Akash Ganga aka The Milky Way
Hindu lore holds that Lord Shiva gave a place to river Ganga in his jata ( जटा; locked hairs) from where it flows down to become the life-sustaining force she is even today. In the above painting (water-color), we reimagine the traditional image of a meditating Lord Shiva with the Akash Ganga ( आकाशगंगा ; Milky Way) Galaxy emanating from Lord Shiva's jata. Painting by Mr. Nikhil Pradeep. Mr. Pradeep is a UG student at IISc. Concept by self.