Maha Shivratri: How Does Lord Shiva Connect CERN In Switzerland And India?

A Nataraj statue at CERN, Switzerland, symbolises the connection between Lord Shiva's cosmic dance and the study of subatomic particles at CERN. Read all about it.

The CERN campus in Geneva (left) and the Nataraj statue (right).

Source : CERN/ Unsplash@Kenneth Lu

Wednesday marks the end of Maha Kumbh and the celebration of Maha Shivratri in honour of Lord Shiva. Shiv Ratri is one of the biggest festivals in India, the country where each religion is celebrated with equal fervour. On this day, we bring you a fascinating connection between Lord Shiv and CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research in Switzerland.

The connection between the Hindu deity and the world of modern physics is symbolised by a majestic Nataraj statue standing proudly at CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research in Geneva. CERN is known for the discovery of the Higgs boson and the invention of the World Wide Web, among other notable research.

Nataraj Statue A Gift From India

The Nataraj statue, gifted by the Government of India in 2004, celebrates the long-standing collaboration between India and CERN, which began in the 1960s and continues to flourish today. The 2-metre-tall bronze statue is more than just a decorative piece; it represents a profound metaphor that bridges ancient mythology with modern physics.

The artist of the sculpture was Rajan from Tamil Nadu, who was commissioned by the Indian Ministry of External Affairs through the Central Cottage Industries Emporium. It was unveiled by the Director General, Dr Robert Aymar, His Excellency Mr K. M. Chandrasekhar, Ambassador (WTO-Geneva) and Dr Anil Kakodkar, Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission and Secretary, Dept of Atomic Energy, India.

As per a statement by the CERN, the statue was presented to CERN by the Department of Atomic Energy of India and was unveiled on June 18, 2004. Dr Manmohan Singh was the Prime Minister of India back then.

India's relations with Switzerland can be traced back to the 1950s and 1960s. India became an Associate member state of CERN on January 16, 2017. 

Nataraj And The Cosmic Dance

In Hindu mythology, Nataraj is the depiction of Shiva as the cosmic dancer, whose dance, known as Tandava, symbolises the eternal cycle of creation, preservation, and destruction. This concept resonates deeply with the work at CERN, where physicists study the "cosmic dance" of subatomic particles, exploring the fundamental building blocks of the universe and the forces that govern them.

'Nataraj', literally translates to "Lord of Dance", embodying the cosmic dance of creation and destruction. This iconic form symbolises Shiva's role as the destroyer, preserver, and regenerator of the universe. Nataraj is depicted dancing within a halo of flames, representing the cyclical nature of life and the universe. His dance, known as Tandava, is a powerful metaphor for the eternal cycle of birth, death, and rebirth.

Each element of Nataraj's depiction holds deep symbolism: the drum signifies creation, the flame represents destruction, and the foot planted on 'Apasmara' represents victory over ignorance. The 'baby' on which Lord Shiv is standing is the Apasmara or  'Muyalak' demon.

Bridging Mythology And Science

The presence of Nataraj at CERN highlights the connection between ancient wisdom and modern science. Physicist Fritjof Capra popularised this metaphor in his book 'The Tao of Physics' in the 1970s, drawing parallels between Shiva's cosmic dance and the rhythms of creation and destruction observed in modern physics.

A plaque near the statue quotes Capra: "Hundreds of years ago, Indian artists created visual images of dancing Shivas in a beautiful series of bronzes. In our time, physicists have used the most advanced technology to portray the patterns of the cosmic dance. The metaphor of the cosmic dance thus unifies ancient mythology, religious art, and modern physics."

Two days after the unveiling of the statue, Fritjof on his website said: "In choosing the image of Shiva Nataraj, the Indian government acknowledged the profound significance of the metaphor of Shiva’s dance for the cosmic dance of subatomic particles, which is observed and analysed by CERN’s physicists."