Ardhanarishvarar

Shloka: In the form of male and female, matted hair with moon, axe, smeared in red (Aruna), wearing snakes and the skin of tiger, embracing the bull and with a bent leg, this the right half, and the left black in color, hand holding a (lily) flower close to the chest, with a silk-like lotus foot, wearing gold ornaments, salutations to the Half female God.

Ardha Nari Ishvarar : half-female God

Sage brings is one of the ardent devotees of Lord Shiva. He used to worship only Lord shiva and not shakti. Goddess Shakti, being the power as the name indicate, pulled out the energy from bringi maharishi's body. Now he was even unable to stand. He pleaded to God. God Shiva provided him with a stick. On its support, he stood and still worshiped Lord shiva alone. Goddess shakti wanted to become an inseparable part of Lord Shiva's form. She observed the kedhara maha vrata austerity, which is now known as Deepavali. Pleased with her austerity, Lord Shiva granted her the boon of being part of His form. So the Lord now appeared male on the right side and female on the left side and hence became ardhanarIshvara.