Shiva is third of the 3 principle deities called Trimurti- literally 3 deities- representing creation, sustenance and destruction of the universe. These 3 deities have been called the Hindu Triad or the great Trinity. Sometimes called the greatest god, Mahadev, amongst the holy trinity, he is the patron god of Yoga, meditation and the arts. He is known to have contrasting personalities that of anger, bravery, calm, meditative and carefree dancing depending on the situation.

He is linked with time itself, as a destroyer of all things, as well as associated with creation. Destruction and creation are inextricably linked — one cannot exist without the other—making Shiva particularly important. He is known as the destroyer of ignorance and ego to pave the way for growth and recreation.

Shiva also appears as Ardhnareshwar– a Sanskrit word for lord who is half woman- signifying that male and female principles are inseparable and therefore manifests in everyone. Here he is represented, in equal and complimentary parts of male and female (his consort Parvati) together. He is the only god in the trinity who is worshipped in an aniconic form of a Lingam (a representation of the inseparable union of Shiva and Shakthi).

The ‘Shiva’ or ‘Siva’ in early Vedic texts does not refer to a god but is related to something sacred and auspicious. It is only later that it is referred to as a deity, and Shiva is depicted with a serpent around his neck, the river Ganges emanating at his forehead, a crescent moon, a Trishul as his weapon, the third eye (symbolic of fire and attainment of clarity) on the forehead and seated in a state of deep meditation. His right eye is believed to be the sun, the left eye is the moon and his third eye represents fire. His left and right eyes indicate his activity in the physical world. The third eye of Shiva signifies the destruction of the world of Maya. It is an eye of wisdom.

He is also depicted in the form of ‘Nataraj,’ the divine dancer performing ‘TandavNritya’ which is the graceful dance form of the gods. His consort, Parvati is the goddess of fertility, love, beauty, harmony, marriage, children, and devotion.

Harihara is the fused representation of Vishnu (Hari) and Shiva (Hara) from the Hindu tradition. Harihara is also sometimes used as a philosophical term to denote the unity of Vishnu and Shiva as different aspects of the same ultimatereality called Brahman.