Shiva
The Divine Story
Lord Shiva, praised in the Rig Veda as 'Rudram' and in the Atharva Veda as 'Mahadeva', embodies the eternal consciousness. The Shiva Sahasranama glorifies him as 'Satchitananda Swarupa' - the embodiment of existence, consciousness, and bliss.
First Manifestation
Shiva is eternal and exists beyond time (Kaal-Ateet). His first earthly manifestation occurred as the cosmic Jyotirlinga during the creation of the universe, as described in the Shiva Purana.
Divine Purpose
To transform and regenerate the cosmos through destruction of ignorance (Avidya-nash), facilitate spiritual liberation (Moksha), and maintain the cosmic dance of creation-preservation-dissolution (Tandava).
Spiritual Significance
In the Shvetashvatara Upanishad, Shiva is called 'Maheshwara' - the supreme lord who controls Maya. As 'Nataraja', the Tirumular describes his cosmic dance as 'Ananda Tandava' - the dance of divine bliss that maintains universal rhythm.
Sacred Stories & Legends
Neelkanth - Halahala Paan
The Vishnu Purana narrates how during 'Samudra Manthan' (ocean churning), when 'Halahala' (cosmic poison) threatened creation, Shiva consumed it to save the universe, holding it in his throat which turned blue.
Teaching: Demonstrates 'Sarva-hitaishana' (welfare of all beings) and the divine quality of transforming negativity into protection, as described in the Skanda Purana
Nataraja - The Cosmic Dancer
The Padma Purana describes Shiva's 'Tandava Nritya' in the golden hall of Chidambaram, where his dance maintains the cosmic cycles of 'Srishti-Sthiti-Samhara' (creation-preservation-dissolution).
Teaching: Represents the eternal rhythm of existence and consciousness dancing in the cosmos, as expounded in the Natya Shastra and Agamic traditions
Ardhanarishwar - Divine Union
The Brahma Vaivarta Purana describes Shiva's form as 'Ardhanarishwar' - half male, half female, representing the unity of Shiva (consciousness) and Shakti (energy).
Teaching: Symbolizes the inseparable nature of awareness and power, teaching that creation emerges from the dance of consciousness and energy
Divine Family
Divine Consort
Mata Parvati (Uma, Durga, Shakti)
Divine Children
Lord Ganesha
Lord Kartikeya (Murugan)
Divine Parents
Self-manifested (Swayambhu)
Sacred Festivals
Maha Shivratri
Timing: Phalguna Krishna Chaturdashi (February/March)
Significance: The Shiva Purana declares this as the night of Shiva's cosmic dance. Devotees observe 'jagaran' (all-night vigil) and chant 'Om Namah Shivaya' to attain liberation
Shravan Somwar
Timing: Shravan month Mondays (July/August)
Significance: The Skanda Purana mentions Shravan as most dear to Shiva. Mondays are sacred as 'Soma' (moon) adorns his head, symbolizing the mind's coolness in meditation
Sacred Temples & Holy Shrines
Somnath Jyotirlinga
Location:Prabhas Patan, Gujarat, Gujarat, India
Period:Ancient origins, reconstructed multiple times, current structure 1951 CE
Architecture:Chalukya style architecture
Sacred Features:
Divine Significance: The first and most revered of the twelve Jyotirlingas, where Shiva manifested as an infinite pillar of light. Legend says the temple was first built by Somraj (Moon God) in gold, then by Ravana in silver, Krishna in wood, and King Bhimdev in stone.
Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga
Location:Srisailam, Andhra Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, India
Period:Ancient temple, major renovations in Vijayanagara period
Architecture:Dravidian architecture with intricate carvings
Sacred Features:
Divine Significance: Sacred Jyotirlinga where Shiva and Parvati both reside. The Skanda Purana narrates how Shiva and Parvati took residence here to console their son Kartikeya.
Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga
Location:Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, India
Period:Ancient temple, current structure from Maratha period
Architecture:Maratha style architecture with multiple levels
Sacred Features:
Divine Significance: The only Jyotirlinga facing south (Dakshinamukhi), considered the ruler of time (Mahakaal). The Shiva Purana describes its power to destroy negative planetary influences.
Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga
Location:Omkareshwar, Madhya Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, India
Period:Ancient temple, renovated multiple times
Architecture:Nagara style architecture
Sacred Features:
Divine Significance: Sacred island shaped like Om symbol where Shiva defeated demon Vindhya. The Shiva Purana describes how Narada's advice to Vindhya led to this divine manifestation.
Kedarnath Jyotirlinga
Location:Kedarnath, Uttarakhand, Uttarakhand, India
Period:Ancient temple, believed built by Pandavas, renovated by Adi Shankaracharya
Architecture:Himalayan stone architecture
Sacred Features:
Divine Significance: Highest Jyotirlinga in the Himalayas where Shiva manifested as a bull to escape the Pandavas. The Kedarkhand describes how Bhima tried to catch Shiva who merged into the ground, leaving the hump portion.
Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga
Location:Bhimashankar, Maharashtra, Maharashtra, India
Period:Ancient temple, major reconstruction in 18th century
Architecture:Hemadpanthi architectural style
Sacred Features:
Divine Significance: Jyotirlinga where Shiva defeated demon Bhima and manifested to protect his devotees. The Shiva Purana narrates the story of Bhima's terror and Shiva's intervention.
Kashi Vishwanath Jyotirlinga
Location:Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, India
Period:Ancient temple, current structure from 1780 CE, new corridor 2021
Architecture:Traditional Hindu temple with gold-plated domes
Sacred Features:
Divine Significance: Most sacred Jyotirlinga where Lord Shiva permanently resides. The Kashi Khanda states that even a glimpse of this lingam provides moksha, and those who die here attain liberation.
Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga
Location:Trimbak, Maharashtra, Maharashtra, India
Period:Ancient temple, current structure from Maratha period
Architecture:Maratha architectural style with black stone
Sacred Features:
Divine Significance: Source of river Godavari and site where Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva reside in one lingam. The Brahma Purana describes how sage Gautama's penance brought Ganga here as Godavari.
Vaidyanath Jyotirlinga
Location:Deoghar, Jharkhand, Jharkhand, India
Period:Ancient temple, major renovations in various periods
Architecture:Traditional North Indian temple architecture
Sacred Features:
Divine Significance: Sacred Jyotirlinga where Ravana performed intense penance and received Shiva's blessings. The Shiva Purana describes how Ravana carried this lingam from Kailash.
Nageshwar Jyotirlinga
Location:Dwarka, Gujarat, Gujarat, India
Period:Ancient temple, renovated multiple times
Architecture:Gujarat temple architecture
Sacred Features:
Divine Significance: Jyotirlinga where Shiva protected his devotee Supriya from demon Daruka. The Shiva Purana narrates how Shiva emerged from the earth to destroy the demon.
Rameshwar Jyotirlinga
Location:Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, Tamil Nadu, India
Period:Ancient temple, major construction 12th-16th century
Architecture:Dravidian architecture with longest corridors
Sacred Features:
Divine Significance: Sacred Jyotirlinga established by Lord Rama before his Lanka expedition. The Ramayana describes how Rama worshipped Shiva here to seek blessings for victory over Ravana.
Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga
Location:Ellora, Maharashtra, Maharashtra, India
Period:Built by Ahilyabai Holkar in 18th century on ancient site
Architecture:Maratha style red stone architecture
Sacred Features:
Divine Significance: The last and youngest Jyotirlinga, where Shiva appeared to devotee Kusuma. The Shiva Purana describes her unwavering devotion despite family persecution.