The Picture Show - Ishta Linga Puja

[Guest guest]

Today's photo on the group is from Vasantha of Queens, New York.

Notice the beautiful photos of Chandi and Maa, murtis of Saraswati

(Shree Maa's gift and blessing ) , Durga and Lakshmi, along with

pictures Ramakrishna, Sarada, Basava and other gurus.

What is really special about the altar is the center piece of 4

lingas, called ishta lingas in Vasantha's tradition, where each

person is given a tiny linga at a certain age. This linga is usually

kept in a small container and worn about a chain on the neck. It is

taken out for puja and given the daily offerings of milk and water at

a minimum. Vasantha says that the big function is Shivaratri, where

everyone in the community sits around a huge pot and offer the

abishek (items for bathing the lingam) for each of the lingams into

the communal pot.

While she grew up with this tradition, Vasantha says that she has

benefitted enormously by Swamiji's Beginner Shiva Puja book , as it

has helped her understand the puja all the more and appreciate each

and every step in the process.

The altar features four Ishta lingas for each of the four members of

her family , including the smallest one for her 10 year old grand

daughter. The altar can be viewed at

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JAI MAA

Nanda

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