Hindi

• Shivaratri


  The most special day for Shiva
• Shiva


  • Seated in deep meditation
  • Very handsome
  • Means auspiciousness
  • Worshipped at home and in temples
• Shaivism is a very popular sect among Hindus
• Shiva


  • The most complex and diametrically opposed form of Ultimate Reality
  • At times dreadful and terrible
  • At other times benevolent and auspicious
• Shiva linga


  A very important representation of Shiva's form
• Shiva's family


  • Two sons: Ganesh and Kartikeya
  • Consort: Parvati
• Shiva's names


  • Shambu: Means happiness, brings happiness to devotees
  • Mahadev: The Supreme One
  • Rudra: Personification of destruction and disintegration
  • Nataraja: King of dance, dances to keep the world in equilibrium
  • Yogiraj: Seated in meditation, motionless, a great yogi
  • Mahakala: Lord of time
• Shiva


  • Embodiment of the past, present and future
  • Associated with the three gunas
• Crescent moon


  • Indication of Shiva's association with time
  • Spirit of coolness and calmness
• Serpent


  • Signifies the Kundalini or serpent power
  • Endless cycle of the recurrent years is closely associated with him
• Tiger skin


  • All the animal impulses have been destroyed by Him
• Ganges


  • Shows his link with water and the process of purification
  • May also mean knowledge, Shiva redeems and purifies
• Devotees carry 'Kawars' on their shoulders on the occasion of Maha Shivaratri
• Popular chants on Maha Shivaratri include 'Om Namah Shivaya', 'Bam Bam Bole' and 'Hare Hare Mahadev'
• There is a Shivala in most localities
• Shiva


  • One of the most significant forms of the Supreme Reality
  • Worship dates back from the Vedic age
  • Holds a very special place for most Hindus, particularly the Shaivas
  • Third member of the Hindu Trinity
  • Devotees invoke Him to obtain His blessings
  • Believed to free devotees from any kind of hindrance affecting their moral and spiritual life
• Garland of skulls


  • Points to successive dissolution of races of mankind as well as regeneration of human races
• Himalaya


  • Abode of snow
• Blue-throat or Nilkanta


  • Believed that in His compassion He consumed deadly poison and eliminated them for humanity
• Nandi


  • Devotees are expected to win over passions
  • May also stand for Kama
• Begging-bowl


  • Renunciation is a great virtue
• Mirror


  • The world is a reflection of Shiva
• Damru


  • Sound has come from him
  • Points to the linguistic elements of life
• The iconographic features and attributes of Shiva are all symbolical in nature
• They allow us to appreciate Shiva in his different capacities and encourage us to go deep in our worship
• Hindu Trinity


  Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva regarded as the creator, preserver and destroyer respectively
• The tolerant spirit of Hindus can be observed in the practice of Hindu devotionalism
• One can find in Hindu temples, different forms of the Supreme Being adored and worshipped
• Vaishnavism


  One of the most popular sects in Hinduism
• Vishnu


  The Protector and the Preserver in Hindu Religion
• Devotees consider Vishnu as the One who gives security to them, whenever there are threats of any kind
• Vishnu's ten Avataras


  • Very popular and play an important role in the development of Hindu devotion and worship
• Whenever Vishnu manifests as an Avatara, Luxmi is associated with Him in Her different forms
• Vishnu


  The Compassionate One, the Benevolent One and the One who takes care of His devotees as the guardian
• Vishnu


  Also known as the Power of Light, Hari and Narayana
• Vishnu constantly manifests on earth to restore peace, Dharma and equilibrium whenever the universe is threatened by destructive forces
• In the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, Vishnu plays important roles
• The churning of the ocean


  Depicts the efforts one must undergo in order to achieve success and aims at churning the best in us to transform ourselves in line with Dharma
• Vishnu as the Preserver

  One can trace managerial skills needed to make life successful
• In a spirit of selflessness and in accordance with Dharma, life is given proper direction