Shiva Linga – why worship the Shiva phallus? (Part 2)

Six years ago, Sunita Giri wrote the first part of this discussion. On the occasion of Shiva Ratri, I would like to discuss further to the issue.

Read Shiva Linga – why worship the Shiva phallus?

Summary of Part 1

Sunita was disgusted and surprised to know that the Shiva Linga worshiped as the Lord Shiva is in fact a phallus (penis). Although born Hindu, she lost the respect for the religion due to that fact that people worship somebody’s phallus (even if belongs to a God).

Sunita talked about how Shiva’s linga fell on earth and how Parvati took the form of a Yoni to calm it down by embracing it in her Yoni. Although religion pundits believe the symbol of Shiva’s ling inside Parvati’s yoni is a symbol of creation, Sunita thought it was a vulgar image. Then Sunita talked about Unmatta Bhirav’ – the fully aroused god.

Sunita admitted that she doesn’t go to temples because there are dirt everywhere. She is not keen on walking bare feet inside the temple over the dirt. She talked about the sculptures on the temples showing gods in various sexual positions and questioned their relevance. She suspected they were a form of advertisement so that people frequent their visits to temples.

Discussion on Why we Worship Shiva Linga

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Priyanka Karki, Rekha Thapa, Deepa Shree etc. on Shiva Ratri and Ganja (Marijuana)

The festival of Shiva Ratri is synonyms with Bhang, dhaturo and Ganja (Marijuana or Cannabis). Although the use of ganja is prohibited in other times, it is usually free during the time of shiva ratri. In the festival, youths and older people go to Pashupati area to smoke ganja.

Shiva Ratri for different age group

  • Children and youths – they ask for alm on road by blocking the road and asking for money. The collected money is usually used to purchase wood for the fire used in the night.
  • Married women fast and worship lord Shiva for the longevity of their husbands.
  • Unmarried women also fast and worship Shiva and ask for the husband like him.
  • Older males – worship shiva and enjoy the festival by drinking juices and laddu containing bhang and smoking ganja.

Fasting for their husband and future husband is a tradition in declining trend. I believe, that is the remains of the male dominated society.  Continue reading

Shiva Linga – why worship the Shiva phallus?

It really has not been that long, when I came to know, we Hindu worship a Shiva’s Linga (Shiva Lingam); Lord Shiva in the form of a phallus (penis). But, this knowledge made my skin crawl shiver in sheer disgust.

One of my friends, who is devoted to Shiva, tried to make me understand her side of story, a good side to that story. But I was so disgusted; my mind refused to understand the good-good things she was telling me. My mind simply rejected to hear her version of the worship culture. I am a Hindu by birth but, I have lost the respect for the religion due to absurd things like worshiping the Shiva Linga. Going temple every morning to worship somebody’s phallus (who cares even if belongs to a god) is just too much in the name of Dharma. Give me a break. I am not that type.
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