Shiva Temple

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Shiva (/ˈʃivə/; Sanskrit: शिव, IAST: Śiva, lit. the auspicious one) is one of the principal deities of Hinduism. He is the Supreme Being within Shaivism, one of the major traditions within contemporary Hinduism.12]13] Shiva is the 'destroyer of evil and the transformer' within the Trimurti, the Hindu trinity that includes Brahma and Vishnu.1]14] In Shaivism tradition, Shiva is the Supreme being who creates, protects and transforms the universe.15]16]17] In the goddess tradition of Hinduism called Shaktism, the goddess is described as supreme, yet Shiva is revered along with Vishnu and Brahma. A goddess is stated to be the energy and creative power (Shakti) of each, with Parvati the equal complementary partner of Shiva.11]18] He is one of the five equivalent deities in Panchayatana puja of the Smarta tradition of Hinduism.12] According to the Shaivism sect, the highest form of Shiva is formless, limitless, transcendent and unchanging absolute Brahman,19] and the primal Atman (soul, self) of the universe.20]21]15] Shiva has many benevolent and fearsome depictions. In benevolent aspects, he is depicted as an omniscient Yogi who lives an ascetic life on Mount Kailash1] as well as a householder with wife Parvati and his two children, Ganesha and Kartikeya. In his fierce aspects, he is often depicted slaying demons. Shiva is also known as Adiyogi Shiva, regarded as the patron god of yoga, meditation and arts.22]23]24] The iconographical attributes of Shiva are the serpent around his neck, the adorning crescent moon, the holy river Ganga flowing from his matted hair, the third eye on his forehead, the trishula as his weapon and the damaru. He is usually worshipped in the aniconic form of Lingam.2] Shiva is a pan-Hindu deity, revered widely by Hindus, in India, Nepal and Sri Lanka.25]26] Contents hide] 1Etymology and other names 2Historical development and literature 2.1Indus Valley origins 2.2Vedic origins 2.2.1Rudra 2.2.2Agni 2.2.3Indra 2.3Later literature 2.4Assimilation of traditions 3Position within Hinduism 3.1Shaivism 3.2Vaishnavism 3.3Shaktism 3.4Smarta Tradition 3.5Yoga 3.6Trimurti 4Attributes 5Forms and depictions 5.1Destroyer and Benefactor 5.2Ascetic and householder 5.3Iconographic forms 5.4Lingam 5.5The five mantras 5.6Avatars 6Festivals 7Outside Indian subcontinent 8Other religions 9In contemporary culture 10See also 11References 12Sources 13External links