Lord Shiva had a sister named Asawari Devi who was born to make goddess Parvati happy. Lord Shiva had no parents and Brahma is considered as his father with goddess Parvati as his wife.
It is said that height of lord Shiva matches to the head end of a fully grown male horse.
Five serpents around the neck and a garland of skulls are some of his ornament apart from ‘Rudraksh’ beads .
‘Bhairava’, a form of lord Shiva are associated with very old tradition of cremation ground asceticism that is practised by some groups. Shiva is also nicknamed as ‘inhabitant of the cremation ground’.
The ‘Trident’ , he carries in his right hand represents three gunas- Sattva, Rajas and Tamas which are the emblem of sovereignty. The ‘Damaru’ in his left hand represents the “OM” from which all languages are formed.
‘Pashupati’ which literally means ‘lord of cattle’ is a form of Shiva. This reflects his association with cattles. ‘Nandi’, the bull is favorite of the god. It is believed that any wish conveyed through ‘Nandi’ reaches directly to Shiva.
Mount Kailasa which is considered as abode of lord Shiva is conceived as resemblance of ‘Linga’ according to Hindu mythology.
‘Tandava-Lasya’ is the dance performed by lord Shiva when he requires the world or universe to be destroyed. While ‘Tandavanrtya’ is performed by lord Shiva, Lasya is regarded as female counterpart of Tandava.
The importance of Amarnath cave is related with the secret of immortality revealed to lord Shiva’s wife Parvati
