sacred bull Nandi.
