A fierce form or manifestation of the Hindu god, Shiva, he is a guardian deity and one of the central deities of Tantrism and Kashmir Shaivism. Within the Hindu religious tradition, there are several further forms and aspects of Bhairava, including the Eight Bhairavas, the 64 Bhairavas and Vatuka-Bhairava. His iconographical depictions may include elements such as matted locks, protruding teeth, snakes as ornaments, a garland of skulls or a skull held in one hand, along with several weapons.