- Title: Hindu monastery in Indian temple town houses million miniature ‘Shivlings’
- Date: 24th August 2021
- Summary: VARANASI, UTTAR PRADESH, INDIA (AUGUST 24, 2021) (ANI - NO USE INDIA) EXTERIOR OF "JANGAMWADI MATH" HINDU MONASTERY ELEPHANT-SHAPED STATUETTE AT GATE OF MONASTERY CORRIDOR OF MONASTERY/MINIATURE SHIVLINGS (SYMBOL OF HINDU LORD SHIVA), DONATED BY DEVOTEES KEPT ON SHELF SHIVLING NAMES OF PEOPLE WHO DONATED SHIVLINGS READING IN HINDI SHIVLINGS OF DIFFERENT SIZES KEPT IN ROOM STATUE OF NANDI COW (GATE-GUARDIAN DEITY OF KAILASA, THE ABODE OF SHIVA) VARIOUS OF SHIVLINGS KEPT IN A ROOM (SOUNDBITE) (Hindi) VARANASI RESIDENT, ANOOP YADAV, SAYING: "The name of this monastery comes from Jangam (holy men) who lived here for 350 years. It is believed that their souls left their bodies of their own will. Members of the 'Lingayat' community donate a Shivling (symbol of Hindu Lord Shiva) here as part of a ritual held to pay respect to their ancestors. This has been going on for so long that the number of Shivlings is now close to a million." VARIOUS OF SHIVLINGS IN A ROOM (SOUNDBITE) (Hindi) PRIEST, SAYING: "The Shivlings have been kept in Jangamwadi Math. They have been decked up and some people even come to just see them." PRAYER CEREMONY UNDERWAY AT MONASTERY MEN CHANTING HYMNS HEAD PRIEST SHOWERING FLOWER PETALS ON IDOL OF HINDU LORD SHIVA IDOL OF LORD SHIVA COVERED IN FLOWER PETALS MEN BLOWING CONCH SHELLS
- Embargoed: 7th September 2021 12:45
- Keywords: Hindu India Lord Shiva Shivlings Varanasi followers religion
- Location: VARANASI, UTTAR PRADESH, INDIA
- City: VARANASI, UTTAR PRADESH, INDIA
- Country: India
- Topics: Asia / Pacific,Religion/Belief,Society/Social Issues
- Reuters ID: LVA001ERN2C0F
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: An ancient Hindu monastery in India's holy town of Varanasi has about a million miniature 'Shivling'-a phallus representation of the Hindu God of destruction, Shiva.
The 'Jangamwadi Math' (monastery) is believed to be one of the oldest monasteries in the temple town has 'Shivlings' donated by the people of the 'Lingayat' community which worships no god but Shiva in his phallus form.
As per the beliefs and rituals of this community, the family donates a 'Shivling' at the monastery as a tribute to their ancestors.
"This has been going on for so long that the number of Shivlings is now close to a million," said a Varanasi resident.
Varanasi, a town sacred to Hindus, is home to several ancient monasteries dating more than 300 years back. - Copyright Holder: ANI (India)
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