The word Chandra means moon. Shekhar means crest or peak. Because the moon adorns the head of Lord Shiva, he is called Chandra Shekhara.

The word Chandra means moon. Shekhar means crest or peak. Because the moon adorns the head of Lord Shiva, he is called Chandra Shekhara. The moon on Shivas forhead symbolises that the lord is the master of time and is timeless himself. In astrology, the moon denotes the mind. The tendency of the mind is very fickle. Wearing of the moon on his head by Shiva is also a sign of controlling the mind. If the mind wanders of then the goal can't be achieved. Shiva is always meditating in Himalayas and is a perfect yogi. He is cool headed and undisturbed in all situations represented by moon on his head. Rudraksha beads which he is shown with denote purity and the Mala symbolises concentration. The serpents around his neck signify the ego which once mastered can be worn as an ornament.

According to one interpretation, Daksha's curse on Chandra is the reason why Shiva wears crescent moon on his head. Twenty-seven of Daksha’s daughters were married to the moon-god Chandra. One of these wives was named Rohini and Chandra loved Rohini more than he loved the other wives. The other wives felt neglected and they complained to their father. Daksha repeatedly warned his son-in-law to devote himself equally to all twenty-seven wives. But Chandra was in no mood to listen. Daksha thereupon cursed Chandra that he would gradually fade away. Chandra sought advice from Brahma and Brahma told him that the only way was to pray to Shiva. Chandra went to Prabhasa teertha and made a linga on the banks of the river Saraswati. He prayed to Shiva for six months. At the end of the tapasya Shiva appeared before Chandra and offered to grant him a boon. Daksha's curse could not be entirely ignored. Ao Shiva decided During krishnapaksha Moon will wane. And during shuklapaksha moon will wax. Thus being the graceful Almighty, Lord Shiva wore the moon crescent on His head, making him grow for 15 days and decay for 15 days periodically. Chandra was delighted that Shiva blessed him, no matter what. The lingam to which Chandra prayed is Shri Somnath Ji in Gujrat, the first of the Jyotirlingas. 🙏🏻📿👁🔱🕉🌙🌀🐍🌕🌥💀🙏🏻

Jai Shri ChandraShekharaya Namah ~ Jai Shri Somnathaya Namah! 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
Shubh Ratri 🌕🕉✌️🙏