<Tr> <Td> <Ul> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> </Ul> </Td> </Tr> <Ul> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> </Ul> <P> A lingam (Sanskrit: लिङ्गम्, IAST: liṅgaṃ, lit . "sign, symbol or mark"; also linga, Shiva linga) is an abstract or aniconic representation of the Hindu deity Shiva, used for worship in temples, smaller shrines, or as self - manifested natural objects . The lingam is often represented as resting on disc shaped platform called a yoni or pitha . Lingayats wear a lingam, called Ishtalinga . </P> <P> According to Shaiva Siddhanta which is one the major school of Shaivism (Shaivism is one of 4 major sampradaya of Hinduism), Lord Shiva has 3 perfections: Parashiva, Parashakti and Parameshwara . The upper oval part of the Shivalingam represent Parashiva and lower pedestrial part of Shivalingam or pitha represent Parashakti . In Parashiva perfection, Lord Shiva is absolute reality which is beyond human comprehension and is beyond all attributes . In this aspect Lord Shiva is timeless, formless and spaceless . In Parashakti perfection, Lord Shiva is all - pervasive, pure consciousness, power and primal substance of all that exists and it has form unlike Parashiva which is formless . </P>

Linga stones are abstract symbols associated with the god