Deity of the Day : Ardhanarishwara (Sanskrit: अर्धनारीश्वर, Ardhanārīśwara), the gender queer deity.
Ardhanarishwara is a composite androgynous form of the Hindu God Shiva and his consort Parvati. Ardhanarishvara is usually depicted as half male and half female, split down the middle.
Ardhanarishvara represents the synthesis of masculine and feminine energies of the universe (Purusha and Prakriti) and illustrates how Shakti, the female principle of God, is inseparable from (or the same as, according to some interpretations) Shiva, the male principle of God. The union of these principles is exalted as the root and womb of all creation.
The concept of Ardhanarishvara originated in Kushan and Greek cultures simultaneously; the iconography evolved in the Kushan era (30–375 CE), but was perfected in the Gupta era (320-600 CE).
To represent Ardhanarishwara, I chose Kami Sid, an inspiring and brave muslim Pakistani transgender woman, trans activist and first transgender model of her country and of the muslim world
