Hariharan

It is the conjoined name of Hari, Lord Vishnu and Hara(n), Lord Shiva. Once an Asura (demonic being) did great penance and worshipped Lord Shiva for many years. But whenever Lord Shiva appeared before the asura, He refused to give him what he wanted. Finally the demon did the most severe penance by trying to destroy his own body so Lord Shiva appeared before him and gave him the boon he wished for. The demon asked that when he put his hands one someone's head that person would be reduced to ashes! The asura was very happy to receive this boon and went around touching people's heads and reducing them to ashes. Then he started to chase Lord Shiva himself, thinking that if he could destroy Lord Shiva, he himself would become the Almighty. Lord Shiva called on Lord Vishnu to come to his aid. Lord Vishnu assumed the form of a woman and danced in front of the Asura to attract his attention. When the Asura saw the bewitching beauty of Lord Vishnu, he forgot himself and what he was doing and stopped to watch Lord Vishnu's dance. He got down on his knees and begged the lady to marry him. Thus Lord Vishnu, disguised as the lady, agreed - on the condition that she would dance and he would repeat all her actions. The Asura agreed and started following her steps. At one point the woman put her hands on her head and without thinking, the asura followed her example. Instantly, he was reduced to ashes. The beauty of Lord Vishnu in the form of the dancer who distracted the asura and saved Lord Shiva was so great that it is said that Lord Shiva himself was bewitched and wanted to unite with her. Thus both the great energies of Vishnu and Shiva were united in the form of 'Hariharan'.