Svayambhu Lingams

The Svayambhu Linga temples contain representations of Shiva that are believed to have risen up by themselves in the primordial past. In the commentary by Nigamajnanadeva on his Jirnoddharadasakam, sixty-eight Svayambhu Lingas are listed

Natural (Kailash, Amarnath, Mt. Shivling)

Swayambhu Linga. The history of the Valley, according to the legends, begins with Swayambhu, or the "the self-existent". In times uncharted by history, Bodhisattva Manjusri came across a beautiful lake during his travel. He saw a lotus that emitted brilliant light at the lake's center, so he cut a gorge in a southern hill and drained the waters to worship the lotus. Men settled on the bed of the lake and called it the Kathmandu Valley. From then on, the hilltop of the Self-existent Lord has been a holy place.

Swayambhu's light was covered in time because few could bear itsintensity. By the thirteenth century, after many layers were added to the original structure that enveloped the Lord's power, a dome-like shape had been acquired. The stupas central mast was damaged and replaced at that time. Peripheral sources of power were discovered on the hilltop as well and stupas, temples, and resthouses were built to honor them. Images of important deities, both Buddhist and Hindu, were also installed. Today, age-old statues and shrines dot the stupa complex. Behind the hilltop is a temple dedicated to Manjusri of Saraswati - the goddess of learning.

Swayambhu is, perhaps, the best place to observe the religious harmony in Nepal. The stupa is among the most ancient in this part of the world, and its worshippers are diverse from Newar nuns, Tibetan monks, and Brahmin priests to lay Buddhists and Hindus. The largest image of the Sakyamuni Buddha in Nepal is in a monastery next to the stupa. Other monasteries here have huge prayer wheels, fine Buddhist paintings, and special butter lamps which may be lit after presenting monetary offerings.

Swayambhu is a major landmark of the Valley and looks like a beacon below the Nagarjun hill. It provides an excellent view of the Kathmandu Valley. Devotees have climbed the steps on the eastern side for centuries. Statues of the Buddha, mini stupas, monasteries and monkeys make the climb to Swayambhu - which is fairly steep - worthwhile. But for someone who is physically disabled or is pressed for time, the western road allows you to get off your transport almostat the base of the stupa.

Ravana's swayambhu lingam@ Koneswarar Temple

The Swayambhu Linga has been described in the Kamillagama as one which rose up and came into existence by itself from time immemorial. This stone was among 69 others, most of which have been destroyed by idol breakers. It was originally found on a Tibetan mountain and later brought to Sri Lanka reportedly by King Ravana."

RAMALINGESWARA TEMPLE

A temple dedicated to lord Siva and His consorts Bhavani and Sivadurga at keesaragutta, about 33 km from the city of Hyderabad.

Legend has it that Sri Rama installed the Siva lingam here to atone for the sin of killing Ravana, a Brahman. He selected this beautiful, resplendent valley surrounded by hills and verdant greenery for the purpose and ordered Hanuman to bring a Sivlingam from Varanasi. Hanuman was late in arriving with the Siva lingam and as the auspicious hour was nearing, Lord Siva himself appeared before Sri Rama and presented a Sivilingam for installation. Hence the lingam in the temple is called Swayambhu Linga. It is also called Ramalingeswara as lord Sri Rama had installed the lingam.

Hanuman returned with 101 lingams for selection from Varanasi and felt aggrieved at not having his lingam installed. Hence he threw them all over the area. Even to this day several lingams are found scattered all over the place outside the temple.

To mollify Hanuman, Sri Rama ordained that precedence would be given to him for worship at the temple. He also said that the hillock where the lingam was installed would bear his name kesarigiri i.e, Hanuman, the son of Kesari. Over a period of time, it has become corrupted and is now known as Keessara and the hill as Keesaragutta. Ever since, the rituals follow the command of Sri Rama.

SRI RAJESWARA JYOTIRLINGA

It was believed that during the “Kali age” (Kalyug), the real and true form of God was Lord Siva. Though different incarnations of Siva were worshipped, however of all these forms, it was the JyotirLinga that was the actual spiritual representation of Lord Siva. Thus the Swayambhu JyotirLinga is considered as the ultimate form of worship. Sri Raj Rajeswara is believed to be an incarnation of Lord Siva. It is a belief that whosoever worships this holy Swayambhu Siva Linga with true faith is blessed by the grace of Lord Siva himself. 

Jadeshwar

Jadeshwar is a temple having a `Swayambhu linga' built by Vadodara's Vithoba Diwan at the beginning of  Nineteenth century AD. This temple runs anna - kshetra & dharmashala to stay over-night. One can enjoy breathtaking scenic beauty with serpentine curves & a lake on the way.

Kalahastiswara Temple

There is an important Siva temple located at this site. It is on the right bank of the Suvarnamukhi River, 27km northeast of Tirupati, between the two hills, Sripuram and Mummudicholapuram, which form part of the Sesha Sailam Hills.
This important temple, dedicated to Lord Siva, has one of the elemental lingas, the Vayu (air) Linga. There is a lamp inside the inner sanctum that is constantly flickering, despite the lack of air movement inside. The air-linga can be observed to move even when the pujaris close off the entrance to the main deity room, which has no windows. You can see the flames on several ghee lamps flicker as if blown by moving air. The linga is white and is considered Swayambhu, or self-manifested.

The main linga is in the shape of an elephant trunk, with tusks on each side and a figure of a spider at the bottom. If you look at the linga from the top, it resembles a snake with five hoods. The spider is call “Sri,” the snake “Kala,” and the elephant “Hasti.” The three names combine together to form the name “Srikalahasti.”

It is said that the spider wove a web above the linga to protect it from the sun and rain. The elephant would get water with its trunk and bath the linga (perform abhishek) and the snake would also worship the Lord. The snake was not aware that the elephant and spider were also worshiping the Lord. One day the snake found bilva leaves and water near the Lord. He thought that someone was trying to harm the Lord, so he surrounded the Lord to protect him. When the elephant came the next day to worship the Lord, the snake thought he was trying to harm the Lord, so he entered his trunk. Unable to handle the pain, the elephant dashed his trunk against the linga, killing both the snake and the spider. Then the elephant himself died. Lord Siva was satisfied with the devotion of all three and offered them all liberation..

Shankar Mandir, Mahabaleshwar

Shri Shankar Mandir: The Mahalinga of the lord Shiva is of Rudraksha shape & believed to be 'self-bodied' (swayambhoo) It is called Trigunatmaka meaning Brahma-Vishnu-Mahesh are on it for ever. On the head of the mahalinga you see the marks of the five holy rivers (Panchaganga)  & their waters never loose their level. Mother Jeejabai was weighed by gold by Raje Shivaji in this temple & then the gold was distributed in charity. This Mahalinga is considered to be superior to the twelve jyotirlingas