In fact, no one knows when the worship began. Temples were built over them much later.

Illustration/Devdutt Pattanaik

In the month of Shravan, many people visit Shiva temples, especially on Mondays. Pouring water on the Shiva-linga is seen as an act of piety. Water is carried from rivers. The pot with the water is never placed on the ground until water has been poured on the linga. This practice is common in Gangetic plains.

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One of the things you notice in a very traditional Shiva temple is that it is typically located in a cave-like structure. The Shiva linga is in the main sanctum sanctorum at a lower level. To see it clearly, there are mirrors kept above. These are the traditional Swayambhu (self-created) aniconic stones, which have been worshipped in India for centuries. In fact, no one........

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