The Shiva Purana is the fourth of the 18 Mahapuranas, with a traditional verse count of about 24,000. It is a central text of Shaivism.
It centres on Shiva and Parvati but references and reveres all gods and goddesses. Tradition holds that it once consisted of 100,000 verses set out in twelve samhitas (books) and was abridged by the sage Vyasa before being taught to Romaharshana. The story of Ganesha's birth is primarily found in the Shiva Purana, specifically in the Rudra Samhita (Kumara Khanda). It covers Shiva's glory, myths, worship, and pilgrimage sites sacred to Shiva.
Learn more on this site
- Shiva in Deities section — overview of Shiva, plus collapsible sections on Shiva Linga worship and where Shiva resides (drawn from Shiva Purana).
- Jyotirlinga temples — the twelve Jyotirlingas and their significance, including an explanation of why there are twelve based on Shiva Purana.
- FAQ (Shiva topics) — answers on Shiva Linga worship, where Shiva lives, and how karma burns, all explained using teachings from Shiva Purana.