Shiva - the Destoyer

Shiva the destroyer

Has three forms.

1. Maha yogi shows Shiva sitting cross-legged with a trident beside him. He has a cobra round his neck, a tiger print loin cloth and the River Ganges flowing through his hair.

The story tells that when the River Ganges came down to Earth it would have destroyed the Earth if it had not flown through Shiva’s hair.

2.Nataraj Is the Lord of the Dance who is shown dancing on a dwarf who represents ignorance.

It is said that it is Shiva’s dancing which keeps the world turning.

3. Lingum is a phallic symbol which represents fertility and over which milk is poured as an offering.