Ardhanareeshwara (Half Shiva Half Parvati) - I

Ardhanareeshwara is an androgynous form of Lord Shiva and his wife Parvati. Representing the synthesis of masculine and feminine energies in the universe, Ardhanareeshwara is depicted as half male and half female. The left side of the body is Parvati, while the right side is Shiva. The name literally translates to 'the lord who is half woman'. This intricately detailed sculpture has been made using the lost wax process.