Chandrashekharar

shlokam:

With the hands in abhaya (protecting) and varada (boon giving) postures, with a pleasing and
decorated expression, a blossomed face and eye, with the shadow created by moon on the crown,
with an upright body, and feet in the same level, Coral like formed, holding the deer and axe, (He)
stay in the lotus pedestal. (of my heart)

purANa of the deity :

cha.ndra shEkharar : moon ornamented Lord (bhOga mUrti)

daksha had twenty seven stars as daughters. All of them were married to moon. But the moon had
special attraction towards rOhiNi. So all the other wives complained it to the father dakasha that
their husband moon is not treating them fairly. daksha got angry and cursed the moon to lose its
luminance (kala) day by day. Everyday the moon started loosing one luminance part ( kala) out of
his 16 parts. Afraid and ashamed moon disappeared into the ocean. There are many herbs that
require the light of the moon to grow. Without moon, they were harmed. Consequently there was
suffering in the world. To end the problem the celestials advised moon to take refuge in the Great
Divine, Lord shiva. Left with only one kalA, he took refuge in Lord Shiva. Being the graceful
Almighty, He wore the moon crescent on His head, making him grow for 15 days and decay for 15
days periodically.
Thus chan^drashEkharar is considered a giver of refuge.