Lord Shiva is one of the Hindu Trinity, comprising Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshvara. Shiva is thought to be responsible for the maintenance of life cycle. Shiva is the only god who is in deep meditation for eternity and totally absorbed in contemplation in his abode, the Kailaasa mountain of Himalayas. Shiva is worshipped as a `Lingam` so as to imagine him most basic and formless divine entity. He is commonly portrayed as an ascetic with a serpent around his neck, `Vibhuti` or sacred ash adoring his face, bare body covered with only a tiger skin, a Trishul or trident on his one hand, a `Kamandalu` (sacred container of holy water) and a `Damaru`(small drum) on his other hand.

The Shiva Aarti is as follows-
Jai Shiv onkara, Prabhu jai Shiv onkara
Brahma Vishnu Sadashiv ardhangi dhara, Om
Har Har Mahadev....
Ekanan, chaturanan, panchanan raje,
Hansasan GarudaSan Vrishvahan saje, Om Har
Har Mahadev....
Do bhuj, charu chaturbhui dashmukh ati sohe
Tinon rup nirakhte tribhuvan janmohe, Om Har
Har Mahadev....
Akshyamala banamala mundmal dhari
Chandan mrigmad sohai, bhale shubhkari, Om
Har Har Mahadev....
Shvetambar Pitambar Bagambar ange,
Brahmadik Sankadik Pretadik sange, Om Har
Har Mahadev....
Kar madhye kamandalu au trishul bhari,
Sukhkari dukhahari jagpalankari, Om Har Har
Mahadev....
Brahma Vishnu Sadashiv janat aviveka,
Pranavakshar men shobhit ye tinon eka, Om
Har Har Mahadev....
Trigun svami ki arti jo koi nar gave
Kahat Shivanand svami man vanchhit phal pave.

Since Shiva is considered as one of the trinity, the aarti also worships him as trio-god. The devout soul prays to Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshvara to relive him from his afflictions. The trinity is the absolute, true being, consciousness and bliss. Lord Vishnu has one face, Brahma has four faces while Shiva has five. This is a joyous sight for the beholders. Brahma prefers to sit on the back of swan, Vishnu`s seat is Garuda while Shiva uses sacred bull for conveyance. Brahma possesses two arms, Vishnu four and Shiva has ten arms, hence called as Dashabaahu, all of which together looks glorious.

Shiva or Omkara is wearing garlands of Rudraksha, forest flowers and skulls. Shivas Forehead is glistening with moonlight which it holds and smeared with sandal-paste and musk. His body is attired in white and yellow silken clothes and tiger skin. Shiva is accompanied by troops of goblins, gods like Brahma and divine prophets like Sankara.

Shiva holds a `Kamandalu`in one hand and a trident or `Trishul` in other hand. He brings joy to all, destroy the distress and sustain the whole world.The ignorant know that Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshvara are three individual gods, but all three of them are unified in a single sacred Mantra `OM`.

Swami Shivananda says that one who recites this aarti to the lord of the three `Guna`s-`Sattva`, `Rajas` and `Tamas`attain fulfillment of their desire.