Shiva Hardcover Book Dorling Kindersley & Nilima Chitgopekar

Name: Shiva Hardcover Book Dorling Kindersley &amp; Nilima Chitgopekar
SKU: EKA-0409203078
Availability: OutOfStock

SKU: EKA-0409203078

He is Mahadeva, supreme and serene. He is Bhairava, full of wrath, annihilating all that is in his path. He is Mahakaal, encompassing time and eternity, a symbol of the end. He is the androgynous Ardhanarishvara, representing the balance of opposites. He is the lord of dance and protector of animals, he is a teacher and healer, the destroyer, but also the creator. He is a husband, a lover, a poet, and a warrior. He is the infinite Shiva, divine, yet human.

Shiva: God of Gods explores the many dimensions of Shiva and Shaivism, unpacking the history, mythology, folklore, and philosophy behind a deity whose paradoxes have long captivated both scholars and devotees. Moving beyond traditional religious study, the book offers a nuanced look at the theological and cultural currents that have shaped his presence across millennia. It also traces how Shiva has influenced – and been influenced by – those who worship him, inviting both the believer and the sceptic to encounter him not as a fixed figure, but as a living, evolving idea. Dr Nilima Chitgopekar’s uniquely expressive voice animates these histories and ideas, bringing these strands together into a narrative that is as compelling as it is insightful.

Shiva blends rare visual culture – classical paintings, modern artworks, artefacts, and photographs from sacred sites and festivals – with an evocative narrative, all of which seeks to illustrate the universality of Shiva and his philosophy, making it an ideal book for mythology and theology enthusiasts, followers of the Hindu faith and Shaivism, and those interested in Indian culture.

Original price was: $21.85.Current price is: $20.76.

Out of stock

Get 10% off with code ‘Ekamithila’!

Compare

Add to wishlist

Description

Books
ISBN: 9780241792292
Product Code: EKA-0409203078
Publisher: DK (26 January 2026); Dorling Kindersley Limited
Format: Printed Book
Language: English
Reading Age: 18 years to Above
Publication Date: January 26, 2026
Binding: Hardback
Quantity: 1 Book
Weight: 2 Kg
HSN Code: 49011010
Origin: India
Pages: 328
Author: Dr Nilima Chitgopekar
Dimensions: 23 x 3 x 28 cmProduct description
Review
“This book shows the interface between scriptural and visual representations of Shiva, how he is the family man as husband to Parvati and the ferocious Bhairava whose bulging eyes represent his immersion in the world of the senses. Dr Chitgopekar explains this history with reference to contemporary scholarship.”
PROFESSOR GAVIN FLOOD FBA, scholar of comparative religion

“What I hold in my hands today has left me completely in awe. I have had the profound privilege of experiencing Shakti, Nilima’s magnificent book in this unique visual and literary format. This book has gone one step further – describing it as merely a book would be an injustice; it is a production. It is a nuanced exploration of one of India’s foremost deities, Shiva, the god of gods. The Shaiva universe can feel overwhelming, but Nilima has made it so accessible. I am very excited for everyone to experience this work.”
BOMAN IRANI, actor and director

“Shiva is a book that delights at many levels. It has myths which are sombre, yet humorous, and scriptures that awaken the mind to possibilities of upliftment. Visually, the book is a complete treat, as one encounters illustrations both unique and, at times, astounding. Altogether, it is a well-produced and very engaging book for anyone wanting to know about the culture and religion of India.”
RISHAB RIKHIRAM SHARMA, sitarist and music producer
About the Author
Dr Nilima Chitgopekar is a historian of religion. She has authored seven books, in addition to editing one volume and contributing numerous essays and articles to books and journals. She has been a professor of history at Delhi University for more than four decades and has delivered lectures worldwide, most recently at Harvard University. She has also been the recipient of several prestigious fellowships, including those from the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies, the Charles Wallace India Trust, and the USIS. Dr Chitgopekar has featured in and collaborated on BBC documentaries and radio programmes. Committed to bringing Hindu mythology to a wider audience, she has also been involved in creating several online films. Through her writings and digital presence, she strives to bring academic discourse into the mainstream, so that anyone could engage with the labyrinthine religions of India.