Questions tagged [shiva-lingam]

The Shiva Lingam is a representation of Lord Shiva for worship in temples. It also represents the infinite nature of Lord Shiva.

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Why is Shiva primarily worshipped in a linga form?

In Hindu temples, the statues of the deities are present in the sanctum. But in (most) Shiva temples, only a linga is present instead of a Shiva statue. The linga worship seems to be limited only to ...
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What is the significance of pouring milk on the Shivling?

I have seen people pouring milk on the Shivling. What is the significance of this? Image taken from shivmandirsarthali.com
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Who is Rudra deva?

I know Rudra is Lord Shiva. But why is Lord Shiva called as Rudra deva?
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Can devotees drink "Abhishekam water" of Shiva Lingam?

There are many theories on Internet that Shiva Lingam (the material by which Lingam is made) is radioactive and continuously water must be poured on it. By citing this, they opine that water is not ...
The Destroyer's user avatar
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What are the three Shivalingas ( Itara, Bana and Swayambhu) mentioned in some Agama texts?

In Agamas, we find the mention of three Jyotirlingas or Shiva lingas known by the names Itaralinga, BAnalinga and Swayambhu linga. For example in KulArnava Tantram Lord Shiva says: ...
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What is a Shivling? [duplicate]

As far as I know and understand, the Sanskrit word "lingam" लिन्गम् means the genital organ of a human or an animal. Is the Shivling the same thing? If this is so, what is the significance behind ...
Aditya Somani's user avatar
12 votes
1 answer
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What are offerings to shivalinga and what are fruits of it?

What are offerings to shivalinga and what are fruits of it? It is said that if we offer water of river Ganga, we attain Moksha after death, similarly milk is offered for long life. But this ...
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Where is it mentioned that Krishna and Rama Worshipped Shiva Lingam?

My Guruji Sri Sri Ravi Shankar claims that Krishna worshipped the Shiva Lingam, and so did Rama. Does anyone know if this is recorded in the shastras? I have not seen it. Sri Sri Ravishankar Said: "...
Marcus Quinn Rodriguez Tenes's user avatar
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If Shiva Linga is worshiped in all yugas then what curse did Rishi Bhrigu give to Lord Shiva?

EXPLANATION : Shivalinga is said to be the Formless Brahman and is worshiped from the beginning. There is also a story of Bhirgu rishi cursing Lord Shiva when he visited Kailash. It was misunderstood ...
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Why Shivalinga sthapana in temple is unique in Hinduism?

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 ...
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Is Taj Mahal really a Shiva Temple in the past?

I have seen many blogs which claims that Taj Mahal was a Shiva temple in the past. Links for few those blogs are 1. The Tajmahal is Tejomahalay, A Hindu Temple 2. Taj Mahal A Shiv Temple Is there ...
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What scriptures describe the previous birth of Asura Mahabali?

Recently I watched a discourse of Sri Chaganti Koteswara Rao during Maha Sivaratri. He explained greatness of Shiva Lingam by citing the example of the previous birth of the Asura Mahabali. He said ...
The Destroyer's user avatar
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What is the copper pot that is kept hanging above the Shiva Lingam?

In every Shiva temple, I have seen a copper pot (like the one in the picture) that is kept hanging above the Shiva Lingam. It has a hole at its bottom and is filled with water so that water keeps ...
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Why don't we do complete 'Pradaxina' (Circumambulation) of Shivalingam?

Why don't we do complete Pradaxina of lord Shiva - Shivalingam? In a Shiva temple from a panditjee over there I've heard that we can't do complete Pradaxina of Shivalingam because he is ...
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What is the story of tortoise which is just in front of Nandi in Lord Shiva Temple?

I have seen in many temples there are Nandi and tortoise facing the Shiva linga. what is the story of being tortoise facing the Shiva linga?
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Shiv Lingam Position

What is the correct orientation of a domestic Shiv Lingam? Where the Yoni should face? Any position is formally allowed or should be positioned for example facing North or South? In this case , can ...
Lucky Pashu's user avatar
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Is Shiva lingam mentioned in Vedas?

If so, please provide the verses. It would also be helpful if you provide a link.
Sahil Guleri's user avatar
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1 answer
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As per which scriptures worshiping two Shiva Lingas in one house is not considered good?

The book Nitya Karma Puja Prakasha (Gita Press) says: In a house, if two Shiva Lingas (linga dvayam), three Ganeshas, two conch shells (Shankha), two Suryas, three Durga Murtis (or three Shakti ...
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What is the story behind the famous Shiva linga of Amarnath, India?

is considered to be one of the holiest shrines in Hinduism. The cave is surrounded by snowy mountains. Hundreds of thousands of Hindu devotees make an annual pilgrimage to the Amarnath cave on ...
Udhav Sarvaiya's user avatar
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1 answer
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What is the story of Kasi Vishwanatha Jyotirlinga?

Lord Shiva has been worshipped in Linga form from time beginning as described in answer here. Among the Lingas there are 12 Jyotirlingas which are of special importance. Mahatmya of 12 Jyotirlingas is ...
Triyugi Narayan Mani's user avatar
8 votes
1 answer
260 views

What happens to Lord Shiva's trishul during dissolution of universe?

I've read Kashi is absorbed into trishul at the time of Dissolution. But Trishul too has to be absorbed. Can anyone give references about the Trishul? As it has to be absorbed, So Kashi ultimately ...
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1 answer
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What are the benefits of Parad Shiva Linga?

Is it written in any Purana about the benefits of worshiping Lord Shiva in the Parad (mercury) Shiva linga form? If so, can someone pass on the excerpts from the purana. And also, can someone ...
sriinnu's user avatar
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Can you worship an idol of Shiva?

Can you worship a statue (idol) of Lord Shiva? Not just the Shiva linga.
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Who composed "Lingashtakam" & what are the "Asta Daridras" mentioned there in it?

The Lingashtakam is one of the most popular Ashtakams(a Stotram with 8 verses) dedicated to Lord Shiva which praises Him in the abstract "Lingam" form. You can read it here. However,till date,i ...
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Who is the sage Pundarika who saw Vishnu coming out of a Shiva Linga?

I'm currently visiting India, and I just passed by a Vishnu temple in the town of Thiruparkadal in Tamil Nadu. Thiruparkadal is Tamil for "ocean of milk" (Kshirsagara in Sanskrit), referring to the ...
Keshav Srinivasan's user avatar
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0 answers
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What is the explanation for Devi bhagavatam 4:20:36?

What is the explanation and commentary (if any) that Sri Nilakantha Dikshita has provided for Devi Bhagavatam 4:20:36-37? Is the translation for the same available? [Devi bhagavatam 4:20:36-37] : O ...
Pasham Vishnu Vardhan Goud's user avatar
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0 answers
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Which scriptures describe swayambhu linga lakshanas (signs) and what are those?

I have a small book called Shiva Tattva PradipikA which discusses the various facts associated with Lord Shiva by quoting from scriptures like Vedas, Upanishads, Puranas, Agamas. In it we find the ...
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4 answers
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Can we keep Shiva Linga at home?

Can we keep the Siva Linga at home and is this good or bad for families? Some of the Lord Shiva's devotees are advising me to avoid the Shiva Linga to keep in home.
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7 votes
1 answer
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What is the story of Rameshwaram Jyotirlinga?

Lord Shiva has been worshipped in Linga form from time beginning as described in answer here. Among the Lingas there are 12 Jyotirlingas which are of special importance. Mahatmya of 12 Jyotirlingas is ...
Triyugi Narayan Mani's user avatar
7 votes
1 answer
4k views

What is the story of Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga?

Lord Shiva has been worshipped in Linga form from time beginning as described in answer here. Among the Lingas there are 12 Jyotirlingas which are of special importance. Mahatmya of 12 Jyotirlingas is ...
Triyugi Narayan Mani's user avatar
7 votes
1 answer
12k views

How to determine whether a Banalinga is genuine or not?

Getting a Banalinga (also known as Narmada Shiva Linga or Narmadeswar Shiva linga) is quite easy these days. You will get them in shops selling religious items. And, they are also sold on websites ...
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What are some Stories of Lord Shiva which show tremendous Love of him to his devotees?

Can anyone provide some proofs that show Lord Shiva really includes his devotees as part of his own? A serial based on Mahadeva, they sometimes show as if Lord Shiva has unequal vision for his ...
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7 votes
1 answer
578 views

What is the story of Kedarnath Jyotirlinga?

Lord Shiva has been worshipped in Linga form from time beginning as described in answer here. Among the Lingas there are 12 Jyotirlingas which are of special importance. Mahatmya of 12 Jyotirlingas is ...
Triyugi Narayan Mani's user avatar
6 votes
1 answer
1k views

Can we wear Banalinga as pendant around our neck?

Banalingas or Narmada lingas are considered as Swayambhu Shiva Lingams which are found on the river beds of Narmada river. There are many shops which sell them online as wearable pendants. Like this: ...
Rickross's user avatar
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6 votes
1 answer
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What is the story of Trayambakeshwara Jyotirlinga?

Lord Shiva has been worshipped in Linga form from time beginning as described in answer here. Among the Lingas there are 12 Jyotirlingas which are of special importance. Mahatmya of 12 Jyotirlingas is ...
Triyugi Narayan Mani's user avatar
6 votes
1 answer
395 views

Has Shiva Linga worship been diluted over time from the real to the unreal?

What do the ancient writings say about worshiping Shiva Linga. Is the phenominal Shiva linga that is worshipped today a true representation of the God head or is the the long forgotten subtle Shiva ...
Frank Hestermann's user avatar
6 votes
2 answers
3k views

What is the significance of viewing Shiva-Linga from in between the ears of Nandi?

I have seen in many temples of Lord Shiva where people do pradakshinas and then while entering/leaving the Sanctrum, they see Shiva-Linga from in between the ears of the Nandi statue which is exactly ...
Mr_Green's user avatar
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6 votes
1 answer
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Which one of Vedas has referred to Dhyanalinga consecrated by Sadhguru?

In Sadhguru More Than A Life, one of his disciples mentioned a priest in Trichy mentioning Dhyanalinga is consecrated by a Grihasta Yogi, and he remembers reading about this in one of the Vedas. Does ...
Tango's user avatar
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1 answer
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What is the story of Bheemshankar Jyotirlinga?

Lord Shiva has been worshipped in Linga form from time beginning as described in answer here. Among the Lingas there are 12 Jyotirlingas which are of special importance. Mahatmya of 12 Jyotirlingas is ...
Triyugi Narayan Mani's user avatar
6 votes
1 answer
5k views

What is the story of Vaidyanath Jyotirlinga?

Lord Shiva has been worshipped in Linga form from time beginning as described in answer here. Among the Lingas there are 12 Jyotirlingas which are of special importance. Mahatmya of 12 Jyotirlingas is ...
Triyugi Narayan Mani's user avatar
6 votes
0 answers
163 views

Is the worship of white Shivalinga forbidden at home?

I recently got myself a Shwet (white) Shivalinga. But I read somewhere on the Internet that worshipping of shwet shivalinga is only permissible at shamsaan and not at home. Is it true? If false is ...
Un Known's user avatar
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5 votes
2 answers
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"Akasam Lingamityahu..." which Purana is the source of this verse?

I have a small book on Lord Shiva called "Shiva Tattva Pradipika". In the final chapter of the book i found the verse in question. The author says its a Puranic verse but does not mention which ...
Rickross's user avatar
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What is the difference between red-blue rudra and the karpur gauram shankar rudra?

I know there are multiple rudras, the rudra born from brahma is said to be red and blue in colour, but sankar or ShiVa are said to be karpur gauram and nila kantham, what's the difference between the ...
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What is the story of Ghushmeshwara Jyotirlinga?

Lord Shiva has been worshipped in Linga form from time beginning as described in answer here. Among the Lingas there are 12 Jyotirlingas which are of special importance. Mahatmya of 12 Jyotirlingas is ...
Triyugi Narayan Mani's user avatar
5 votes
1 answer
2k views

What is the story of Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga?

Lord Shiva has been worshipped in Linga form from time beginning as described in answer here. Among the Lingas there are 12 Jyotirlingas which are of special importance. Mahatmya of 12 Jyotirlingas is ...
Triyugi Narayan Mani's user avatar
5 votes
1 answer
547 views

What is the story of Somanath Jyotirlinga?

Lord Shiva has been worshipped in linga form from time beginning as described in answer here. Godesses Saraswati in Linga Purana states: सर्वं लिंगमयं लोकं सर्वं लिंगे प्रतिष्ठितम् । तस्मात्सर्वं परि...
Triyugi Narayan Mani's user avatar
5 votes
1 answer
212 views

4 of 12 Jyotirlinga are in Maharashtra ; please confirm?

Tryambakeshwar Bhimshankar Vaidyanath Ghrishneshwar Hello. am confused with some maps showing Vaidyanath to be located in Parli, Maharashtra and some in Deogarh, Jharkhand. Any literary proof to ...
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5 votes
1 answer
788 views

What are the salient features of Rameswaram Shivalinga mentioned in Ramacharitmanas?

It is believed that the presiding deity, of the Ramanathaswamy Temple(in Rameswaram)viz the Lingam of Lord Ramanathaswamy(Lord Shiva), was consecrated by Lord Sri Rama. It is learnt that in the ...
Uday Krishna's user avatar
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Prayers to Lord Shiva for daily meditation

I have a lady friend whom I have advised to meditate to Lord Shiva for 15-30 minutes daily. She is not practicing any formal sadhana and have some worldly desires that she tries to achieve by turning ...
prem's user avatar
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5 votes
1 answer
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What is the story of Nageshwar Jyotirlinga?

Lord Shiva has been worshipped in Linga form from time beginning as described in answer here. Among the Lingas there are 12 Jyotirlingas which are of special importance. Mahatmya of 12 Jyotirlingas is ...
Triyugi Narayan Mani's user avatar