Lingams

Parartha Lingam

The following types of lingams are called as Parartha Lingam

 -  Syambhu Lingam  This type of Lingam comes out From earth.

 -  Gana Lingam      This type of lingam is installed and worshiped by Goddess Parvathi, Lord           

                                  Ganapathi, and Lord Subrahmanyam.

  - Dhaiveka Lingam   This type of lingam is installed and worshiped by lord bramha and Vishnu.

   -  Aarida Lingam       This type of lingam is installed andworshiped by Rishis.

   -  Manushya Lingam  This type of lingam is installed and worshiped by human beings

Istha Lingam This lingam is installed by dedicated shiva devotees, who performs shiva puja with out having any food or water under the instructions of their Guru.

Urdva Retas,  Hiranya Retas, Nidhana pataye namah these are all the names of Lord Shiva in Shiva Sahsram and Shiva Asthotram. We call him with this names because, he appeared as Lingodhbhavar murti in the form of a pillar of Fire, all the above names refer to flame and shiva lingam.

God is formless which is called formless. He is every thing so how can we give a form to such an infinte person. But for the benefit of Pashus he took the form of shiva lingam. Shiva Lingam is not a form but it is symbol which is called as Arupa Rupam.

All the deities wear Istha Lingam of their choice on their bodies. The lingams weared by each deities are as follows.

Vishnu	Indra Neelayamaya Lingam -  Sapphire [Kousthubhamani] -
Bhrama	Chandrakanta Lingam [Sailamaya Lingam]
Indra	Manimaya Lingam
Sun	Tamramaya Lingam [Copper]
Chandra	Mukthi Lingam [Pearl]
Lakshmi	Srivriksha Lingam (Bilwa Vriksham)
Kubera	Hema Lingam (Gold)
Four Vishwadevtas	Arakota Lingam (Bronze)
Ashta Vasus	Kansya Lingam (Brass)
Ashwini Devtas	Partheeva Lingam (Mud)
Varun	Sphatika Lingam [Quartz]
Agni	Annamaya Lingam [ Rice ]
Niruti	Darujamaya Lingam [Teak Wood]
Pannagas	Pravaalamaya Lingam [Nagamani]
Rakshasas	Krishnaaya Samaya Lingam [Coal]
Pisachas	Seesha Lingam [Glass]
Guhyakas	Triloka Lingam  {three metals including iron}
Saptamatrukas	Sarvalohamaya Lingam {all metals}
Chamundi	Saikata Lingam {Sand}
Durga Devi	Pishtamaya Lingam {made of flour}
Manonmani	Gandha Lingam {Sandalwood}
Saraswati	Doorva Lingam {medicated grass Lingam}
Srutis	Dadhimaya Lingam {Curd/Yoghurt}
Mantras	Aajya Lingam {pure Cow Ghee}
Maharshis	Kuusaagramaya Lingam {Darbhai}
Yama	Marakata Lingam {Emerald}
Gopakis	Navaneeta Lingam {Butter}
Angarakan (Mars)	Pagadapu Lingam {Coral}
Budhan (Mercury)	Pancharatna Lingam {Green Diamond}
Brahaspati {Guru}	Pushparaga Lingam
Sukran {Diamond}	Vajrapu Lingam
Saturn {Blue}	Neelamani Lingam
Rahu {Topaz}	Gomedhaka Lingam
Ketu {Lapis-Lazuli}	Vaidhurya Lingam