A version of this god called Bhikshatana is a beggar who traveled carrying a skull in repentance for cutting off the fifth head of Brahma.
Leaves from the bael tree are offered to this deity on a holiday that commemorates his performing of the tandava nritya. A version of this god called Bhikshatana is a beggar who traveled carrying a skull in repentance for cutting off the fifth head of Brahma. This god is surrounded by a ring of flames in statues depicting him as "the lord of dance," Nataraja. This god is often worshipped in the symbolic form of the lingam. This god drank a poison created by the churning of the ocean of milk, but only his throat turned blue because he was preventatively strangled by his wife Parvati. For 10 points, name this deity who is the "destroyer" aspect of the Hindu Trimurti.
Leaves from the bael tree are offered to this deity on a holiday that commemorates his performing of the tandava nritya.
Shiva [or Mahadeva; accept Nataraja until read]