The Nine Most Famous Avatars Of Lord Shiva

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Lord Shiva, is known to have taken 16 incarnations on earth at the time when evil was reigning supreme and the good ones suffered under them. Amongst the 16 avatars, the 9 most famous avatars have been immortalised and worshipped in households with devotion and faith. Lord Hanuman is one of the avatars of Lord Shiva who was born on earth as an example for devotion and faith and worked miracles with his superhuman powers through which he spotted Sita in Lanka and then reported about her to Lord Rama. As per scriptures, he was born when Lord Shiva pulled a hair out of his locks to create him to let him help Lord Rama in his fight against the Asura, Ravana. Here are the famous avatars of Lord Shiva.

1. Piplaad Avatar

Born as the son of Dadhichi Maharishi and Suvarcha, Lord Shiva grew up under the name of Pippalada. Due to Shani's malefic influence, Dadhichi had to leave home never to return. So pippalada cursed Shani and released him partially under one condition that he should not trouble anyone under 16 years of age.

2. Nandi Avatar

Lord Shiva is the protector of the herds of cattle. Holding an axe in his hand, he is bullfaced with masculine vigour. Two out of his four hands, hold the axe and the antelope and the other two hands are joined together.

3. Lord Virabhadra Avatar

He emerged from Lord Shiva's matted locks during Daksha Yaga wherein Sati immolated herself by falling in to the homagni. Veerabhadra fought with Daksha and chopped off his head. This form of Shiva is ferocity personified, angry with locks open and swaying in all directions.

4. Lord Sarabha Avatar

Lord Shiva took the form of Sharabha to pacify Lord Narasimha. When he was unable to be pacified, Veerabhadra took the form of Sharabha and pacified him forcibly.

5. Aswasthama Avatar

Ashwathama another avatar of Rudra or Shiva was born in Tapkeshwar caves. He is treated as one of the rudravatars and a Chiranjeevi, the immortal being. He had a gem etched into his forehead which protected hm against hunger, thirst and fatigue.

6. Bhairav Avatar

Vishnu and Brahma fought each other for supremacy over each other. Brahma played foul here and hence Lord Shiva, emerged as Bhairava and cut off the fifth head of Brahma due to which he had to carry that head for 12 years. But people worship him to gain stronghold over enemies and for gaining material pleasures.

7. Maharishi Durvasa Avatar

Maharishi Durvasa was an incarnation of Rudra and hence had ferocious temperament. He was the one who got the Devas and Asuras churn the ocean to get nectar for Gods.

8. Grihapati Avatar

Girhapati Shiva came to save a child who was born to Grihpati and Shuchismati who wanted Lord Shiva to be born to them. But the child that was born died very young. Then Grihapati left for Kashi to restore peace for the departed child. When his way was blocked by Lord Indra, Lord Shiva intervened and defended Grihapati. Hence he is worshipped in the Grihapati form.

9. Lord Hanuman Avatar

Hanuman was an avatar of Lord Shiva and he lived as an example of devotion and surrender to his preferred diety Lord Shri Ram. When Lord Vishnu enchanted Lord Shiva by taking on the form of Mohini, the energy liberated by Lord Shiva in this process led him to be born as Anjani's son Hanuman.

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