Indian Hindu Holy Figure Mask: "Shiva"

Shiva, Sanskrit for “Auspicious One”, is one of the main deities of Hinduism, whom Shaivas worship as the supreme god. He is the destroyer of all evil. Shiva represents darkness, and is said to be the 'angry god'. However, according to Hinduism, creation follows destruction. Therefore Shiva is also regarded as a reproductive power, which restores what has been dissolved.

Shiva is represented in a variety of forms. He is most commonly shown as a dark-skinned ascetic with a blue throat. His third eye, in the middle of his forehead, is always closed and only opens to annihilate an evil doer.

Hinduism is the oldest living religion, about 4,000 – 5,000 years old. Hindu people believe that Brahman is the creator, preserver and transformer of existence. Gods that are part of Brahman include Vishnu, the preserver god, and Shiva, the god of destruction. Hinduism came from India. No one person founded the religion. There are many Hindu holy books. Hindus honor their deities through worship. Hindus tell stories of the ways that the gods interact with each other and with humans. Hindus believe in rebirth after death (reincarnation); their goal is to escape the movement of the soul into another body and to become one with Brahman.
Source:
http://www.gurjari.net/ico/Mystica/html/shiva.htm
"Shiva." Encyclopedia Britannica. Encyclopedia Britannica Online Academic Edition. Encyclopedia