Shiva's Family & Home
This sacred Himalayan mountain is considered the eternal abode of Lord Shiva.
What is Mount Kailash?
Within the Trimurti, Shiva is assigned this primary cosmic role, contrasted with Brahma the creator and Vishnu the preserver.
What is the Destroyer?
This third eye on Shiva's forehead represents the destruction of evil and the awakening of this.
What is wisdom?
During the churning of the cosmic ocean (Samudra Manthan), Shiva drank this deadly poison to save the universe, turning his throat blue.
What is Halahala?
This famous six-syllable or five-syllable sacred mantra is the quintessential chant dedicated to Shiva.
What is Om Namah Shivaya?
She is the divine consort (wife) of Lord Shiva.
Who is Goddess Parvati?
This popular Sanskrit title translates literally to "Great God"
Who is Mahadev?
Shiva wears this venomous creature permanently draped around his neck like an ornament.
What is a snake (Vasuki)?
Shiva assumes this furious, destructive dance form when he is filled with divine rage or cosmic energy.
What is the Tandava?
This powerful healing and immortality-granting Vedic prayer dedicated to Shiva is chanted for health and longevity.
What is the Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra
This son of Shiva and Parvati has an elephant head and is the remover of obstacles.
Who is Lord Ganesha?
Shiva is often known by this title meaning the "Lord of Mercy and Kindness."
What is Karunakara?
Flowing from the top of Shiva’s matted hair (Jata), this sacred river represents purity and creation.
What is the Ganga?
Lord Vishnu once worshipped Shiva with this many lotus flowers, noticing one was missing just as he finished.
What is 1,000 flowers?
Devotees smear this sacred ash across their foreheads and bodies to symbolize the temporary nature of the physical world.
What is Vibhuti?
This son of Shiva rides a peacock and is known as the commander-in-chief of the gods.
Who is Kartikeya (Muruga / Subramanya)?
Meaning "easily pleased," this gentle epithet describes how quickly Shiva grants blessings to sincere devotees.
Who is Ashutosh?
Shiva holds this small, two-headed drum whose cosmic beat represents the rhythm of creation and time.
What is a Damaru?
Shiva created this terrifying being from the lock of his hair to kill Daksha.
Who is Veerabhadra?
This special leaf is considered the mandatory and most auspicious offering placed on a Shiva Lingam during worship.
What is a Bilva leaf?
This sacred bull serves as both Shiva’s primary mount and the guardian of his dwelling.
Who is Nandi?
This title refers to Shiva in his form as the supreme cosmic dancer.
Who is Nataraja?
Aniconic worship of Shiva is most commonly performed through this sacred, rounded symbol representing the formless absolute.
What is a Shiva Lingam?
This festival celebrates the miraculous night when Shiva performed the Tandava dance and married Goddess Parvati.
What is Maha Shivaratri?
Monday (Somvar) is traditionally dedicated to Shiva because "Soma" is another name for this object he wears.
What is the moon (Chandra)?