Ekamukhalinga - Musee Guimet, Paris, France

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Ekamukhalinga from Bihar, Gaya. 7th century CE. Musee Guimet, Paris, France Siva has many manifestations, but is worshipped principally, and primarily, in his linga or phallus form symbolising his primordial power of creation. From the earliest period of the appearance of Siva in the linga form, around the 1st century BCE at Aghapur and Gudimallam, the linga shaft addorsed with Siva in anthropomorphic form was established as the dominant linga-type of the early period. In this representation the head of Siva, with the third eye clearly visible, emerges from the shaft of the linga. Siva is moustached, and wears a rudraksa mala necklace, made from the stones of the fruit of a tree holy to Siva. He wears his uncut hair piled high (jatamakuta) in the style of a yogic ascetic; further locks of hair cascade down behind his ears.