Shiva

Shiva
God of Creation, Destruction, Regeneration, Meditation, Arts, Yoga and Moksha
An artistic representation of Shiva, surrounded by 12 Jyotirlingas
Sanskrit transliteration	Śiva
Affiliation	Supreme Being (Shaivism) Trimurti Deva
Abode	Mount Kailash
Mantra	Om Namah Shivaya
Weapon	Trishula
Symbols	Lingam
Consort	Sati Parvati
Children	Ganesh Kartikey Ashokasundari Narmada Ayappan
Mount	Nandi
Festivals	Maha Shivaratri, Bhairava Ashtami.

Shiva (சிவ Tamil; /ˈʃivə/; Sanskrit: Śiva, lit. the auspicious one; Hindi: शिव) is one of the principal deities of Hinduism. He is the supreme God within Shaivism, one of the three most influential denominations in contemporary Hinduism.

Shiva is "the transformer" within the Trimurti, the Hindu trinity that includes Brahma and Vishnu. In Shaivism tradition, Shiva is the Supreme being who creates, protects and transforms the universe. In the goddess tradition of Hinduism called Shaktism, the goddess is described as supreme, yet Shiva is revered along with Vishnu and Brahma. A goddess is stated to be the energy and creative power (Shakti) of each, with Parvati the equal complementary partner of Shiva. He is one of the five equivalent deities in Panchayatana puja of the Smarta tradition of Hinduism.

At the highest level, Shiva is regarded as formless, limitless, transcendent and unchanging absolute Brahman, and the primal Atman (soul, self) of the universe. Shiva has many benevolent and fearsome depictions. In benevolent aspects, he is depicted as an omniscient Yogi who lives an ascetic life on Mount Kailash as well as a householder with wife Parvati and his two children, Ganesha and Kartikeya. In his fierce aspects, he is often depicted slaying demons. Shiva is also known as Adiyogi Shiva regarded as the patron god of yoga, meditation and arts.