Shivling, also known as lingam, is an abstract or aniconic representation of the Hindu god Shiva in Shaivism. It is typically the primary murti or devotional image in Hindu temples dedicated to Shiva. The word lingam means “the form” because when the un-manifest began to manifest itself, or in other words when creation began to take place, the first form that took shape was the lingam. The lingam signifies three perfections of Shiva. The upper oval part of the Shivalingam represents Parashiva and lower part of the Shivalingam, called the pitha, represents Parashakti. In Parashiva perfection, Shiva is the absolute reality, the timeless, formless and spaceless. In Parashakti perfection, Shiva is all-pervasive, pure consciousness, power and primal substance of all that exists and it has form unlike Parashiva which is formless.
The lingam is venerated with offerings of milk, water, fresh flowers, young sprouts of grass, fruit, leaves, and sun-dried rice. Among the most important lingams are those called svayambhuva (“self-originated”), which are cylindrical rocks found in caves or on the ground that are believed to have come into existence by themselves at the beginning of time; nearly 70 are venerated in various parts of India.
Shiva Linga is worshipped by the Hindu and is placed in the temples to worship. The Shiva lingam is a representation of the Hindu divinity Shiva and is used for worship in temples and homes.
