Shiva is one of the principal deities of Hinduism. Shiva is one of the six primary forms of the Divine in Smartism, a denomination of Hinduism that puts particular emphasis on six deities, the other five being Vishnu, Shakti, Ganesha, Kartikkeya and Surya. Shiva is also known as the destroyer or transformer in the Hindu Trinity. Shiva is usually worshipped as the Shiva linga. In images, he is generally represented as immersed in deep meditation or dancing the Tandava upon the demon of ignorance in his manifestation of Nataraja, the lord of the dance.

Wood carving in India is a traditional art which is passed on by master craftsmen through the generations. India has had an ancient tradition of wood carving. There has been a complete revival of the traditional and antique wood craft, owning to its uniqueness and demand in India and abroad. Indian artisans are experimenting with designs to create a blend of traditional and modern woodcraft. The whole of North India has a tradition of carved wooden doors with intricate designs, brass inlay and trellis work for the windows. Assam, which has extensive forests, has a rich tradition of wood works. Their places of worship included large carvings of mythical figures. In Bengal, the clay houses have large wooden pillars and beams with intricate carvings. Number of folk forms has been developed in woodwork all over India.