Shiva

About Shiva

Shiva is the ash-smeared yogi of the Himalayas, blue-throated from swallowing the world's poison. A crescent moon rests in his matted hair, the Ganga pours from it, and the serpent Vasuki coils his neck. A third eye burns on his forehead. He carries the trident and the Pinaka bow, and rides Nandi the bull. His wife Parvati shares half his body as Ardhanarishvara. Devotees chant the Maha Mrityunjaya mantra from the Rigveda for release from death, and the five syllables 'Namah Shivaya'. He is worshipped as the linga at twelve Jyotirlingas — Somnath, Kashi, Ujjain — especially on Maha Shivaratri.