Why Shivalinga sthapana in temple is unique in Hinduism?

Question

I have seen that in many hindu temples, all other deity's statues are brought from the entrance of the temple and some "Pran Pratistha" ritual Vidhi(method) is performed.

But when the shiva Linga is established, the roof is cut and `Shiva Linga_ is established from sky only!!

In gujarat,India in one temple, I have seen such establishment of Shiva Linga. So because of my curious nature, I asked people why such a unique way of Shiva Linga only? Other statues were taken from entrance only..

They said, Shiva is unborn, so his incarnation is not possible from any mother's womb. So in hinduism Shiva linga is established from sky, means the Shiva directly comes from sky(Paramdham or Kailash) only.

Does anybody know about this? Is there any explanation in some hindu scripture?

But I heard this again from Pujari also. I asked some Brahmakumari sisters also to verify, they also told me the same thing. So I trusted what everybody told me. But now this made me more curious about this. Can anybody please cite some sources?

Answer 1

Yes, there is truth value in what they said. The linga from of Shiva denotes the unborn supreme Brahman. The origin of linga has been described in Shiva Purana, Linga Purana, etc. The linga denotes a column of fire that extends infinitely from top to bottom without a middle:

etasminnantare liṃgamabhavaccāvayoḥ puraḥ
vivādaśamanārthaṃ hi prabodhārthaṃ ca bhāsvaram
jvālāmālāsahasrāḍhyaṃ kālānalaśatopamam
kṣayavṛddhivinirmuktamādimadhyāṃtavarjitam [LP - 17.33,34]

Meaning
Then after that a bright linga appeared between both of us to counsel our arguments. That linga was surrounded by thousands of flames and hot like fire of death. Without any beginning and end, that was free from decay and growth.

As per the Shaiva Puranas the linga form appeared before Brahma and Vishnu to solve their dispute regarding who is supreme between them.

Installation

Regarding it's installation, it is not compulsory to install the linga from the sky alone. The linga can be taken into the temple through the open doors or through predetermined place for doors present in the particular direction. But in the absence of such appropriate doors, the rule is to install the linga from sky without touching the door or by taking it over the stone that will be used to close the doors (dwara bandha):

lingaṃ samsthāpya datvārghya prāsādaṃ sanniveśayet
dvāreṇa dvārabandhena dvaradeśena tacchilā
dvārabandhe śikhaśunye tadardhenātha tadrute
varjayan dvārasamsparśaṃ dvāreṇaiva mahesvaram [Agni. Pu. - 97.21,22]

Meaning
After offering arghya to the linga install it in the temple by taking it through the open door or through the doorstep (dwara bandaha) without touching the door. Otherwise, install the God from the sky taking it over the doorstep.

Answer 2

Telling from vedas is all more different from what you see in real world.Vedas tells about how to make a man reach highest position ie Samadarshi or universal brotherhood.Temples are representations of the principle for attaining same.

TEMPLE: Normally learned as place for workship. But in olden days Guru and students aka Shishyas stay at Mahashala(now called as temples). Guru teaches student his lessons to attain Honorable position of Samadarshi. after teaching he is shifted to other place for practicing what he had learned, that place is parikshith.So as centuries moved on these 2 structures remained , the mahashala became normal temple and other became SHiva temple.

Shivalinga : According to Vedas Shivalinga Represents the shape of the Paramanu aka GOD particle (most minute particle by which the universe was created by god) when it enters divinity. Its not to be compared with shape of any human organs.

Unique to Hinduism: Since Hinduism is the only Science which tells about paramanu, its unique to hinduism. Its written in Vedas how the universe has came into existence. Its has been given very very descriptively. But problem with Vedas is that it is written in vyanjaka language. This language takes a style which leads a person to think the different from what is written and its true meaning can only be gained by the person who is equivalent in greatness to the one who have written it or say who have found the truth within.

So a Person equivalent to MahaRishis who have written the Vedas can only decipher it.