Lord Shiva Basics
This sacred mountain is believed to be the abode of Lord Shiva.
What is Mount Kailash?
The ritual bathing of the Shiva Lingam is called what?
What is Abhishekam?
Mahashivaratri falls on the Krishna Paksha Chaturdashi of the month of Phalguna (or Maasi in Tamil calendar), specifically on the night when the moon is in this waning phase just before Amavasya.
What is the 14th lunar day of the dark fortnight?
During which event did Shiva consume poison to save the universe?
What is Samudra Manthan
What object is most commonly worshipped on Mahashivaratri?
What is Shiva Lingam?
What is the weapon most commonly associated with Lord Shiva?
What is Trishul?
What practice do many devotees observe during Mahashivaratri?
What is fasting?
What does the snake around Shiva’s neck represent?
What is control over fear and ego?
What name did Shiva earn after holding poison in his throat?
What is Neelakanth
What did Parvati create from sandalwood paste that later became Shiva’s son?
Who is Lord Ganesha?
What sacred river is believed to flow from Lord Shiva’s hair?
What is Ganga/ The Ganges?
According to tradition, what is the ultimate goal of Mahashivaratri worship?
What is Moksha?
This symbol on Shiva’s body reminds devotees that all material things return to dust.
What is Vibhuthi?
Which demon was destroyed by Shiva's Ananda Tandava?
Who is Apasmara?
What powerful weapon did Shiva use to destroy Tripura?
What is Pashupatastra?
Which form of Shiva performed the cosmic dance of destruction?
What sacred leaves are especially offered to Lord Shiva?
What is Bilva/Bel Leaves?
On Mahashivaratri, this young devotee clung to a Shiva Linga and chanted the Mahamrityunjaya Mantra to escape death when Yama came to claim him, but Shiva gives this young devotee a boon
Who is Markandeya?
Which three demon cities were destroyed by Shiva in a single act?
What is Tripuranthaka?
Which classical Indian dance form visually represents Shiva as the Lord of Dance?
What is Bharathanatyam/Thandava Natyam?
What are the 5 elements of the Pancha Bhootha?
What is Earth (Prithvi), Water (Ap/Jal), Fire (Agni/Tejas), Air (Vayu), and Space/Ether (Akasha)?
This temple is the oldest Hindu temple in Kathmandu. 700,000 devotees visit here on Maha Shivaratri to pay regards to an incarnation of Lord Shiva (the temple namesake)
What is the Pashupathinath Temple?
Shiva appeared as an infinite pillar of light to teach Brahma and Vishnu a lesson about what concept?
What is Lingodbhava?
This avatar of Vishnu received his axe after undertaking a penance to please Shiva. He served as a mentor to Drona, Karna, and Bhishma during the Mahabharata
Who is Parashurama?
The Shvetashvatara Upanishad, one of the first texts that elevates the role of Shiva/Rudra in Hinduism, states the Māyā doctrine found in many schools of Hinduism. The text asserts that the this Sanskrit word for empirical nature is Māyā, and that the individual soul is caught up by this Māyā
What is Prakriti?