Stories on lord Shiva series - 24: From various sources of Shiva Purana

Lord shiva is adi and he is only the anthya. He is the sole reason for the happenings in both the movable and immovable worlds. Therefore, it is said that not even a spring of grass will move without his permission. He is the one who has given life to all the creatures. He is also the one who takes away the lives of all the creatures. Sadhus sages and aghoraas practice severe penance without minding day and night on Lord Shiva.

He blesses his devotees with boons. He is called Bole Shankar. All recite his five syllabled mantra or panchakshari mantra " om Namah Shivaya" which is the most popular one among all the other mantras. Lord Shiva who is also called Parameswara is the one who has got no birth and death. He is only the beginning and he is the end. Nandi which happens to be the vehicle of Lord Shiva is a bull. The abode of Lord Shiva is Mount Kailash. In Hindu religion Lord Shiva is called Devaadi Deva Mahadeva which means God for all the Gods. He is the supreme God. Lord Shiva has three eyes. The third eye is situated in between his brows. The third eye is used by him only whenever he wants to destroy the things. He is the one who dwells at cemetery.

Once Lord Shiva had presented his dancing skills before the sage Bharata. He had one follower while dancing whose name was Tandava. That's how it became Shiva Tandava. During the time of Mahashivratri whosoever takes the darshan of Lord Shiva's twelve jyotirlingas they are believed to incur special blessings from Lord Shiva. In olden days where ever, Lord Shiva appeared on the planet Earth, in those places Shivalinga came out from the ground naturally such places became Jyotirlingas. Lord Shiva's favourite offering is bilva Patra. Dakshinamurthy is one of the forms of Lord Shiva. He is believed to bless us with divine knowledge and gives self-realization. He is the first Guru. The followers of Lord Shiva called Shaivites.

In Hinduism Lord Shiva is worshipped in the form of a Lingaa. Because of his matted hair he is called jataadhara. He is seen seated on a tiger skin. His abode is Mount Kailash. Lord Shiva is both ascetic and a householder. He wears a coiled snake around his neck whose name is Vasuki. That snake is coiled around Lord Shiva's neck three times which represent the past present and future. The flower named Datura is one of the favourite flowers of Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva's favourite weekday is Monday. The month of Shravan according to Hindu calendar is believed to be one of the favourite seasons which lord Shiva loves. Whosoever performs Pooja and worships Lord Shiva with great reverence in the month of shraavana will get blessings of Lord Shiva.