Shiva Lingam (Sanskrit for “sign of Shiva”) — is a symbol of Shiva. In the Linga Purana and the Shiva Purana lingam is denoted as a material image of Shiva, while Shiva himself is beyond time, space, qualities and shape. In Shivaistic temples the statue of lingam is always placed at the most honorable places. Because of its shape – short cylindrical column with a rounded top – lingam is often referred to an image of a phallus. However the discussions do not cease to the present day (Swami Shivananda, W. Doniger, H. Brunner, etc.).