Lord Shiva and Maa Shakti are two of the most important deities in Hinduism. They are widely worshipped in India in the 12 Jyotirlingam temples and the 51 Shaktipeethas respectively, and also in thousands of other temples all around the world.

Here are some facts about Lord Shiva and Maa Shakti which young people should definitely know –

1. Shiva is the oldest Hindu God who was mentioned as early as the Vedic period by the name of Rudra.

2. There are references to Shiva as the all powerful God in the Ramayana and Mahabharata.

3. He is a part of the Holy trinity of Hindu Gods along with Brahma and Vishnu.

4. Shiva consumed the dangerous poison Halahala which came out after Samudra Manthan (churning of the milk ocean), thus saving the Universe.

5. Parvati, an incarnation of Goddess Shakti is Lord Shiva’s companion.

6. Mount Kailash is known as the abode of Shiva, where he resides with his family.

7. Ganesha and Murugan are the children of Shiva and Shakti.

8. Nandi the holy bull is the Vahana of Shiva.

9. Shakti’s Vahana is a lion.

10. Shiva is associated with the masculine energy or Purusha and Shakti is associated with the feminine energy or Prakriti.