Siva means 'auspicious'. He is the last Deity of the Trinity. He is responsible for dissolution/destruction of the universe. The whole world is believed to sleep in Shiva after destruction until the next cycle of creation begins. Shiva is worshipped in the Linga form in temples. His pictures and images in the human form are found everywhere. He is snow-white in color or white as camphor. He has three eyes - the third eye being on the forehead between the eyebrows. The three eyes represent the sun, the moon, and fire, the three sources of energy - light, life, and heat. The third eye represents knowledge and wisdom. He also uses the third eye as weapon. By focusing it on the enemies, Shiva can destroy them with fire. He wears tiger skin and elephant skin: the former symbolizing the complete mastery over desire, while the latter symbolizes animal power. He is shown as having four hands - one holding a trident (Trisula) called Pinaka, which is a symbol of lightning. Hence he is known as god of storms. The second hand holds a drum (Damaru). The other two hands are in the position of protecting (Abhaya) and boon-giving (Varada). Trisula, the weapon of offense and defense, stands for the Gunas as well as the three processes of creation, preservation and destruction. Drum, producer of sounds, symbolizes the alphabets, grammar or language itself.

He is depicted as having a crown of long matted hair from which the river Ganga flows. In mythology, Shiva was described in a number of benevolent roles. In one instance, the Ganges River, which winds around Mount Meru in the Himalayas, falls in great torrents. Shiva, in order to break the fall, stands beneath the water making it fall on his matted locks and divide the water into seven holy rivers. Another story is that of Shiva performing a vital role during the churning of the ocean of milk (Amrita - ambrosia) so that Amrita would strengthen the gods in their struggle against demons. During the churning process, Vasuki, the churning rope, vomited poison which was to contaminate the Ambrosia. Shiva came forward and caught the poison in his mouth and held it in his throat. Hence he is" known as Neelakantta (black throat).

Shiva wears the crescent moon symbolizing the time in days or months. Serpents are found all over his body forming the necklace, the girdle, the Yagnopavita (sacred thread) and arm-bracelets. He is described as Aghora or horrible, Chanrasekhara or moon-crested, Gangadhara or bearer of Ganga, Girisha or mountain lord, Mahesha or great lord, Mrityunjaya or vanquisher of death, Pashupati or lord of animals, Sankara, Sarva, Sadaasiva, or Sambhu, auspicious, Tryambaka or three-eyed, Viswanath or lord of all.

However, in temples, you will only see Lord Shiva in the form of Linga. It was the angry sage Bhrugu who cursed him to be worshipped in the Linga form. Bhrugu was sent by other sages to test the three gods to find out which one was the greatest. When he went to visit Shiva, Shiva did not welcome him with due respect as he was immersed in a dance with his wife Parvathi. For this act of neglecting to welcome the sage, Bhrugu cursed him to be worshipped only in Linga form.

Nandi: Nandi the sacred cow is the vehicle (Vaahana) of Siva. Nandi means 'the happy one". According to Vayu Purana, He is the son of Kasyapa and Surabhi. His color is milky white. He has brown eyes with a huge body. He has a thick neck. His horns are considered to be as hard as diamonds. With their sharp red points, the horns tear up the world. He is found at the entrance of every Siva temple. He is shown as a humped bull reclining on a raised platform perpetually gazing at Lord Shiva. He is considered the symbol of fertility and strength. Nandi is embodiment of justice and virtue. He is also found on the emblem which appears on Siva's banners and Ghanta (bell) used in temples. He is also known as Nandikeswara, 'the lord of gladness' and 'the wanderer'.