| Shiva is a major Hindu god and one aspect of | | | | heart. The Shivalingam is also a representation of the |
| Trimurti. In the Shaiva tradition of Hinduism, Shiva is | | | | infinite Cosmic Column of fire, whose origins, Vishnu |
| seen as the Supreme God. In the Smarta tradition, he | | | | and Bhrama were unable to trace. (see |
| is one of the five primary forms of God. Followers of | | | | Lingodbhavar). |
| Hinduism who focus their worship upon Shiva are | | | | Legend has it that Parvati fashioned a Shivalingam |
| called Shaivites or Shaivas. Shaivism, along with | | | | with a fistful of sand at Kanchipuram and worshipped |
| Vaisnava traditions that focus on Vishnu and Sakta | | | | Shiva; this lingam is known as the Prithvilingam, |
| traditions that focus on the goddess Devi are three | | | | denoting the primordial element earth. Shivalingams in |
| of the most influential denominations in Hinduism. | | | | several temples are swayambus, or that which |
| Shiva is usually worshipped in the form of Shiva linga. | | | | appeared on their own, or that which is untouched |
| In images, he is generally represented as immersed in | | | | by a chisel. On the other hand, there are temples |
| deep meditation or dancing the Tandava upon Maya, | | | | where the Shivalingam is carved out of stone and |
| the demon of ignorance in his manifestation of | | | | installed. The highly polished Shivalingams of the |
| Nataraja, the lord of the dance. In some Hindu | | | | Pallava period bear several stripes, as in the |
| denominations, Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva represent | | | | Kailasanatha temple at Kanchipuram. The Shivalingam |
| the three primary aspects of the divine in Hinduism | | | | is generally mounted on a circular or quadrangular |
| and are collectively known as the Trimurti. In this | | | | receptacle called the Avudaiyar. This pedestal is |
| school of religious thought, Brahma is the creator, | | | | designed so as to drain off the water offered during |
| Vishnu is the maintainer or preserver, and Shiva is the | | | | ablution ceremonies. In temples such as Kanchipuram, |
| destroyer or transformer. | | | | abhishekam is offered only to the pedestal and not |
| The non antrhropomorphic Lingam form of Shiva is | | | | to the Shivalingam made of sand. The bottom of the |
| what is held in reverence in temples all over the sub | | | | pedestal represents Bhrama, the octogonal middle |
| continent. The Lingam is a symbol. It is a symbol of | | | | represents Vishnu and the upper circular portion |
| that which is invisible yet omnipresent. It is hence a a | | | | represents Shiva. The upper portion of the |
| visible symbol of the Ultimate Reality which is present | | | | Shivalingam may be of various shapes, cylindrical, |
| in us (and in all objects of creation ). The Shivalingam | | | | elliptical, umbrella shaped. Images may also be (rarely) |
| denotes the primeval energy of the Creator.It is | | | | carved on a Shivalingam. Nandi, the bull is depicted |
| believed that at the end of all creation, during the | | | | facing the sanctum in all Saivite temples, symbolizing |
| great deluge, all of the different aspects of God find | | | | the human soul Jeevatma yearning for realizing its |
| a resting place in the Lingam; Bhrama is absorbed into | | | | oneness with Paramatma, the ultimate reality. |
| the right, Vishnu to the left and Gayatri into the | | | | |