Know The Reasons Why is Lord Shiva Worshipped Primarily in a Linga Form

One of the three paramount deities of the Hindu Pantheon, Lord Shiva or “the Auspicious One” is loved and revered in Shaivism as the Supreme God. In Hinduism, Lord Shiva in his linga form is revered by his worshippers. It is called the Shivling or Shivalinga. At the point when a Linga is introduced on a Yoni, it signifies the association of Shiva and Shakti - the start of creation. It is found at a temple's focal point, resting in a rimmed, circle molded yoni.

Lord Shiva's Lingam is a representation of the Universe, and it signifies an entryway into the spiritual realm. Lord Shiva in the linga form comprises 2 parts- Shiva Linga, which is the ling, and the Panapattam, which signifies the Universal self (Lord Shiva) in his aroused state. This mix is likewise deciphered as the reproduction function where the Ling represents the Phallus and Panapattam or Yoni represents the Vagina of the Universal Parents.

As indicated by Hindu Mythology, at first, before creation started, there was a fierce disagreement between Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu about who is supreme. Lord Mahadev showed up as a little section of fire between them which continued expanding both upwards and downwards. A glorious voice was then heard expressing that whoever between the two was the supreme would find the end of this fire column, for which both Brahma and Vishnu raced to either side of the fire column. While Brahma rode to the top on his swan, Vishnu traveled to the base where inevitably he discovered that it has no closure and acknowledged his loss. But, Brahma lied that he saw the tip of the section and was penalized for his blatant lie.

The column of the fire, which represents the whole universe is venerated as Lord Shiva Lingam, which holds the heavenly grandiose energy. Even when all other gods are worshipped in their idol form, the reason behind why Lord Shiva is worshipped in linga form is because Lord Shiva Lingam signifies grand heavenly energy. Shiva, the name signifies "one who offers Mangalam (ceaseless goodness)" which is acquired through divine wisdom. To acquire this wisdom, it is essential to venerate the Shiva linga as Dhyanalinga which is the perpetual wellspring of energy, proposed to the admirers through its circular structure. In yogic legend, the Shiva linga is viewed as the principal structure to emerge when creation happens, and the last structure before the disintegration of creation.

Let’s learn what a jyotirlinga is. A jyotirlinga is a representation of the Supreme Lord Shiva. It is a Sanskrit word that implies " Radiance". The Shiva Purana refers to 64 Jyotirlingas. Out of these 64, 12 Lord Shiva Lingams are called Mahajyotirlingam or the Great Jyotirlingas.

Somnath : Announcing the dawn of the Dwadash Jyotirlinga pilgrimage, the site is conventionally deemed as the first pilgrimage site. It is noted down in history that the temple at this site was plundered 16 times but was rebuilt again.

Mallikarjuna : Also called the Srisaila, the temple at this site is an architectural splendor and houses numerous sculptures. It houses the Lord Shiva Lingam and Shakthipeetha together.

Mahakaleshwar : The Lord Shiva Lingam present here is deemed to be Swayambhu out of all the 12 Maha Jyotirlingas. It faces the South and is the only Lord Shiva in his linga form that has the Shri Rudra Yantra positioned upside down on the Garbhagriha’s ceiling. It houses the Lord Shiva Lingam and Shakthipeetha together.

Omkareshwar : Located on an island along the Narmada River, it is home to the Mahala temple that houses a Jyotirlinga shrine.

Kedarnath : Situated closest to Lord Shiva’s actual abode in the Kailasha mountains, this temple housing the Lord Shiva Lingam is an important site for Hindu’s Char Dham Yatra. This site can only be visited once every six months.

Bhimashankar: Located in Khed Taluka of Daakini country, the temple that houses the Lord Shiva Lingam here is called the Dakini Tmple.

Vishweshwara : This Lord Shiva lingam is located in Kashi, Varanasi. UP is supposed to be the home to Vishwanath Jyotirlinga sanctum. It is likewise one of the Padal petra stalam of Vada Naadu that has been referenced in Thevaaram. It is located on the western banks of the blessed river Ganga. Lord Shiva in the linga form present here is known as Vishwanath, the leader of the universe. Varanasi is perhaps the most ancient city in the world and thus the temple was built there.

Trayambakeshwar: This Jyotirlinga is located on the banks of the Godavari and the legend says that this temple represents the birth of the river also.

Nageshwara : This temple is located in Gujarat, close to Jamnagar, and is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas referenced in the Shiv Purana. This Lord Shiva Lingam is popularly called the Dvādaśa Jyotirliṅga Stotram.

Baidyanath : It is viewed as one of the holiest abode of Lord Shiva. It is situated in Deoghar in Santhal Parganas division of the province of Jharkhand. This is prevalently called Baba Baidyanath where the Jyotirlinga is introduced. There are additionally 21 different temples around here. According to the Hindu legends, Ravana revered Shiva here to acquire the aid of 10 heads.

Rameshwaram : The southernmost Jyotirlinga in India is located in Tamil Nadu.

Grishneshwar : This temple housing the Lord Shiva Lingam is alluded to as Ghushmeshwar temple in the Shiv Purana. It is one of the temples of Shiv referenced in the Shiv Purana.

Lord Shiva was once enquired by Goddess Parvati about the correct way of worshipping Lord Shiva’s Lingam. While Shiva was clarifying about the rituals, Nandi was also present and also knew about this sacrosanct point. The information was given to Sanatkumar, who thus told it to Sage Vyasa. Suta got to know it from Shailadi. Lord Shiva had depicted the three techniques, by the assistance of which a true devotee ought to become pure before beginning his worship-. 1. Varuna Snan (cleaning up in open) 2. Bhashma Snan (spreading remains) 3. Mantra Snan (reciting of mantra).

Lord Shiva had explained the significance of cleaning up in a stream or a lake. As indicated by him a man's psyche, which resembles a lotus, would never bloom except if it got the brilliance of the sun. While explaining the strategies for taking Bhasmasnan, he said- “After cleaning up his hands and feet, a true devotee should apply any of the accompanying things on his body to make it unadulterated- mud, cow dung cinders, and so on. In the wake of becoming unadulterated as indicated by the strategies referenced above, he should then worship Lord Varuna. Having done, this, he should take a dunk in the stream after purging the water by reciting the holy 'Adhamarshan' mantra. He should then worship every one of the gods by sprinkling water from the Shankh (Conch) and in the midst of the recitation of mantras like 'Rudren Pavamanaen' and so on, he should then think about the form of a Lord Shiva Lingam.

A true devotee ought to initiate his love and worship solely after becoming unadulterated. Initially, he ought to perform Pranayama multiple times so his lungs are topped off with natural air. He ought to sanitize every one of the articles needed for worshipping by reciting OM NAMAH SHIVAY. He ought to likewise make contributions of rice grains, grain, flowers, and so on to Lord Shiva in the Linga form.