Shiva Avatars

Often, members ask if Lord Shiva has ever come as incarnation.
Member Kumar Aurojyoti has sent this detailed information, saying:
Namah Shivaya!! I am hereby sending an article on Shiva Avatars that are described in Shiva Purana. The book I referred to for this work was “Shiva Purana” in Hindi published by Gita Press.

Shiva Avatars

In the Shatarudra Samhita of Shiva Purana, various Shiva avatars are described. Lord Shiva has taken innumerable avatars. Only a few of them have been mentioned.
In the 19th Kalpa, called as "Shwetalohita" Kalpa, Shiva took the "Sadyojata" avatar. When Lord Brahma was meditating to get a son, a child was born whose body was shwetalohita or white & red. Then Brahma realized that he was none other than Shiva Himself and worshiped Him. Then in the 20th Kalpa called as "Rakta", Brahma was meditating to get a son. Then a son was born from him whose body was adorned with red garments and red garland. His eyes were red and also his ornaments. He was called as "Vamadeva".Then in the 21st Kalpa called as "Pitavasa", Brahma was again meditating to get a son. At that time a son was born from him who had worn yellow garments and had huge & powerful arms. Then Brahma came to know that he was Shiva in form of "Tatpurusha".Then in the next Kalpa the 22nd, Brahma was again thinking about creation when Shiva in form of a child appeared before him whose body color was black. He also wore black garment with a black turban in his head alongwith a black sacred thread around his body. His crown was even black and the sandal powder for applying in his body was also of black color. This avatar of Shiva was called as "Aghora".In the 23rd Kalpa called as "Vishwarupa", Brahma was again meditating to get a son, when Shiva appeared in form of a son called as "Ishana". His body color was white like crystal and he was decorated with all types of precious jewelry.
Lord Shiva also took 28 avatars called as "Yogeshwar" avatars** (One name is missing out of 28.Could not find it in Shiva Purana).They were as follows-
In the 7th Manwantara of Baraha Kalpa, Shiva had taken nine avatars. In that Kalpa in the Kali Yuga of first Chaturyuga, Shiva was born as "Shweta" Mahamuni (Rishi or Saint). In the 2nd Kaliyuga of Baraha Kalpa, Shiva was born as "Sutar" Rishi. In the 3rd Kaliyuga, Shiva was born as "Daman" Rishi. Then in the 4th to 9th Kaliyuga Shiva was born as "Suhotra", " Kanka", "Lokakshi", "Jaigishavya", "Dadhibahana" and "Rishav" Rishi respectively. In all these avatars Shiva was born to assist Vedavyas who also took avatar in the previous corresponding Dwapara Yugas to write the Vedas. In all of his nine avatars, Shiva had preached the Nivritti marga (Path of liberation by detachment).
Other "Yogeshwar" avatars were- "Tap","Atri","Bali","Goutam","Vedashira","Gokarna","Guhavasi","Shikhandi","Mali","Attahasa","Daruka","Langali Bheema","Shweta","Shuli","Mundishwara","Sahishnu","Somasharma" and "Lakuli"(at the time of Lord Krishna).

Shivji also took the following avatars.
1.Nandishwar-son of "Shilad" muni who worshipped Shiva to get a son like him. Later Nandishwar became the leader of Shiva Gana.
2.Kalabhairav- Shiva took this avatar on 8th day of dark fortnight of Margashirsha month(Krishna Paksha Ashtami).
3.Veerbhadra-Was born from Shiva's Jata(Hair) during Daksha Yagna when Sati sacrificed her life. Veerbhadra defeated the Gods who fought with Shiva ganas and cut the head of Daksha. Even Vishnu who was fighting the battle for Daksha was defeated by Veerbhadra.
4.Sharabha-Shiva took this avatar in form of a strange creature (half bird & half animal) to calm down Lord Nrusingha. (Somewhere it is mentioned that Sharabha defeated Nrusingha in a duel. Veerbhadra was sent by Shiva to calm down Lord Nrusingha. When Veerbhadra politely requested him to calm down, Nrusingha became even more furious. So to teach him a lesson, Veerbhadra took Sharabha avatar as per instructions of Shiva and tamed him)
5.Grihapati- Shiva was born as the son of Rishi "Vishwamitra" and his wife "Suchismati".