Ardhnarishwar: Ardhanarishvara or ardhnarishwar is

Ardhanarishvara or ardhnarishwar is a half Shiva and half Parvati form of Mahadeva where he is depicted as half man and half woman to indicate that the ultimate reality includes both the feminine and masculine dimension of life. Ardhanarishvara , composite male-female figure of the Hindu god Shiva together with his consort Parvati. As seen in many Indian and Southeast Asian sculptures, the right (male) half of the figure is adorned with the traditional ornaments of Shiva. Half of the hair is piled in a hairdress of matted Ardhanarishvara is a form of Shiva combined with Parvati, depicted as half-male and half-female. Learn about its origins, iconography, mythology and symbolism in Hinduism. Meditating on Ardhnareeswara (Ardhnarishwar Stotra) gives the ability to develop inner qualities that are well balanced, that are masculine and feminine. Masculine and feminine are not contradictory principles but complementary aspects that aid the harmonious functioning of the Universe.