108 Names of Lord Shiva with Meaning (Namavali)

Updated for the 2027 yatra season (facts checked October 2026)

Below is the complete traditional namavali of 108 names, in the order in which it is commonly recited in temples and homes across India. Each name is given in Devanagari in its chanting form, with a simple transliteration of the name and its meaning in plain English. The meanings are our own short renderings of the traditional sense; many names carry deeper layers, and your guru or purohit may explain them differently.

What is the Shiva Ashtottara Shatanamavali?

Ashtottara shata means “one hundred and eight”, and namavali means “a garland of names”. The number 108 is sacred in Hindu tradition: a japa mala has 108 beads, and archana with 108 names is a standard form of worship for every major deity. Shiva’s longer litany, the Shiva Sahasranama, has a thousand names and appears in the Mahabharata and several Puranas. The 108-name list is shorter, easy to complete in ten to fifteen minutes, and is the one most families use in daily or weekly puja.

Each name is in the dative case, with the ending -aya or -e, meaning “to” or “for”. So Om Shivaya Namah means “Om, salutations to Shiva”. That is why the mantra form (for example शिवाय) looks slightly different from the name itself (शिव).

How to chant the 108 names of Shiva

1. Prepare: bathe, sit facing east or north before a Shivalinga or picture of Shiva. Keep 108 bilva leaves, flowers or grains of rice ready, and a diya lit.
2. Begin: chant Om Namah Shivaya three times, or a Ganesha prayer if your family tradition starts that way.
3. Chant each name: say “Om”, the name in its mantra form, and “namah”. With each name, offer one bilva leaf, flower or a few grains of rice at the linga.
4. Keep a steady pace: clarity matters more than speed. If you lose your place, simply continue.
5. Close: offer aarti, then sit quietly for a minute. You may end with the Mahamrityunjaya mantra.

If you cannot read Sanskrit easily, chanting slowly from the transliteration column is perfectly acceptable. Bhakti is what counts.

The 108 names of Lord Shiva (1 to 27)

The 108 names of Lord Shiva (28 to 54)

The 108 names of Lord Shiva (55 to 81)

The 108 names of Lord Shiva (82 to 108)

Notes on a few names

• Girīsha and Giriśa (60 and 61): both appear in the traditional list. The first, with a long ī, means “lord of the mountains”; the second, with a short i, means “one who lies or dwells on the mountain”. They are recited one after the other.
• Names from the stories: several names recall Puranic episodes. Tripurantaka and Purarati refer to the destruction of Tripura; Kamari to the burning of Kamadeva; Dakshadhvarahara, Pushadantabhit and Bhaganetrabhit to the events at Daksha’s yajna; Gangadhara to the descent of the Ganga; Andhakasura Sudana to the slaying of Andhaka.
• Names from the Vedas: Nilalohita, Shipivishta, Kapardi, Shitikantha, Bhava, Sharva and Rudra all occur in the Shri Rudram of the Yajurveda, which shows how old this list’s roots are.
• Hari (96): this name is shared with Vishnu and is read as “the one who removes sins”. It also reflects the tradition that Shiva and Vishnu are one.

When is it best to chant the 108 names?

For a step-by-step Mahashivratri puja and the 2027 muhurat, see our Mahashivratri 2027 guide. To understand the forms behind these names, such as Nataraja, Dakshinamurti and Ardhanarishvara, read Lord Shiva: forms, names and holiest temples.

What are the benefits of chanting Shiva’s 108 names?

Devotees believe the namavali purifies the mind, removes obstacles and brings Shiva’s grace and protection. In the traditional view, each name is a doorway to one quality of the Lord: chanting Mrityunjaya with faith is believed to protect from untimely death; Kripanidhi reminds us of his compassion; Jagadguru of his role as the first teacher. Beyond belief, many people simply find that a fixed daily chant brings calm, focus and a sense of routine. These are matters of faith and experience, not guaranteed results.

How we can help

If you would like a Rudrabhishek performed at a Jyotirlinga in your family’s name, our Kedarnath Rudrabhishek (online puja) and Kashi Vishwanath Rudrabhishek (online puja) can be arranged with your sankalp. To do darshan in person, see our Jyotirlinga yatras and online pujas. For any question, use the enquiry form on this page or call/WhatsApp us (numbers on our Contact page).

Frequently asked questions

What is the first name in the 108 names of Lord Shiva?

The traditional Shiva Ashtottara Shatanamavali begins with “Om Shivaya Namah”, salutations to Shiva, the auspicious one. It is followed by Maheshwara, Shambhu, Pinaki and Shashishekhara. The list ends with the 108th name, “Om Parameshwaraya Namah”, salutations to the supreme lord.

Can women chant the 108 names of Shiva?

Yes. The namavali is a devotional chant open to everyone, regardless of gender, age or caste, and is chanted in homes by women across India every day. Some families follow their own customs during certain days of the month; follow your family tradition, but there is no general bar on women chanting Shiva’s names.

Is it necessary to chant in Sanskrit?

Chanting the names in Sanskrit is traditional, and the sound is considered meaningful. But if you cannot read Devanagari, chanting carefully from a transliteration is fine, and remembering the meaning as you chant deepens the experience. Devotion matters more than perfect pronunciation, especially for beginners and children.

How long does it take to chant all 108 names?

At a calm pace, chanting all 108 names with an offering for each takes about 10 to 15 minutes. Without offerings it can take 6 to 8 minutes. Many people chant once in the morning; on Mondays, Pradosh or Mahashivratri they may repeat it or combine it with abhishek.

What is the difference between the 108 names and the Shiva Sahasranama?

The Ashtottara Shatanamavali has 108 names and is used for quick daily archana. The Shiva Sahasranama has 1,008 or 1,000 names and appears in the Mahabharata (Anushasana Parva) and in Puranas such as the Linga and Shiv Purana, with different versions. The Sahasranama takes much longer and is usually chanted on special occasions.

Which offering should I make with each name?

The most traditional offering is one bilva (bel) leaf with three leaflets for each name. Where bilva is not available, white flowers, akshat (unbroken rice) or a few drops of water on the linga are fine. Tulsi leaves and ketaki flowers are traditionally not offered to Shiva.

Are there other lists of 108 names of Shiva?

Yes. Different regions and sampradayas use slightly different 108-name lists, and some Puranas contain their own. The list on this page is the one most widely used in temples and puja books across India. If your family or temple uses another list, it is equally valid for your worship.