The "priest" with the lingam behind him. In Hinduism, the lingam, symbol of the god Shiva, is worshipped as an emblem of generative power. Although not all simple columns, the ones we have seen have all been stylized. As the symbol of male creative energy the lingam is combined with its female counterpart, the yoni - a uterus-shaped stone "basin" from which the lingam rises. Although the lingam originally may have had no relation to Shiva, it has from ancient times been regarded as symbolizing Shiva's creative energy and is widely worshiped as his fundamental form. Often Shiva temples, unlike those of other gods - Hanuman for instance - have no anthropomorphic representation of Shiva.

© Monica & Mark Hughes 2000-02