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SHIVA LINGAM SHIVLING The Shiva Linga or Lingam is a symbol that represents Lord Shiva in Hinduism. As the most powerful of deities, temples are built in his honour that includes a Shiva Linga, representing all the energies of the world and beyond. In Sanskrit, Linga means a ‘mark’ or a symbol, which points to an inference. Thus the Shiva Linga is a symbol of Lord Shiva: a mark that reminds of the Omnipotent Lord, which is formless. The ancient Hindu scripture ‘Linga Purana’ says that the foremost Linga is devoid of smell, colour, taste, etc. and is spoken of as Prakriti, or Nature itself. In the post-Vedic period, the Linga became symbolic of the generative power of Lord Shiva. The Linga is like an egg and represents the Brahmanda (the cosmic egg). Linga signifies that the creation is affected by the union of Prakriti and Purusha, the male and the female powers of Nature. It also signifies Satya, Jnana, and Ananta - Truth, Knowledge, and Infinity. A Shiva Linga

GARUDA Garuda is a bird creature from Hindu mythology that has a mix of eagle and human features. He is the vehicle (vahana) of Vishnu and appears on the god's banner. Garuda represents birth and heaven, and is the enemy of all snakes. In Indian art, Garuda gradually acquired more human form over the centuries and so maintained only his wings. In Cambodia, however, he retains even today the great talons and vicious-looking beak of a bird of prey. Garuda is a national symbol of India, Indonesia and Thailand. Garuda can also be shown as a big bird with semi-opened wings. He is associated with a nature spirit of Jain Tirthankara Shantinatha and an Astasena and dharma-protector in Buddhism. He protects you from the serpent, which is a symbol of the underworld and death. Garuda was born of Kasyapa and Vinata. Vinata had a fight with her co-wife Kadru who was the queen of serpents. That is why Garuda does not like serpents. Garuda is married to Unnati and has a son n

CHATURBHUJI TILAK Chaturbhuji or four-armed is one of the many sects of Vaishnavism. Chaturbhuji is an epithet of Vishnu. The founder of this sect was taking part in a feast when his loin cloth came undone behind and the others said to him that as this had happened, he had become impure at the feast. He replied, "Let him to whom the ‘dhoti’ belongs tie it up" and immediately four arms sprang from his body, while two continued to take food, the other two tied up his loin cloth behind. Thus, it was recognised that the Chaturbhuji Vishnu had appeared in him and he was venerated. Chaturbhujis wear an all-white tilak in the form of fork with the bottom of the fork is extended to the bottom of the forehead.

RAMANANDI TILAK   Ramanandi, also called Ramavat, in Hinduism, a Vaishnavite (devotee of the God Vishnu) follower of Ramananda, a religious and social reformer of the 15th century. Ramanandis worship Vishnu’s avatar (incarnation) in Rama as the one true god. Although Ramananda had no particular wish to found a sect, he continues to inspire a great number of sectarian adherents, including ascetics ho have numerous North Indian monasteries. The Ramanandi movement owes its popularity to the saint Ramananda who lived in Varanasi in the 14th century and influenced such popular Indian saints like Tulsidas and Kabir among others. Ramanandis wear ‘tilak’ as a two-pronged white fork with a red upward tapering stroke in the middle.