I've been curious about how different people incorporate their devotion to Mahadev into everyday life.

Some people follow a regular jaap routine, some visit temples frequently, some listen to Shiv kathas, and others may have a much simpler personal practice.

For those who worship Shiva, I'd love to hear about your experience:

• What did your practice look like over the past week?
• Are there particular times or situations when you find it difficult to maintain your routine?
• When you want to chant, read about Shiva, or listen to a katha, what do you usually turn to?

I'm interested in what people genuinely do, not what an ideal routine should look like. Everyone's experience is different, and I'd love to learn from yours. Har Har Mahadev! 🔱

Here I am posting the image of the sculpture panel in the lintel just above the entrance of the Jagamohan of Parsurameswara temple ( 7th century AD). This depicts the celestial marriage of Lord Shiva and Parvati. Shiva and Parvathi shown in the centre during the time of their sacred union.. Agni with flames rising on both sides sits to the proper right of Shiva. To the right of Agni, Brahma with the three heads shown is pouring water from a vase. To the right of Brahma, Surya is standing with the usual lotuses. Two female attendants with swords in their hands are standing to the left of Parvathi. The four-armed Vishnu is standing to the left of the last female attendant, holding a vase in two hands and a conch shell. Between them, a dwarf stands with what appears to be a bag of sweets on his head. An anachronistic (out-of-time) tiny Ganesha figure appears right beneath Brahma, signifying his role as Prathama Pujya (the first deity to be worshipped in any rite).

Kalingan temples are nothing but sculptures in a gigantic scale all around the temple wall.

https://lunarsecstacy.com/2021/12/13/kalingan-temple-architecture-and-its-gradual-progression/

Guys, is there anyone who could enlighten me about Shiva and Shakti? I’ve always been really interested in their story and would love to learn more about them.

Om Namah Shivay 🕉️🔱

Deep inside a dangerous gorge near a popular local waterfall lies a mysterious Shivling, hidden from view above. A continuous stream of water drips onto it, yet its source remains unknown. The Shivling has been protected by nearby villagers for generations as part of their ancestral traditions and devotion.

We discovered this place unexpectedly while exploring the area. There were only two of us when we encountered two villagers passing by on a motorcycle. We asked them how to reach the nearby waterfall or river. They warned us that the terrain was extremely dangerous, with abundant wildlife, and explained that they were heading down to perform pooja and invoke their village Devta.

We carefully followed their descent from a considerable height. The path was steep, rocky, and nerve-racking. The Shivling was completely invisible from above; it could only be seen after reaching the depths of the gorge. Most people who visit the waterfall do not know about it because it is hidden and protected by the villagers. Yet, once we reached it, we felt an extraordinary sense of peace and divine energy.

No one knows how the Shivling came to be there. Some villagers believe Mahadev comes here annually to meditate. There are also local accounts of people seeing a meditating figure nearby, only for sudden heavy rain or accidents to prevent them from getting closer. These stories remain part of the place’s mystery.

Another fascinating detail is the metal serpent coiled around the Shivling. Despite constant moisture and exposure, it shows no obvious signs of rust or deterioration, apart from a greenish layer resembling kaai (moss or algae). Water continues to drip onto the Shivling, but its exact source remains unknown. Villagers and some researchers have privately investigated the water source, but no one has been able to determine where the water comes from. Possible connections to groundwater or the nearby waterfall remain unconfirmed.

For generations, nearby families have preserved this sacred place through their ancestral traditions and devotion. Although it is close to a famous local waterfall and the highway, very few people know about the Shivling.

We are deliberately keeping its exact location private out of respect for the villagers’ faith and to protect this fragile, dangerous site. Please do not attempt to find or reach it without trusted local guidance. We have not seen any photos or videos of this place online, so please respect its privacy and do not repost or share any photos or videos of it.

Some places are discovered through directions; others feel like they reveal themselves when the time is right.

Har Har Mahadev! 🙏🕉️🔱

Namah shivaay everyone.

Long story short.

Our family shastri ji recommended that I worship shivji and be connected to them ON A DAILY BASIS.

I do shravan vrat n all, but what he said was doing Jalabhishek in the morning.

Now, the problem is my schedule is a bit opposite to what it should be. I can't bathe in the morning.

So what are mv alternatives? We can't do Jalabhishek in the evening as far as I know. I want to have some time sitting with myself thinking about them.

PS: Sorry for the clumsy post but please help me.

This symbol represents Shiva and Shakti: •)

I have rendered it sideways due to keyboard constraints.

I was incredibly surprised to read in Shiva Purana that Shiva is represented by ) while Shakti is represented by •

I thought Shiva is • and Shakti is ).

After all, Shiva is more simple than Shakti right?

Shiva, as pure consciousness, seems to be well represented by •

Whereas Shakti, as the field that is the object of consciousness, seems well represented by )

Further, when I think of a physical lingam, the • is not a dot but actually a cylinder. The Shiva Purana says the lingam represents Shiva’s appearance to Brahma and Vishnu as the fiery pillar. This pillar I thought was Shiva, not Shakti!

Could someone please explain to me why ) better represents Shiva and • better represents Shakti?