Natural XXL Lingam. One of the 10 largest in Europe.

A lingam (Sanskrit: लिङ्गं) is in Hinduism a phallus-shaped, elongated object, usually a small pillar or column, that represents the creative power of the god Shiva. Lingams are almost always made of stone. During a ritual, milk or water is poured over the lingam. Then, flowers are placed on it. Many lingams have a yoni; this is a rim around the linga in which the offered liquids are collected. The yoni then represents the feminine, while the lingam represents the masculine. On some lingams, the face of Shiva is depicted. This is called an "ekamukha-lingam." A lingam with four faces is called a "chaturmukha-lingam." These four faces then symbolize the four aspects of Shiva. In India, there are several naturally formed lingams to be found. A well-known example is an icicle that grows every winter in the Amarnath Cave in Kashmir. Thousands of pilgrims visit the cave annually. It is possible that the lingam was already worshipped in India before Shaivism (the cult in which Shiva is seen as the main deity) emerged. Although lingams do not play a role in Buddhism, stupas built by Buddhists in caves have been left behind. After the Buddhists abandoned these caves, they were taken over by Shaivites for use as lingams. This is the case in several caves in the Indian state of Maharashtra. According to a legend, a sage named Bhrigu once had to wait too long for Shiva because he was making love to Parvati. After years of waiting, the sage is said to have eventually uttered a curse, causing Shiva to be worshipped as his own penis from then on.