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“Fire is his head, the sun and the moon his eyes, space his ears, the Vedas his speech, the wind his breath, the universe his heart.

From his feet, the Earth has originated. Verily, he is the inner self of all beings.”

- Anonymous, The Upanishads: Translations From Sanskrit To English

Shiva some say was there before the beginning and will survive till the end. Revered as lord of lords or Mahadev, he is known to consume all the poison emanating from the great “Samudra Manthan.” He represents both darkness and light, benevolence and fierceness, he is the balance between the evil and the good and is the master of all living beings irrespective of their form and nature.

“Untimely death, he dies, who does the work of a wretch, what can even the time do to those who worship Mahakaal.”

- Hindi Translation For A Religious Adage In Hinduism

Mahakaal is one amongst the most revered forms of Shiva who is known to protect the devotees from the clutch of Kaal or untimely death. However, the fiercely protective Mahadev is also said to be pleased by the simplicity and is the most humble God in Hinduism, which is why millions of devotees all across the globe worship and follow the path illuminated by the great ascetic.

Shiva – The Nataraja

I was listening to a really intriguing story about Shiva by a renowned storyteller Dr Seema Anand. It was a story I never heard before; somewhere in our world in a time unknown, Parvati, Shiva’s wife and his Shakti constructed a temple for the Lord, where he danced. It is said that Shiva who is often referred to as “Nataraja” used to enchant the mortal realm with his spellbinding performance there before the Gods descended to heavens.

The God who is worshipped in his fierce form is said to dance gracefully and the manifestation of Shiva as Nataraja has blessed our culture with beautiful dance forms like Bharatanatyam. The word Nataraja is a combination of two words Nata (Performer) and Raja (King), which is why in Hinduism he is proclaimed as the undisputed king of performance arts and dance.

In fact, even people from foreign cultures and lands admire this form of Lord Shiva and historic and modern artworks of Nataraja adorn some of the famed museums and art galleries all across the globe. These enchanting artworks portray the glory of multifaceted Shiva and emit an aura that inspires performers and artists of different genres.

Let’s take a look at some of the famed artworks by celebrated artists of Lord Shiva paintings on Indian Art Ideas, an online art gallery that aims to promote traditional art and paintings of India.

Trishul By Mrinal Dutt

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Trishul By Mrinal Dutt

A simplistic yet elegant portrayal of Shivaling and Trishul under the moonlight, Trishul is an exceptional artwork by Ahmedabad-based artist Mrinal Dutt. The striking and raw depiction of Shiva & Shakti is adorned with bright yellow and orange-hued marigold flowers that add a lot of charm to the artwork.

Adyah By Mrinal Dutt

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Adyah By Mrinal Dutt

Yet another masterpiece by Mrinal Dutt, Adyah captures the devotion of Nandi who is an ardent disciple of Lord Shiva. It is one amongst the most remarkable Lord Shiva paintings that also comprises of finely sketched sculptures of holy sanctuaries like Kedarnath in the background.

Shiv-Parvati With Lord Ganesha By Paresh More

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Shiv-Parvati With Lord Ganesha By Paresh More

A colorful and magnificent portrayal of family love, it is one of the artistically brilliant Lord Shiva paintings by Vadodara-based Indian artists Paresh Mores that can be an incredible addition to your collection. The splendid piece of art epitomizes the affection Lord Shiva shares with his family.

Shiva-Shakti By ASR Sandeep Rawal

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Shiva-Shakti By ASR Sandeep Rawal

As per the tantric cosmology, Shiva and Shakti are the forces that keep the world order and maintain harmony amongst beings of different realms. This Lord Shiva painting perfectly captures the beauty of the bond between Shiva and his Shakti, on a spectacular backdrop of the vibrant cosmos.

Aghori2 By Naveen Pattar

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Aghori2 By Naveen Pattar

Shiva, the master of tantric science is also the God of Aghoris or the ascetics who till date live a secluded life worshipping the dark forces and devoting their lives to Lord Shiva. Aghori2 is one of the most striking Lord Shiva paintings that capture the essence of Aghor Tantra.

Bhakti by Devendra Nimbargikar

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Bhakti by Devendra Nimbargikar

Another artwork that captures the sublime colors of Bhakti, which is closely associated with Lord Shiva. The painting by Devendra Nimbargikar portrays the face of a female devotee who seems to be engrossed in the divine chants that praise the lord of lords, Mahadev.

Lord Shiva 1 By Raghu Godisela

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Lord Shiva 1 By Raghu Godisela

A monochromatic representation of the preserver and destroyer of the universe, this Lord Shiva painting by the talented Raghu Godisela sure is a masterpiece. The elegance of monochrome with sharp lines is a beauty to look at, making it an exceptional artwork for your décor.

Gangadhar By Tarun Kumar

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Gangadhar By Tarun Kumar

When the holy Ganga descended from heavens, Lord Shiva took her in the locks of his dreads to save earthly beings from its fierce flow. This Lord Shiva's painting by Tarun Kumar is a striking and highly realistic representation of Gangadhar, Lord Shiva.

Lord Shiva Vishpaan Painting By Javed Hashmi

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Lord Shiva Vishpaan Painting By Javed Hashmi

A watercolor on canvas depiction of Lord Shiva consuming the poison that emanated from the ocean during the Samudra Manthan, this painting by Javed Hashmi is a brilliant artwork. With the gods performing the sacred ritual below Shiva, bright colors and fine details make this painting appear both lifelike and enchanting.

These are just a few of the masterpieces that portray the God of Gods in a whole new light with artistic brilliance. Shiva’s close association to arts has made him a timeless subject for traditional paintings in India and he is both loved and revered by artists.

Bring Shiva’s Blessings To Your Home

An artistic representation of Shiva and Shakti can be a perfect addition to your décor. These paintings online can elevate the positive vibes of your workplace or living space and can become an undying resource of positivity.