Shiva, the most widely worshipped and edified male deity in the Hindu pantheon, is worshipped much more commonly in the form of the lingam. Evidence of the lingam in India dates back to prehistoric times. Stone Lingams with several varieties are found to this date in many of the old temples, and in museums in India and abroad. The famous "man-size" lingam in the Parashurameshwar Temple in Gudimallam, Chitoor District of Andhra Pradesh known as the Gudimallam Lingam, is about in height, carved in polished black granite. It is one of the existing lingams from the pre-Buddhist period. The almost naturalistic giant lingam is distinguished by an anthropomorphic form of Parashurama carved in high relief.Rao, T. A. Gopinatha, Elements Of Hindu Iconography, Vol II Part 1, 1916, Law Printing House, Madras (Chennai), Internet Archive (fully online), p. 65 on; thenewsminute.com Shiva Lingams in India have tended to become more and more stylized over the centuries.
 The famous "man-size" lingam in the Parashurameshwar Temple in Gudimallam, Chitoor District of Andhra Pradesh known as the Gudimallam Lingam, is about in height, carved in polished black granite. It is one of the existing lingams from the pre-Buddhist period. The almost naturalistic giant lingam is distinguished by an anthropomorphic form of Parashurama carved in high relief.Rao, T. A. Gopinatha, Elements Of Hindu Iconography, Vol II Part 1, 1916, Law Printing House, Madras (Chennai), Internet Archive (fully online), p. 65 on; thenewsminute.com 
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Shiva, the most widely worshipped and edified male deity in the Hindu pantheon, is worshipped much more commonly in the form of the lingam. Evidence of the lingam in India dates back to prehistoric times. Stone Lingams with several varieties are found to this date in many of the old temples, and in museums in India and abroad.
D
Shiva Lingams in India have tended to become more and more stylized over the centuries.