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Syncretic Form · Shiva with Ganga in His Hair

Ganga-Shiva

गङ्गाधर
Also known as: Gaṅgādhara, Bearer of Ganga, Shiva with Ganga

About

The form of Shiva who caught the descending river Ganga in his matted hair to soften her fall from heaven. Represents Shiva's compassion, his role as the container of cosmic forces, and the unity of the ascetic and the life-giving waters.

Attributes

CompassionContainmentPurificationShiva's grace

Symbols

Ganga flowing from hairMatted hairCrescent moon
Consort
Parvati
Vahana (Mount)
Nandi

Associated Mantras

Om Gaṅgādharāya Namaḥ
Gangadhara Stotram

Festivals

Ganga DussehraMaha Shivaratri

Scriptures

RamayanaShiva Purana

Regions Worshipped

Pan-India

Iconography

Shiva with matted hair from which Ganga flows as a small stream. Ganga is often depicted as a small female figure in the hair.