Ardhanarishvara is that state of Shiva when this ultimate man, who is a symbol of masculinity became half-woman. This form arose when after Shiva and Shakti’s (Parvati) marriage, Goddess Parvati insisted her consort experience that state where he is entirely within himself, so to fulfill her wish Shiva shed half of himself to fuse with Parvati, thus forming Ardhanarishvara; this form manifests that masculine and feminine are equally divided within yourself and if they meet, you are in a perpetual state of ecstasy. It is the divine glorious androgyne, worshipped dedicatedly in many parts of the country.