Lord Shiva & Adiyogi Paintings

Adiyogi, Shiv ji and Shiv Parvati

In yogic tradition, Shiva is Adiyogi, the first yogi, who is said to have taught yoga to the Saptarishis, his first seven disciples. Most of our Adiyogi designs are based on the large statue of that face near Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu, which is why one of them is called the Adiyogi Coimbatore photo frame. The eyes are half closed and the face is still, so these frames look as natural in a study or office as in a pooja room.

For Shiva as he is worshipped at home, the golden Shiv ji painting shows him in meditation. The Shiv Parvati painting shows him with Goddess Parvati, traditionally seen as the ideal couple, which is why many couples choose it for their home. For other deities, see all our god photo frames.

Where to hang a Shiva painting, as Vastu suggests

Vastu traditionally links Shiva with the north, the direction of Mount Kailash, so most families hang a Shiva painting on the north or north-east wall. That way you face north or east while you pray. Like other god photos, it is usually kept off the south wall, away from a wall shared with a bathroom and out of the space under the stairs.

At home, people tend to choose a calm Shiva: in meditation, smiling, or with Parvati. Fierce forms, such as Rudra or Nataraja in the tandav dance, are usually kept for the pooja room or a temple.

Adiyogi is a common choice for an office, a cabin or a yoga corner. Hang it behind your desk or on a wall you face while you sit, with the face at about eye level. For a quiet corner at home, it pairs well with one of our meditation paintings.

Choosing a design and size

Look at the wall first. The black Adiyogi frames, the landscape black and the black and white portrait under a starry sky, stand out on a white or light grey wall. The pink background, sunset and blue sky versions bring in more colour and suit a warmer living room. The Adiyogi Shiva motivation painting puts a minimal Adiyogi face next to a short line about strength on white, good for a study or office. If you like words on the wall, browse our motivational frames too.

Most designs are 14 × 20 inch, which fits a pooja room wall, the space above a mandir shelf or a cabin. The Adiyogi landscape black, the Adiyogi office frame and the Shiv ji painting also come in 14 × 26 inch for a bigger wall, and the Shiv Parvati painting is a 16 × 16 inch square. Every size is listed below.

Gifting and care

A Shiva painting is a fitting gift for Maha Shivratri, the month of Shravan, a griha pravesh or a new office. Delivery is free across India and takes 5 to 10 days, so order a week or two before the date.

The prints are laminated and coated. Dust them with a soft dry cloth, keep them away from water and steam, and keep the diya and agarbatti a little way off so smoke doesn’t darken the frame over time. If a frame reaches you damaged, we replace it.

Sizes in this collection

• 16 × 16 in (1 design)
• 14 × 20 in (11 designs)
• 14 × 26 in (3 designs)

Is it good to keep a Shiva painting at home?

Yes, many Hindu homes keep one. Tradition favours a calm form of Shiva at home, such as Shiva in meditation, Adiyogi or Shiv Parvati, while fierce forms like Rudra or the tandav dance are usually kept in the pooja room or a temple.

Which Shiva painting is good for home?

Usually a calm, meditating or smiling Shiva. Shiv Parvati is a common choice for a family home, and Adiyogi suits a study, an office or a meditation corner. After that, pick the colours that suit your wall.

Which direction should a Shiva painting be placed?

Vastu traditionally suggests the north wall, the direction of Mount Kailash, or the north-east, so that you face north or east while you pray. The south wall and walls next to a bathroom are usually avoided. These are traditions, so follow what your family does.

Can we keep a Shiva photo in the bedroom?

Many families do, usually with a gentle image such as Shiv Parvati. Tradition says not to hang it on the wall your feet point to while you sleep, and to keep fierce forms in the pooja room.

Is an Adiyogi painting good for the office?

It is a common choice for an office, cabin or yoga studio, since Adiyogi is seen as the first yogi and the image is calm. People often hang it behind the desk or on the wall they face, ideally on the north or east side.

Shiv ji ki photo kis disha mein lagani chahiye?

Vastu ke hisaab se Shiv ji ki photo north (uttar) disha mein lagana achha maana jaata hai, kyunki Kailash parvat uttar mein hai. North-east (ishaan kon) bhi theek hai, taaki pooja karte samay aapka mukh uttar ya purab ki taraf ho. South wall aur bathroom se lagi deewar par photo nahi lagate, aur ghar mein aam taur par Shiv ji ka shaant roop, jaise dhyaan mudra ya Shiv Parvati, rakha jaata hai.