καιρός remembered

Lingam cult

The lingam and the yoni are worshipped in thousands of temples and shrines dedicated to Shiva throughout India. Devotees come there, bring flowers and other offerings, perform a puja, pray and then leave again.

Sometimes they bathe the lingam in milk, rub it with ash and other ingredients, pour water over it and cover it with flowers and leaves, whilst constantly reciting ‘om namah Shiva’. It can be a truly beautiful, moving spectacle.

The fact that only female worshippers can be seen in these photos is a coincidence, or perhaps it is down to my own bias. Just as many men as women come to pray. But Shiva must certainly be delighted to be pampered so lovingly by women’s hands.

Photo of the week: Lingam worship, Orchha, Madhya Pradesh, India 2009