Lord Shiva is depicted with ten hands and five heads

Here Lord Shiva is depicted with ten hands and five heads, four facing each of the four directions and one embedded in his matted locks, facing upwards. A fifth head at the back of his head lies invisible. Each of the faces has three eyes. His ten hands hold various implements:

The right hands hold the following : Trident (trishul), damaru ( tabor-drum); a skull-cup with a lock of hair; sword, and finally a live serpent.

The left hands hold: a staff tipped with a skull; conch; a red banner; a flamed torch, and lastly a shield.

The upper part of Shiva's body is nearly bare, being only partially draped in an elephant skin, the head of which can be seen on his left shoulder. The lower torso is clothed in a tiger skin, the paws of which slain animal are visible just under the crossed legs of Shiva.

From his awesome ensemble of heads flows the Ganges, and also hang down locks flowing across his chest like venomous snakes. The hair on his chest too seems vibrant like an army of ants. A black serpent placed on the neck compliments the necklace containing a serpentine amulet, in addition he wears a garland of white kaner flowers and another one composed of severed human heads.

Lord Shiva in warrior chieftain portrait

Lord Shiva in warrior chieftain portrait

Lord Shiva Panchanana

Lord Shiva Panchanana.
Normally Lord Shiva is worshipped as Shiva Linga. Shivalingas with five faces are also found in some places. The Names of the five faces are:

Sadyojat,
Vamdev,
Aghoraa,
Tatpurush and
Îshana.

These four faces of Shiva represent the four directions. The fifth face which points skywards is the universal face symbolic of purity and spiritual progress.

This rare prayer in each stanza addresses each one of these five faces of Shiva, the 4 Vedas and Om.

Praleyachala mindu kunda davalam goksheera phena prabham,
Bhasmabhyanga mananga deha dahana jwaala valee lochanam,
Vishnu brahmarul ganarchitha padanjargwedha nadhodhayam,
Vandeham sakalam kalanga rahitham Sthanormukham paschimam., 1

I salute the western face of the ever stable God,
Who is everything and without any trace of stain,
Who is as white as snow mountain, moon and the jasmine,
Who is as shining as the foam of the boiling milk,
Who has a body applied with white sacred ash,
Who has eyes which burnt the body of god of love,
Who is worshipped by Vishnu, Brahma and Ganas,
And whose reverberations give rise to Rig Veda.

Gouram kumkuma pangilam suthilakam vyapandu ganda sthalam,
Broovikshepa kadaksha veekshshana lasad samsaktha karnodhphalam,
Snighdham bimbaphaladharam prahasitham neelala kalamkrutham,
Vande yajusha veda gosha janakam vakthram harsyotharam., 2

I salute the northern face of Lord Shiva,
Which gives rise to the sound of Yajur Veda,
Who is white and has a thilaka of Kumkum,
Who shines with an extremely white neck,
Who shines with shifting side long glances,
Who is affectionate and has lips as red as a cherry,
And who is pretty with his blue hair locks and his smile.

Samvarthagni thadith prathaptha kanaka praspardhi thejo mayam,
Gambeera dhwani sama veda janakam thamradharam sundaram,
Ardhendu dhyuthi phaala pingala jata bhara prabhadhoragam,
Vande sidha surasurendra namitham poorvam mukham soolina., 3

I salute the eastern face of the holder of the trident,
Who is worshipped Sidhas, devas, asuras and their kings,
Who has more shine than the Gold purified again and again,
Who is the source of Sama Veda recited in regal tone,
Who has red pretty lips of the colour of copper,
And who has decorated his matted locks,
With the crescent of the moon and a serpent.

Kalabhra bramaranjana dhyuthi nibham vyavartha pingekshanam,
Karnodhbasitha bhoghi masthaka maniprothphulla damshtrakuram,
Sarpa prothaka pala shukthisaka lavyakeernasachhekaram,
Vande dakshina meswarasya vadanachaadharva vedhodhayam., 4

I salute the southern face of the God of all,
Which gives rise to the Atharva Veda,
Who has the shine of black cloud, bee and Collyrium,
Who has brown eyes which rotate,
Who has teeth which are clearly seen in the shine in the light,
Of the Gem in the heads of the snakes which reside in his ears,
And who has the shine of the crescent in the head decorated by the snake.

Vyaktha vyaktha niroopitham cha paramam shad thrimsa thathwadhikam,
Thasmad uthara thatwa maksharamithi dheyyam sada yogibhi,
Omkaaradhi samastha manthra janakam sookshmadhi sookshmam param,
Vande panchamamneeswarasya vadanam Kham vyapi thejo mayam., 5

I salute that fifth face facing the sky of Iswara,
Which is divine and greater than greatest,
Which is greater than the thirty six principles,
That cannot be classified as clear or unclear,
Which is meditated upon by great sages,
As the greatest and deathless principle,
Which is the origin of mantras like “Om”,
And which is smaller than the smallest.

Yethani pancha vadananbi Maheswarasya,
Ye keerthayanthi purusha sathatham pradoshe,
Gachanthi they Shiva purim ruchirair vimanai,
Kredanthi nandana vane saha loka palai.

Than man who reads this great prayer,
Addressed to the five faces of the great God,
Without fail on the Pradosha days,
Would travel in a pretty airplane to the town of Shiva,
And would spend his time playing with Gods.

source : FB

Shivrudra abhishek with 108 dhara

Shivrudra abhishek with 108 dhara

Har Har Mahadev Lord Shiva

Har Har Mahadev Lord Shiva

DEVON KE DEV , HAR HAR MAHADEV

Aum namao śivāya (ॐ नमं: शिवायं)

Lord Shiva  Lord Shiva is one the supreme deity in  Hinduism. Shiva is one of the Trimurti, along with Brahma the Creator and  Lord Vishnu विष्णु)   the Preserver. Shiva is usually represented by the Shiva linga.  In Hindu scriptures it is called  Mahadeva (महादेव),  Maheshwar (महेश्वर) and and Parameśvara the Supreme Lord. Lord Shiva is revered as the ultimate controller of birth and death in the phenomenal world. Lord Shiva represents the aspect of the Supreme Being  that continuously dissolves to recreate in the cyclic process of creation, preservation, dissolution and recreation of the universe.  Attributes of Lord Shiva    The images of Shiva vary significantly in their symbolism.  The unclad body covered with ashes:  The unclad body of Lord Shiva covered the ashes signify that Shiva is the source of the entire universe which emanates from Him, but He transcends the physical phenomena and is not affected by it.  Matted locks:  The three matted locks on the head of the Lord convey the idea that integration of the physical, mental and spiritual energies is the ideal of yoga. Ganga:   Ganga, symbolically represented on the head of the Lord by a female (Mother Ganga) with a jet of water emanating from her mouth and falling on the ground, signifies that the Lord destroys sin, removes ignorance, and bestows knowledge, purity and peace on the devotees. The crescent moon: The crescent moon is only one of His ornaments. Three eyes:  Lord Shiva, also called Tryambaka Deva , is depicted as having three eyes: the sun is His right eye, the moon the left eye and fire the third eye. Half-open eyes: When the Lord opens His eyes, a new cycle of creation emerges and when He closes them, the universe dissolves for creation of the next cycle. The half-open eyes convey the idea that creation is going through cyclic process, with no beginning no end. Kundalas (two ear rings): Two Kundalas, Alakshya and Niranjan in the ears of the Lord symbolize the Shiva and Shakti (male and female) or Ardha-Nariswara principle of creation. Snake around the neck: The snakes to symbolize the yogic power of Lord Shiva with which He dissolves and recreates the universe.  A snake (Vasuki Naga): The snake is shown curled three times around the neck of the Lord and is looking towards His right side. The three coils of the snake symbolize the past, present and future - time in cycles.

Aum namao śivāya (ॐ नमं: शिवायं)         ॐ नम: शम्भवाय च मयोभवाय च    नम: शंकराय च मयस्कराय च    नम: शिवाय च शिवतराय च।।    (Yajurveda)          Shiva Parivar:         During Samudra Manthan Lord Shiva drank this     poison and held it in his throat by binding it with a

Rudraksha necklace: Rudra is another name of Shiva. Rudraksha necklace worn by the Lord illustrates that He uses His cosmic laws firmly - without compromise - to maintain law and order in the universe. Varda Mudra: Lord Shiva's right hand is shown in a boon- bestowing and blessing pose, which annihilates evil, grants boons, bestows grace, destroys ignorance, and awakens wisdom in His devotees. Trident (Trisula): A three-pronged trident shown adjacent to the Lord symbolizes His three fundamental powers (shakti) of will (iccha), action (kriya) and knowledge  (jnana).  Damaru (drum): Damaru symbolizes the two utterly dissimilar states of existence, unmanifest and manifest.  . Kamandalu: A water pot (Kamandalu) made from a dry pumpkin contains nectar and is shown on the ground next to Shiva signifies that, an individual must break away from attachment to the physical world and clean his inner self of egoistic desires in order to experience the bliss of the Self. Nandi: The bull is associated with Shiva and said to be His vehicle. Tiger skin:  A tiger skin symbolizes potential energy. Cremation ground:  Shiva sitting in the cremation ground signifies that He is the controller of death in the physical world.     Shiva as supreme deity  Lord Shiva is the Lord of mercy and compassion. He protects devotees from evil forces such as lust, greed, and anger. He grants boons, bestows grace and awakens wisdom in His devotees.  Veda, Purans, Upnishdas, Sruti and Smarti, Brahmins and all Hindu scriptures accepts that ay one who worships Lord Shiva can attain The Supreme Bliss and Moksha.   Rig Veda:  Rudra is mentioned along with a litany of other deities in Rig Veda 7.40.5. The RV 6.49.10 calls Rudra as " The Father of the Universe". (bhuvanasya pitarah) भुवनस्य पितरं गीर्भिराभी रुद्रं दिवा वर्धया रुद्रमक्तौ | बर्हन्तं रष्वमजरं सुषुम्नं रधग घुवेम कविनेषितासः || bhuvanasya pitaram ghīrbhirābhī rudram divā vardhayā rudramaktau | brhantam rshvamajaram sushmnam rdhagh ghuvema kavineshitās     'Rudra by day, Rudra at night we honour with these our songs, the Universe's Father. Him great and lofty, blissful, undecaying let us call specially as the Sage  impels us '   The RV 2.33.9 calls Rudra as "The Lord or Sovereign of the Universe" (īśānādasya bhuvanasya)  सथिरेभिरङगैः पुरुरूप उग्रो बभ्रुः शुक्रेभिः पिपिशेहिरण्यैः | ईशानादस्य भुवनस्य भूरेर्न वा उ योषद रुद्रादसुर्यम ||   sthirebhiranghaih pururūpa ughro babhruh śukrebhih pipiśehiranyaih | īśānādasya bhuvanasya bhūrerna vā u yoshad rudrādasuryam ||   'With firm limbs, multiform, the strong, the tawny adorns himself with bright gold decorations: The strength of Godhead never departs from Rudra, him who is Sovereign of this world, the mighty.'  Yajur Veda: In the various recensions of the Yajur Veda is included a litany of stanzas praising Rudra: (Maitrāyanī-Samhitā 2.9.2, Kāthaka-Samhitā 17.11, Taittirīya-Samhitā 4.5.1, and Vājasaneyi-Samhitā 16.1–14).    Forms of Shiva  Aspects of Lord Siva: Siva is known by several names and worshipped in various forms as: Panchanana Siva:  In some temples Siva is shown with five faces. These five faces are Isana, Tatpurusa, Aghora, Vamadeva and Sadyojata. Isana faces south east and represents Iswara aspect of Siva known as Sadasiva, or the Eternal Siva. Tatpurusha faces the east. He is Siva in his aspect as a deluded purusha or ego. Aghora faces the south and represents the destructive and regenerative aspect of Siva that, like fire, first devours life and then prepares the ground for its renewal. Vamadeva faces north. He is healer and preserver. Sadyojata faces west and represents creative power of Siva. Anugrahamurthy:  This is the milder or peaceful aspect of Lord Shiva when he is in the company of his beloved devotees or his family members. Ugramurthy:   Also known as Raudra , Bhairava, Kankala or Samharamurthy, this is the ferocious or angry form of Siva, generally associated with the events during which Siva assumed his terrible form to slay the demons or the wicked. Tandavamurthy:  Lord Siva in the Tandav dance forms. Dakshinamurthy:  This is Siva in his aspect as the universal teacher, teaching the secrets of yoga, tantras, yantras, alchemy, magic, occult knowledge, arts and sciences, ancient history or knowledge of the future to the sages and saints, gods and goddesses and his devotees. Lingodhbhava-murthy: This image signifies the importance of Siva in the form of Linga as the Supreme Self, without a beginning and without an end. Bhikshatana-murthi. This is Siva in his ascetic aspect, wandering from place to place, with a begging bowl made of human skull, doing penance or lost in his own thoughts.  Hridaya-murthy: This is Siva in a mood of reconciliation and friendship with Vishnu.  Natraja :  Shiva Nataraj's dance represents both the destruction and the creation of the universe and reveals the cycles of death, birth and rebirth. His Dance of Bliss is for the welfare of the world. Under his feet, Shiva crushes the demon of ignorance called Apasmara Purusha, caused by forgetfulness. Stories of Lord Shiva  There are many stories related to Lord Shiva   Samudra manthan   During the samudra manthan by the Gods and demons, a poison (haalaa-hala) came out of the ocean, which was so toxic that its effect would have wiped out the entire creation. With the advice of  Lord Vishnu विष्णु)  , the gods approached Mahadev and prayed to him to protect their lives by consuming this poison. Pleased with their prayers, out of compassion for living beings, Lord Shiva drank this poison and held it in his throat by binding it with a snake. The throat became blue due to the poison (Thus Lord Shiva is also known as  Neelakantha) and Shiva remained unharmed. This shows that shiva is also the protector.     Shiva linga    Shiva Linga is the holy symbol of Lord Shiva. The Shiv linga is Maheswara Himself, the Highest Self and the Lord of the universe. Spiritually it represents the union between Purusha and Prakriti, the highest principles of the manifest universe. It has three parts. The lower part represents Brahma. The middle part, which is octagonal in shape, represents Vishnu. The upper part, which is cylindrical in shape, represents Rudra. Shivaling the body of Shiva is the most powerful and popular symbol in entire Hinduism. In almost all the Shiva temples, worship is generally made to Shivalingas only. A temporary Maha Shivalingam of 108-foot is ready for Shivaratri Puja in Gymkhana Grounds, Secunderabad (Hyderabad). This Maha Shiva Lingam is funded by the Sri Vijayananda Guru Seva Samiti Charitable Trust. It is known to be the tallest Shivalingam ever to be built in India.

Amarnath ice shiva linga    In Amarnath Yatra   pilgrims travel on foot, either from Srinigar or from Pahalgam. Amarnath caves (अमरनाथ गुफा) are one of the most famous shrines in Hinduism, dedicated to the Lord  Shiva, located in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. The shrine is claimed to be over 5,000 years old and forms an important part of ancient Hindu mythology. The cave is situated at an altitude of 3,888 m (12,760 ft), about 141 km (88 mi) from Srinagar, the capital of Jammu and Kashmir.    Inside the main Amarnath cave lies an ice Shiva Linga. This lingam is said to grow and shrink with the phases of the moon, reaching its height during the summer festival. The cave is about 150 feet high and 90 feet long. According to Hindu mythology, this is the cave where Shiva explained the secret of life and eternity to his divine consort Parvati. Inside the main Amarnath cave lies an ice stalagmite, worshipped by devotees as the Shiva Lingam (the phallic symbol of Shiva), which waxes during May to August and gradually wanes thereafter.  There are two other ice formations representing Parvati and Shiva's son, Lord Ganesha (श्री गणेश)  According to the sources, over 500,000 pilgrims have gone on a trek this year 2012 to Amarnath .Tragically, many of them will never return. According to government data, at least 80 people have died so far this year since pilgrims first started heading on the trek more than three weeks ago.    Other names of Shiva   In Shivasahastrnam 108 names of Lord Shiva are given as:   Shiva (शिव) ,  Pashupati (पशुपति),  Nīlakantha (नीलकण्ठ).  Chandraśekhara (चन्द्रशेखर),   Rudra (रुद्र),   Mahākāla (महाकाल),  Śankara ( शंकर),  Śambhu (शम्भु),  Nataraja ( नटराज),  Kailāsagirivāsī (कैलासगिरिवासी),   Mahadeva (महादेव),   Maheshwar (महेश्वर),  Tripurāntaka ( त्रिपुरान्तक)  Trinetra (त्रिनेत्र),   Bhootnatha (भूतनाथ),  Gangadhar (गगांघर)  Lord Shiva Family   Shiva Parivar: Lord Shiva with wife, Parvati (also known as Umā), and two sons, Ganesha and Skanda. Lord Shiva is called Umāpati, Umākānta and Umādhava, also appear in the sahasranama.  Umā  is identified with Devi, the Divine Mother, and with Shakti  Shiva and Parvati are the parents of Karthikeya and Ganesha. Karttikeya is popular in southern India by the names Subrahmanya and Murugan, and in northern India he is more popular by the name Skanda, Kumara, or Karttikeya.    Nandi   Nandi or the bull is associated with Shiva and is said to be His vehicle. The bull symbolizes both power and ignorance. Lord Shiva's use of the bull as a vehicle conveys the idea that He removes ignorance and bestows power of wisdom on His devotees. The bull is called Vrisha means dharma.     Rudraaksha      According to the Padma Purana, a human being obtains a lakh fold merit by seeing a Rudraaksha bead, a crore fold merit by touching it, and ten crores of merit by wearing it on his/her body. You can get spiritual merits by reciting hymns using the Rudraaksha mala. A human being that holds a Rudraaksha on his body becomes free of all sins.   The different types of Rudraaksha seeds are found as:  1. Ek Mukhi (or one-faced): It is considered the mother of all Rudraaksha. It gives all worldly enjoyments and finally salvation.  2. Two-faced: This bead represents Lord Rudra and his consort Goddess Parvati. This bead helps the wearer concentrate his/her mind, and increase spiritual power.  3. Three-faced: This bead represents the Lord of Fire, and is used for avoiding bad luck,  disease-free bodies, and acquiring wealth and education.  4. Four-faced: This bead represents Lord Brahma. It purify the mind and removes all worries.  5. Five-faced: This bead is used to please the five Brahmaas. The wearer can have success in all walks of life, ward off disease, and acquire wealth.  6. Six-faced: This bead represents Lord Kartikeya, healing qualities to cure hysteria, fits,  7. Seven-faced: This bead represents the Sapta Rishis, and helps the wearer to attain wealth, respect, and spiritual power.  8. Eight-faced: This bead represents Lord Ganesh. The wearer of this bead is blessed with all the comforts of life, truthfulness, and longevity.  9. Nine-faced: This bead represents Bhairava, Yama, and Kapil Muni. It is worn on the left arm, especially during Navratri.  10. Ten-faced: This bead represents Lord Vishnu. The wearer is protected from the evil influence of all planets. 11. Eleven-faced: This bead represents Lord Indra. It has eleven strengths of eleven deities and gives and gives enormous wealth. 12. Twelve-faced: This bead also represents Lord Vishnu. It will provide him/her with all kinds of wealth and comforts. 13. Thirteen-faced: This bead represents the Vishwa-devaas. The wearer of this bead attains moksha, and is able to fulfill all desires in life. 14. Fourteen-faced: This bead represents Lord Shiva and Lord Hanuman. It cures several diseases.   Jyotilinga Shrines of Lord Shiva     The Dwadasa Jyotirlinga shrines or the 12 shrines enshrining Shiva in the form of a Jyotirlingam, have been held in reverence since time immemorial in the Indian system of beliefs. The 12 Jyotirlinga shrines are:   Somnath: Somnath is the foremost of the 12 Jyotirlinga Shrines of Shiva, is located at Prabhas Patan in Saurashtra in Gujarat.   Mallikarjuna:   Mahakaleshwar:  Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga shrine is located in the ancient and historic city of Ujjain or Avanti in Madhya Pradesh.   Omkareshwar:  Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga shrine and the Amareshwar temple is situated on an island in the course of the river Narmada in Madhya Pradesh.   Kedarnath: Kedarnath, nestled in the snow clad Himalayas is an ancient shrine rich in legend and tradition.   Bhimashankar:  Bhimashankar - Jyotirlinga Shrine is located in the Sahyadri hills of Maharashtra. It is associated with the legend of Shiva destroying the demon Tripurasura.   Vishweswar:  The Vishwanath temple in Benares city  in Uttar Pradesh.   Tryambakeshwar - Tryambakeshwar Jyotirlinga shrine is situated near Nasik in Maharashtra on the origin of the river Godavari.

Natural Ice shivling Amarnath         The route to Amarnath          Nandi, the bull is associated with Shiva and is said  to be His vehicle.       Lord shiva and parvati         शिवंशान्तं सुन्दरम्  Paarvati Devi Mantra Sarva-mangal-maangalye, Shive Sarvaarth-saadhike Sharanye-triyambake Gauri,  Naaraayani Namo-stute  सर्वमङ्गलमाङ्गल्ये शिवे सर्वार्थसाधिके | शरण्येत्र्यम्बके गौरि नारायणी नमोsस्तुते || The Goddess Paarvati (or Gauri), the consort of Lord Shiva, is praised through this mantra. Paarvati is the one who brings good fortune and prosperity (-mangal-maangalye) to all (-sarva) her devotees. She is the one who is always and forever (-sarvaarth) accompanying Lord Shiva in all his meditations (-saadhike). O beautiful and fair-colored one (-gauri), please give us refuge (-sharanye) in the protection of the three- eyed one (-triyambake). We bow to you repeatedly as we sing the praises (namo-stute) of our protector, Goddess Paarvati (-naarayani), the consort of Lord Shiva.

Baidyanath:  Baidyanath Jyotirlinga shrine is situated in Jaisidi in West Begal.   Nageshwar: Nageshwar Jyotirlinga shrine is situated near Dwarka, Gujarat.   Grishneshwar:  Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga Shrine is a temple located in the vicinity of the tourist town of Ellora.    Rameswaram: This vast temple in the island of Rameswaram, in Southern Tamilnadu enshrines Ramalingeswarar, and is revered as the southernmost of the 12 Jyotirlinga shrines of India. This Shivastalam is considered to be one of the holiest shrines in India. This temple is associated with the Ramayana and Rama's victorious return from Sri Lanka.    Maha Shivratri ( महाशिवरात्रि)   Maha Shivaratri (महाशिवरात्रि)  or Shivaratri or Sivaratri (Night of Shiva) is a Hindu festival celebrated every year on the 14th day in the Krishna Paksha of the month Maagha in the Hindu Calendar. That day when Shiva manifested himself in the form of "Lingum" was the fourth day of the dark night in the month of 'Magha."  Maha Shivratri is being celebrated on 10th March 2013. The most significant practices on this day are offerings of Bael (Bilva) leaves to the Lord Shiva, fasting and all night long vigil. Once Goddess Parvarti asked Lord Shiva, Lord! You are the only source of dharma, artha, kama and moksha. Lord tell me how a person can please you. कर्मणा केन भगवन् व्रतेन तपसापि वा | धर्माथकाममोक्षाणां हेतुस्त्वं परितुष्यसि ||    Lord Shiva replied, "the dark night of chaturdashi of Falgun Krishna paksha is called Shivaratri". The person who observe fast on that day will satisfy me...."    Shiva Sloka    The main Mantra  of Lord Shiva is     Aum namao śivāya (ॐ नमं: शिवायं)   Daily prayer of Lord Shiva  कर्पूरगौरं करूणावतारं संसारसारं भुजगेन्द्रहारम्। सदा वसन्तं ह्रदयारविन्दे भवं भवानीसहितं नमामि।।  Other important Lord Shiva Prayer is  Om Sarva Mangal Manglaye Shivay Sarvaarth Sadhike Sharanye Trayambake Gauri Narayaani Namostu Te  [Meaning: Oh the divine couple Shiva Parvati !  O ! Thee, the protectors of this universe, Along with Lords Brahma and Vishnu, We pray to You for our well-being, prosperity and the enlightenment of our souls.]   According to Hindu Panchang 'gupt navaratri' begins on Ashad Shukla Pratipad (July 2,2011) and it will end on Ashad shukla dashmi (July 10, 2011). According to scriptures, Lord Shiva and Goddess Shakti are worshipped during 'gupt navaratri'. Rituals performed during this time give you secret powers.   Temples of Lord Shiva   The Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple: It is  located in the holy city of Madurai, Tamil Nadu. According to Hindu legends, Lord Shiva, in the form of Sundareswarar, with his divine group of followers, appeared here in Madurai, to marry Pandya King Malayadwaja Pandya's daughter, Meenakshi, believed to be an incarnation of Hindu Goddess Parvati.    Bradhi Siva Temple  -Tanjjor      Pakshi Tirtha - Near Chennai    Ellora and Elephanta  Caves - Shiva    Temples     Mahabaleshwaram Shiva Temple Mumbai    Baidnath Temple - Kangra    Tarkeshwar Temple - West Bengal    Lingraja Temple - Bjhuwaneshwar, Orissa    Kujrahoo - Lord Shiva Temples    Kailash Mansarovar    Lord Shiva in other countries   Nepal: Shiva Ratri is celebrated on the 14th day of Krishna Pakshha in the Nepali month of Falgun in the famous Pasupatinath temple of Nepal.Thousands of people make their way to the Pashupati temple on this day to pay their respects to the lord of death. Women and men alike fast for the whole day and sing chants and hymns in praise of Shiva, including ‘Om Nama Shivaya’, till late into the night.  Trinidad: Long lines of Hindu devotees clad in white cotton took turns performing the ritual worship of Lord Shiva, at the Arouca Hindu Temple They offered containers of milk, honey, sugarcane, special sweets, coconut water and a variety of fruits at the Shiva lingam, as mantras were recited and the sound of conch shells and temple bells broke the silence.   FIJI:  Hindus around the country converged on their nearest temple yesterday to celebrate Maha Shivratri, or the Night of Shiva.The most significant practice on the day was the offerings of Bael leaves to the Lord Shiva, fasting and staying up for an all-night vigil.    Canada:  Canada Government has reportedly funded a documentary on Lord Shiva, one of the divine trio of the Hindus-Brahma-Vishnu-Shiva. Titled “The Great Night of Shiva”, which is premiering on February 23, 2011 revolves around extremely auspicious Mahashivaratri festival celebrated in honor of Lord Shiva,  on March 3, 2011 ..  Mauritius:  Lord shiva is also prayed by Hindus in Mauritius. We also celebrate maha shivratree here. in fact we have got the ganga talao from where we take the pavitra jal and we have got one shiv ling called the mauriseshwarnath at ganga talao reports our reader Oomeshwaree Sookmanee on February 18, 2010 .  Nevada (US): Prestigious Rijks Museum in Amsterdam in January 2012 conducted an X-ray of its thousand-year-old monumental Shiva-Nataraja statue as a part of research and was surprised to know that it was cast in solid bronze. At 153 cm x 114.5 cm, this 300 kilograms Shiva statue is claimed to be the largest known bronze statue from the Chola Dynasty kept in a museological collection outside of India. "This solid bronze Shiva is evidence of a high level of mastery of bronze casting", a Museum release says.   Lord Shiva Nataraja  Shiva Nataraj's dance represents both the destruction and the creation of the universe and reveals the cycles of death, birth and rebirth. Nataraja is  a depiction of Lord Shiva as the cosmic dancer who performs his divine dance to destroy a weary universe and make preparations for god Brahma to start the process of creation.  This dance is called the Dance of Bliss, ananda tandava. As the Lord of Dance, Nataraja, Shiva performs the tandava, the dance in which the universe is created, maintained, and dissolved. Nataraj is a visual interpretation of Brahman and a dance posture of Lord Shiv. It is the representation of reality at the time of cosmic destruction. The dwarf on which Nataraja dances is the demon Apasmara, which symbolises Shiva's victory over ignorance  source : gits4u.com

SHIVLINGAM