Sivalingam

INTRODUCTION
Siva lingam is the holy symbol of Lord Siva. The Sanskrit word lingam means symbol, so Siva lingam means symbol of Lord Siva. It is a symbol of that which is invisible yet omnipresent. It is hence a visible symbol of the Ultimate Reality which is present in us. The Sivalingam is also a representation of the infinite Cosmic Column of fire.


STRUCTURE
The Sivalingam is generally mounted on a circular or quadrangular receptacle called the Avudaiyar. This pedestal is designed so as to drain off the water offered during ablution ceremonies. The upper portion of the Shivalingam may be of various shapes, cylindrical, elliptical, umbrella shaped. It is believed that Bhrama is absorbed into the right, Vishnu to the left and Gayatri into the heart.
The Sivalingam worship is intended to be a formless-form (arUparUpam)worship taking the devotee forward from the forms to the natural worship. So Sivalingam worship is a magnificent way of worshiping a easily comprehensible form still maintaining the core fact that the Supreme is formless. It is considered the foremost sacred symbol for Shaivaites and has been worshiped for ages.
Nandi, the bull is depicted facing the sanctum in all Saivite temples, symbolizing the human soul Jeevatma yearning for realizing its oneness with Paramatma.


SIVA MANTRA
Triyambakam/Mrita-Sanjivini/Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra
(Rig veda, Mandala VII, Hymn59)
Om Tryambakam Yajamahe
Sugandhim pushti-vardhanam
Urvarukamiva bandhanan
Mrityor mukshiya mamritat
Om. We worship and adore you, O three eyed one, O Siva. You are sweet gladness, the fragrance of life, who nourishes us, restores our health, and causes us to thrive. As, in due time, the stem of the cucumber weakens, and the gourd is freed from the vine, so free us from attachment and death, and does not withhold immortality.