Why is Shiva called Neelkanth, the blue-throated one?

He held the ocean’s poison in his throat. At the churning of the ocean, Shiva swallowed the deadly Halahala poison and held it in his throat, which turned blue.

Which sacred river does Shiva hold in his matted hair?

Ganga. Shiva broke the fall of the descending Ganga in his locks, so the earth could bear her force.

As Nataraja, Shiva performs which cosmic dance?

The Tandava. The Tandava is Shiva’s dance of creation and dissolution, the rhythm of the universe itself.

Who is Shiva’s consort, reborn as the daughter of the mountains?

Parvati. Parvati, daughter of Himavan, won Shiva through her devotion and tapasya.

Shiva’s mount, the bull, is named?

Nandi. Nandi the bull is Shiva’s vahana and his most steadfast devotee, seated before every Shiva temple.

What is Shiva’s primary weapon?

The trishul. The trishul, or trident, is Shiva’s weapon, its three points often read as the three gunas.

Shiva saved the young devotee Markandeya from whom?

Yama, lord of death. When Yama came for Markandeya, the boy clung to the Shiva linga, and Shiva appeared to stay death itself.

Besides Ganesha, who is Shiva and Parvati’s other son?

Kartikeya. Kartikeya, also called Skanda or Murugan, is the warrior son who led the armies of the gods.

The mantra most associated with Shiva is?

Om Namah Shivaya. Om Namah Shivaya, the Panchakshara or five-syllable mantra, is the heart of Shiva devotion.

On which night do devotees keep vigil and fast for Shiva?

Maha Shivratri. Maha Shivratri, the great night of Shiva, is kept with fasting and an all-night jagran.

Bhakti Angan Quiz

How well do you know Shiva?

Ten questions on Mahadev, from Neelkanth and the Ganga to Nataraja’s dance. No sign in, just play. Your best score stays on this device.

Keep a daily darshan with you. The free Bhakti Angan app brings a new darshan each morning, the panchang for your city, and a japa counter.

Download free on the App Store

Frequently asked about Shiva

The answers to every question in the quiz above, for reading and reference.

Why is Shiva called Neelkanth, the blue-throated one?: He held the ocean’s poison in his throat. At the churning of the ocean, Shiva swallowed the deadly Halahala poison and held it in his throat, which turned blue.
Which sacred river does Shiva hold in his matted hair?: Ganga. Shiva broke the fall of the descending Ganga in his locks, so the earth could bear her force.
As Nataraja, Shiva performs which cosmic dance?: The Tandava. The Tandava is Shiva’s dance of creation and dissolution, the rhythm of the universe itself.
Who is Shiva’s consort, reborn as the daughter of the mountains?: Parvati. Parvati, daughter of Himavan, won Shiva through her devotion and tapasya.
Shiva’s mount, the bull, is named?: Nandi. Nandi the bull is Shiva’s vahana and his most steadfast devotee, seated before every Shiva temple.
What is Shiva’s primary weapon?: The trishul. The trishul, or trident, is Shiva’s weapon, its three points often read as the three gunas.
Shiva saved the young devotee Markandeya from whom?: Yama, lord of death. When Yama came for Markandeya, the boy clung to the Shiva linga, and Shiva appeared to stay death itself.
Besides Ganesha, who is Shiva and Parvati’s other son?: Kartikeya. Kartikeya, also called Skanda or Murugan, is the warrior son who led the armies of the gods.
The mantra most associated with Shiva is?: Om Namah Shivaya. Om Namah Shivaya, the Panchakshara or five-syllable mantra, is the heart of Shiva devotion.
On which night do devotees keep vigil and fast for Shiva?: Maha Shivratri. Maha Shivratri, the great night of Shiva, is kept with fasting and an all-night jagran.