Shiva is one of the main deities of Hinduism, and the deity whom Shaivites worship as the supreme god. Among his common epithets are Shambhu (‘Benign’), Shankara (‘Beneficent’), Mahesha (‘Great Lord’), and Mahadeva (‘Great God’). He is often worshipped in the form of a lingam. Lord Shiva, also known as Mahadeva, Shankara, Bholenath, and Rudra, is one of the most revered Bhagawan in Hinduism. Widely known as the destroyer, Lord Shiva is the Supreme Being in Shavisim, a major Hindu Sampradaya (tradition). Shiva Nataraja (Lord of the Dance) Peter F (CC BY-SA) Ganga (the goddess who personified the river Ganges) was given to Shiva by Vishnu who could not take any more of the constant quarrels between his then three wives of Lakshmi (goddess of good fortune), Saraswati (goddess of wisdom) and Ganga. To cushion Ganga's fall to the earth, and prevent such a great river destroying civilisation, Shiva caught her in his hair topknot; once again, illustrating his quality of self-sacrifice. Learn about Lord Shiva, the third god of the Trimurti group, who is the destroyer and regenerator of the universe. Discover his history, forms, attributes, worship and mantras.
