Why do Shiva temples seem to have more visitors, but Vishnu temples generate more revenue? What's driving these differences?

 

While delivering a discourse, the revered Garikapati Narasimha Rao garu shared an interesting observation:

A devotee once asked him, "Among the many types of temples, why are Siva's temples always so crowded?"

He replied, " Close your eyes for a moment and visualize a picture of the Siva family—whether one you have at home or one you have seen elsewhere. Lord Siva sits there with a gentle smile. Goddess Parvati sits close to Him, her head resting almost upon His shoulder. Vinayaka and Kumaraswamy sit nearby; often, one of them is even seated in the Mother's lap.

Looking at them feels just like looking at a family photograph of one's own eldest maternal uncle or paternal uncle.

Visiting a Siva temple feels like visiting the home of such an uncle; it brings peace of mind. That is why people frequent Siva temples," he said.

It struck me as a truly wonderful explanation.

It occurred to me that Siva is easily accessible to His devotees (Bhakta-sulabha). When someone approaches Him, He does not dwell on how corrupt they might have been or how many people they might have hurt—those matters are for others to address later. Instead, Siva simply asks, "My dear one, what brings you here?" and listens to their troubles with compassion, offering solace.

Just a short distance away sits the Mother—the embodiment of boundless compassion (Avyaja-karuna-murti)—wearing a gentle smile. Her face radiates a serene, beaming smile. She embodies the quality of Sattva (purity and goodness); anger never touches Her. One is comforted and sent on their way with the assurance to leave all troubles behind; the mind finds peace.

As one moves forward, one beholds Lord Vinayaka—who ensures that all tasks proceed smoothly and without obstacles—Lord Subrahmanya Swamy, who constantly protects us from danger, and Nandi, the embodiment of Dharma.
What does a living being need more than mental peace? This is found in a Siva temple. There is no doubt about it.
The general feeling is mostly poor and middle class people visit Siva temples frequently.

May all this be offered to Lord Siva.

Subhamastu

Are Kali and Shiva the same?

 Yes, absolutely.

Kali is Shiva in his absolute femininity. The projection or the executive power (Shakti) of Shiva depicted in a female form is Kali. And vice versa, the stable base or the consciousness that eternally holds Kali depicted in a male form is Shiva. The relationship of Shiva and Shakti is beyond everything, unlike in humans or animals where there are two different entities or souls that come into a relationship, for example.. A husband and wife, in case of Shiva and Shakti, it's one Supreme Entity that functions in duality.. However, the truth is non-duality.

So definitely, Shakti is not separate from Shiva. The Ultimate Brahman has two aspects– Purush and Prakriti.

One is the static, unmoving, still consciousness and the other is the flowing, active, dynamic energy. The static aspect has the flowing energy to keep it charged and the flowing aspect has the static consciousness to hold it in a right direction.

The union of these two aspects is the one complete reality. It is only for the expansion that the split happens and then creation takes place, from one to two to infinite forms are taken by Parabrahman.

Shiva's own reflection manifests as Kali (Shakti)

Har Har Mahadev 🙏 Jai Mahakali 🙏

What are the Ashtamurti forms of Lord Shiva?

 

According to the Siva Purana, Lord Shiva governs creation through His eight forms (Ashta Murthis).

They are : The five elements (Earth, Water, Fire, Air, and S/space), the Sun, the Moon, and the Being (the individual soul/Jiva) are known as these eight manifestations.

The Eight Manifestations of Siva and Their Significance:

Sarva (Earth): Symbolizes the element of Earth. The form that sustains all living beings and vegetation. (Example Shrine: Kanchi – Ekambareswarar Temple).

Bhava (Water): Symbolizes the element of Water. The form of water that is the life-source for all living beings. (Example Shrine: Thiruvanaikaval – Jambukeswarar Temple).

Rudra (Fire): Symbolizes the element of Fire or Radiance (Tejas). The power that illuminates and dissolves all things. (Example Shrine: Tiruvannamalai – Arunachaleswarar Temple).

Ugra (Air): Symbolizes the element of Air (Vayu). The form that provides breath to all living beings. (Example Shrine: Srikalahasti – Srikalahastiswarar Temple).

Bhima (Ether/Space): Symbolizes the element of Ether (Akasha). The form of the void that serves as the foundation for everything. (Example Shrine: Chidambaram – Nataraja Temple).

PaSupati (Master/Individual Soul): The embodiment of the Soul, who is the Lord of all living beings (paSUs) and the patron of those who perform sacrifices.

Mahadeva (The Moon): Symbolizes the essence of the Moon; the nourisher of medicinal herbs and the presiding deity of the mind.

ISAna (The Sun): Symbolizes the essence of the Sun; the visible deity who provides light and heat to the entire universe.

Devotees believe that worshipping these Ashtamurtis (Eight Forms)—which pervade all worlds with their divine presence—cleanses one of all sins and leads to liberation.

There is nothing more or less than these 8 forms, we see or notice or feel.

One close devotee asked Ramana Maharshi " what is the use of sitting here always, if you visit Haridwar, Kedarnath or Kasi, you can get more happiness and satisfaction ".

Maharshi said " I am also planning to visit other places. If you find anywhere other than the five elements viz. Earth, water, air, Fire and Sky, come and tell me immediately, I will visit that place ".

Except these five created by Almighty and recognised by our ancient Rishis, nothing else was created or invented so far.

Subhamastu

Which is the biggest Shiva temple in the world?

 I will tell that the biggest Shiva temple in this world is Chidambaram Natarajar Temple(40 acres).But as it is already mentioned I will go for the second largest one in Tamil Nadu,THAYAGARAGAR TEMPLE,TN.(33 acres).

It is in this place that the great chola king punished his own son for his son had killed a calf by running a chariot over it.Hearing this ,the Chola king gave the justice to the mother cow that his own son will be run under the chariot for killing the calf .

Thyagaragar Temple is Shaivite temple dedicated to the deity Shiva, located in the town of Thiruvarur in Tamil Nadu, India. Shiva is worshiped as Moolanathar, and is represented by the lingam. The temple complex covers 33 acres, and is one of the largest in India. It houses four gateway towers known as gopurams. The tallest is the eastern tower, with four stories and a height of 30 metres (98 ft).

The temple has six daily rituals at various times from 5:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., and twelve yearly festivals on its calendar. The temple has the largest chariot in Tamil Nadu and the annual festival is celebrated during the month of April.

The present masonry structure was built during the Chola dynasty in the 9th century, while later expansions are attributed to Vijayanagar rulers .

Nobody knows since when the Shiva Lingam came into existence in this temple as its of a SUYAMBU(self manifested) lingam

It takes one full day to see this temple completely as it as many sculptures

This temple houses 365 lingams depicting the total days in a year and hence some states like Tamil Nadu and Kerala follows Solar calendar (365 days)instead of Lunar calender.

1 emarald Lingam

9 Gopurams,the Raja Gopuram being 98 feet in height

80 Vimanas

A 1000 pillared hall

12 Big Madhilgal(doors of wood)

13 Mantapas

15 holy wells

3 gardens

5 prakarams

100 Sannidhis for various Gods

86 Ganapathi Vigrahams(statues)

24 small inner temples

1 holy pond

and a big 90 feet height Chariot which is of 300 tons having 7 storeys.

There are 3 lingams of which one is emarald(installed by Lord Indra),one installed by Vishnu and one by the chola King.Daily poojas are offered to his idol referred to as Maragatha lingam(Lingam is made of EMARALD). His consort Parvathi is depicted as Kondi. The presiding deity is revered in the 7th century Tamil Saiva canonical work, the Tevaram, written by Tamil saint poets known as the nayanars and classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam having 365 songs dedicated to this temple.

OM MAHADEVAYA NAMAH.

Who is the husband of maa Ganga? Is it Shiva or Shantanu?

Shantanu is husband of Mata Ganga in Mahabharata. They had sons whom she drowned in the water due to a curse on them but their last son Devvrata was saved by his father Shantanu and Ganga left him as he broke his promise of never questioning her.

Lord Shiva is not considered as husband of Mata Ganga except in few regional folklores. In Valmiki Ramayana, his seed was transferred in Ganga’s womb by Agni and she delivered it on her banks and then Kritikas cared for the child. So, Ganga is like surrogate mother of Skanda (Kartikeya) and Kritikas is his foster mothers while Parvati being his true mother.

So, Lord Shiva might be her husband in regional folklores but traditional Puranas don't mention any such thing. He's simple bearer of Ganga not husband of Ganga.

Why did Shiva cut Brahma's head?

 According to our Puranic texts, Brahma Dev had 5 heads out of which 4 would sing Vedic mantras and all the positive traits were associated with those 4 heads. But the 5th head was the head of ego, ignorance.

Because of that head of ego, Brahma challenged Bhagwan Vishnu stating that he is superior than him and Bhagwan Shiva. This led to a competition between Brahma and Vishnu, both of them had entered the body of Shiva who had taken the form of a pillar. The condition of victory was that the one who finds either the start or the end of the pillar would win. Vishnu after searching the end point, came out and accepted that the infinite cannot have an end. However, Brahma in order to win the competition lied that he had found out the starting point of the pillar. Shiva then cursed Brahma for lying, saying that Brahma would not be worshipped as the primary deity despite becoming the creator of the material world. But because of the fifth head which represented the ego & ignorance, the words of Brahma’s head came out of arrogance and he insulted Shiva. Blinded by the ego, Brahma forgot that Shiva is unborn and Brahma himself had emerged from Vishnu’s navel, despite being a manifestation of Vishnu.. because of maya (illusion), Brahma declares himself superior to Vishnu and Shiva.

In order to destroy the negativity within Brahma, from the wrath of Shiva appeared a terrifying fierce form of Shiva which was called Kaal Bhairava.

Kaal Bhairava chopped off the 5th head of Brahma just by the nail of the small finger of his left arm. This was to enlighten Brahma, helping him to identify his real self. Brahma is the first and foremost Brahmin who gave all the knowledge. This act of Bhairava cutting the fifth head of Brahma was identified as Brahma hatya, it’s a sin though it was a divine act. Although Bhairava (Shiva) is Almighty, he doesn't need to do any penance for anything, but to give a message that the laws of nature are to be followed, Bhairava roams with Brahma’s skull around the world, that skull gets attached to his hand. He roams and asks the question to everyone but no one could answer, finally he goes to Vaikuntha. Vishnu being the purest, quickly identifies that it was only the leela of Shiva and he asks Bhairava to visit Kashi, the city created by Shiva himself which liberation to everyone. Finally after reaching Kashi, the skull of Brahma gets detached from Bhairava’s hand and falls in a place called Kapal mochan.

So here the message is that it's our ego which makes us blind. Bhairava removes that and makes us aware about the reality. Brahma lied because of ego and got his head chopped off, we as Jeevas are the reflection of Brahma, having both positive as well negative traits. Bhairava removes that negativity within us. Brahma’s skull represents the entire Universe because Brahma is the creator of the Universe, but even higher than the Universe is the destroyer Bhairava who is holding the Universe, Vishnu the operator understands it completely.

So when Shiva asks Bhairava (his own form just different for leela purpose) to roam with the skull, going everywhere, it was Vishnu who was able to give the answer that only Kashi can free him from the sin, it is because he was completely free from ego, he is Achyuta, the infallible since ego cannot touch him. Understanding the leela of Shiva, Vishnu gave the right answer which means that when we will be free from our ahankar, that is when we can see the reality as it is.

This was the Hari Har Leela, here Brahma became the medium in order to give us this message through the divine act.

ॐ नमः शिवाय 🙏 ॐ नमो नारायण 🙏

Does Shiva really exist in Kailash Parvat?

All Hindu texts believe ; Lord Shiva resides in Kailash.

Kailash is adored as personification of Lord Shiva.

Abode : Kailash is home to Adi Yogi , the master of senses.

He proverbially stays there along with his family and close devotees.

Rare : Devotees believe , only true Shiva devotees can reach this sacred spot.

It is considered among the arduous pilgrimages across the world.

Mystical : Many seers and pilgrims have experienced super natural experiences there.

They were privy to Om (Pranav) chants ; divine light and rare experiences.

Legend : Yoga sutras claim , many Yogis have experienced Shiva Shakti tatva there.

Many saw , yogis and sadhus in meditative postures from very close quarters.

In other words, they experience auspiciousness and divine energy touching them.

Surrender : Devotees, pilgrims and trekkers claim ; this pilgrimage tests one’s faith and will.

Only those who surrender to Shiva calmly complete this tough journey.

Facts : All Shiva Shakti texts Shiva Mahapurana; Yajurveda ; Ramayana ; Mahabharat eulogize it.

Major Yog texts, Hath Yog Pradika ; Yogsar Tantram ; Yogtattva Upnishad describe it as sacred abode.

Many hindu monks and Yogis believe it to be an abode of Lord Shiva.

What was the boon that Hanuman received from Shiva?

 

Lord Hanuman is known as part of Lord Shiva himself.

Many depict him as an incarnation of Bhava, the 11th Rudra.

Incarnation : Shiva Puran defines him as an incarnation of Lord Shiva.

Rudransh : Seers depict Lord Hanuman as ansh (part) of Lord Rudranath.

Ram Charit Manas defines Hanuman as Shankar Suvan, son of Lord Shiva.

Blessing : Kishindha Kand , Valmik Ramayana , Lord Shiva blesses Rama with invincibility.

Immortal : It also means Chiranjivi , being immortal or ever living.

Bajrang : He is also known as Vajrang or Bajrang (one who is unhurt by thunderbolt)

Prayer : Sri Ganeshaya Namah Sri Ram Jai Ram Jai Jai Ram Namo Parvatipataye Har Har Mahadev

Pawan Tanay Bal Pawan Samana ; Buddhi Vivek Vigyan Nidhana

Kaun Sa Kaaj Kathin Jag Mahi ; Joh Nahi Hoth Tath Tam Pahi

Pic Credits : Google Images / Web

Who does Shiva love the most, Vishnu, Shakti, or Parvati?

 Lord Shiva loves Lord Vishnu the most, because Lord Vishnu is the Ishta-daiva of Lord Shiva. Even before Lord Shiva married Mother Parvati or Mother Sati, he was a Parama Vaishnava (a supreme devotee of Lord Vishnu).

I once read on Quora that in a certain Purana it is mentioned that Lord Vishnu told Lord Shiva that he would take birth as Parvati or Shakti and marry him to assist him in the process of cosmic destruction. In support of this idea, it is said that Mother Parvati was Krishna-varna (bluish-black in complexion famously known as Kaali) at birth, and after performing intense tapasya she became Gaura-varna (fair or golden in complexion) and hence known as Gauri.

Infact Bengalis also believe that Lord Vishnu is Mother Kali and it’s famous as Krishna Kaali.

A certain sect of Vaisnavas called as Madwas see Mother Kaali or parwathy has a special avesha of Govinda in her which makes her indifferent from Govinda.

And yea Even Lalita Sahasranama have a name Govinda Roopini

Even Famous Premanandji Maharaj of Vrindavan has spoken about a similar idea, saying that Lord Vishnu manifested as Parvati and that Lord Shiva manifested as Radha Rani.

Hare Krishna

Har Har Mahadeva

Jai Bhagwathy Lalitha

Why do we worship Shiva Linga rather than Bhagwan Shivji himself?

 There are two major reasons why śivalinga is worshipped more than the actual murti (form/vigrahaṃ) of Supreme Lord Parameśvarā.

In entire Hinduism (Sanathana dharma) Śaivam is the only ideology which exists in both the perspectives.

1. Universal worshipping freedom.
2. Vedic/Sāmpradāyik methods of worship.

Whereas other heteredox and Folkloric ideologies like Bauḍha, Jaina, Vaiśṇava, Shāktha etc: are subjected only to their respective domain like philosophical texts, agamas, tantras etc:

As I mentioned above, the two reasons why Lord Shiva is worshipped as Lingam is because:—

1. Jyoṭirlingaṃ — As we are well aware, Sanātana Dharma's 12 oldest Temples are the 12 Jyotirlingams (Dwādaśa Jyotirlingam) which are essential root for the Śaivam. All the temples being in Lingam form is the main reason why Lingam-worship is more significant among the devotees.
2. Vedic and Sāmpradāyik ideology — The Vedas (Shvetāśvatāra Upaniśad) clearly mention that Lord Shiva in his murti form in Dakshinamurthy (i.e South facing or Dakshina mukham), even ancient Vedic worshippers of Lord like Sureśvarā (disciple of Bhagavatpāda Śaṅkarachārya) worshipped Lord Shiva as Dakshinamurti alone in his humane form (check Manasollasa Vartika), apart from that they worshipped Chandramoulishvara which is a lingam form of Lord.

ajāta ity evaṃ kaścid bhīruḥ prapadyate / rudra yat dakṣiṇaṃ mukham tena māṃ pāhi nityam // 4.21 //

It is because you are birthless, that some rare souls, frightened by birth and death, take refuge in you. O Rudra, may your benign south facing form protect me for ever!

~ Shvetashvatara Upanishad 4.21

Shiva can be worshipped in any form (with respect to lingam) like:—

1. Chandramoulishvara.
2. Rameshvara.
3. Omkareshwara.
4. Mallikarjuna.
5. Kedaralingam. Etc:

But if anyone tends to worship Lord in his humane form, they are permitted to worship or meditate on him in his Dakshinamurthi form (South facing benign form) which is in accordance with Vedic/Sāmpradāyik worshipping mode as explained by great Vedantins like Sureśvarā bhagavatpāda etc:

SrI Vishwanatharpanamastu ||

How many incarnations did Lord Shiva take?

 Lord Shiva in total has 84 incarnations as per Shiva Purana, Linga Purana, Shaiva Siddhanta, and the Shaiva itihasa, known as Shivarahasya. Therefore in any city of Lord Shiva such as Ujjain, Varanasi, Kathmandu, or Kanchipuram (Kashi of the South), 84 ghats are present upon the banks of the sacred river flowing through that city.

• 28 Rajasic incarnations: Lord Shiva did pastimes with various deities in these 28 incarnations, therefore Lord Shiva is also known as Devadideva, lord of the deities.
• Mahesha (also known as Maheshwara, pastimes with various deities, glory described in Maheshwara Khanda of Skanda Purana)
• Sunartaka (Nataraja, bewildered everyone with his divine blissful anandadayi dance, personalities such as Himalaya, Menaka, Durga i.e. daughter of Menaka, Brahma, Lord Vishnu, all the parshadas of Himalaya, all the divine sages including Narada, in the durbar of Himalaya, therefore Lord Shiva being Ishwara can bewilder anyone)
• Avadhuta (the chastisement of Indra deva)
• Pippalada (the chastisement of Shani deva)
• Sureshwara (the pastime with Upamanyu, Indra deva, and the deities)
• Devaraja (pastimes with Yama dutas and the brahmanical cult)
• Jatila (pastimes with the hermits in the Himalayas)
• King Madhata (the sovereign of bharat varsha, who ruled from Omkareshwar, glory described in Reva/Narmada Khanda of Skanda Purana)
• Dwijeshwara (the divine tiger form, the test and liberation of Bhadrayu & Kirtimalini in Anandavana)
• Bhikshuvarya (the rescue of Satyaratha)
• Sadhudwija (the test of Durga i.e. daughter of Himalaya and Menaka)
• Baidyanatha (the destruction of Ravana's arrogance)
• Krishnadarshana (the preaching of Raja Dharma to prince Nabhaga)
• Parashara (the father of Vyasa)
• Atharva (the sage of Atharva Veda)
• Ribhu (the composer of Shiva Rahasya, the itihasa dealing with Lord Shiva's pastimes in the spiritual abode Anandavana)
• Ushana (sage Ushana, the pastimes mentioned in Ausunasa Purana)
• Dakshina (the preacher of Ishwara Gita in Naimisharanya, Lord Shiva in this form declared that he is the supreme lord Ishwara and the sovereign of the creation)
• Kala (the consort of Kali)
• Tar (the consort of Tara)
• Shodash (the consort of Shodashi)
• Bhuvaneshwar (the consort of Bhuvaneshwari)
• Chinnamastaka (the consort of Chinnamasta)
• Bhairava (the consort of Bhairavi)
• Dhumavata (the consort of Dhumavati)
• Bagalamukha (the consort of Bagalamukhi)
• Matanga (the consort of Matangi)
• Kamal (the consort of Kamala)
• 28 Sattvik incarnations: Lord Shiva did these 28 pastimes mainly in spiritual Anandavana, the holy abode, also known as Varanasi, with his divine consort Durga (Shakti), along with Brahma (Brahman) and Vishnu (Bhagavan), hence Lord Shiva is also known as Ishwara (the highest deity), the one above OM (Brahma) and the origin of OM (Vishnu/father of Brahma).
• Adipurush (Ishwara, the primordial lord), the pastimes mentioned in Kashi Khanda of Skanda Purana, the lord of Anandavana
• Sadyojata (first expansion)
• Vamadeva (second expansion)
• Ishana (third expansion)
• Aghora (fourth expansion)
• Tatpurusha (fifth and final expansion)
• Sarva (first cosmic body)
• Bhava (second cosmic body)
• Rudra (third cosmic body)
• Ugra (fourth cosmic body)
• Bhima (fifth cosmic body)
• Pashupati (sixth cosmic body)
• Isha (seventh cosmic body)
• Mahadeva (this form of Lord Shiva stays in Kailasha, the final & eighth cosmic body, the pastimes with deities and various species, the pastimes described in Kailasha Samhita of Shiva Purana)
• Ardhanarishwara/half Shiva half Shakti (the bewilderment of Brahma/Brahma Vimohana Leela, Brahma after beholding this divine Shaiva form started the process of creation)
• Grihapati (the vigraha/idol from of Shiva which resides in the abode of Himalaya and all the deities, the art form of Grihapati is depicted at the end of this answer)
• Vatuka (the divine child form of Shiva, equal to millions of cupids, pastimes as a child in the spiritual Anandavana dham)
• Kalabhairava (the chopping of Brahma's fifth head and destruction of Brahma's ego)
• Attahasa (the killing of Matsya incarnation)
• Ruru (the killing of Kurma incarnation)
• Mahakala (the killing of Varaha incarnation)
• Sharabha (the killing of Narasimha incarnation)
• Kankala (the killing of Vamana incarnation)
• Virabhadra (the killing of Yajnapurusha incarnation)
• Yaksheshwara (the chastisement of gods after Samudra manthan)
• Vrishabha (half man half bull incarnation of Shiva)
• Yati (the swan incarnation of Shiva)
• Nandishwara (the bull vehicle of Shiva, the final 28th of the Sattvik incarnations)
• 28 Tamasik incarnations: Lord Shiva did pastimes with sages, seers, various species, men, and the dark creatures of the underworld in these 28 incarnations.
• Shweta
• Sutara
• Damana
• Suhotra
• Kanka
• Lokakshi
• Yogisabha
• Dadhivahana
• Rishabha (the yogi form of Shiva who expanded the art of yoga)
• Bhringa
• Kali (a divine form of Shiva, not Goddess Kali)
• Puru
• Bali (not demon king Bali)
• Gautama
• Vedashiras
• Gokarna
• Guhavasi
• Shikhandi (not Shikhandi of Mahabharata)
• Jatimali
• Atta
• Dvaruka (the founder of Dvarukavana, present day Nageshwara Jyotirlinga of Gujarat)
• Langali (the founder of modern city of Varanasi)
• Kalanjara
• Shuli
• Mundishwara
• Sahishnu
• Somnath (the founder of Prabhasa Kshetra, modern day shoreline of Gujarat, the glory mentioned in Prabhasa Khanda of Skanda Purana)
• Lakulisha (the reviver of Shaivism in Kali Yuga, born in Kayavarohan, modern day Gujarat, founder of Lakulisha Shaivism)

These are the complete list of 84 divine incarnations of Lord Shiva as per the Sanatana scriptures.

Image courtesy : Google