The holy scriptures refer to Sivalinga worship.

Yajur Anu 16 pays homage to " Go

ldlingam ", "Godlingam " and " Bava lingam." The references are very pointed.
" Hiranylingaya namah! Thivyalingaya namah! Bhavalingaya namah! " Kamika Agama,
Suprabhadagama, Mahutamaga, Karanagama have abundant references to Sivalinga. Dr
. R. G. Bandarkar is inclined to think that linga worship dates to stone age. So
me are of the view that " Kandali " mentioned in Tholkappiam refers to Sivalinga
.
Hodder M Westrop has collected information about the phallic worship in several
countries such as Greece, Egypt, Rome, Assyria, Ancient America etc. Linga worsh
ip or worship of Peripus or fascinum or pripe gala continued to exist according
to Bondin till 12th century A D. in Germany Slavonia and France.
vi. Famous Sivalingas
The following twelve Sivalingas have got an ancient origin :
1. Somanath linga installed underneath the earth near Somanath temple of histori
cal fame.
2. Sri Saila linga in Kurnool area.
3. Ujjain Maha linga.
4. Onkara linga on the bank of river Narmada.
5. Ujjain Amareswara linga.
6. Vaidyanatha linga in Patna area.
7. Rameswara linga.
8. Bhimasankara linga.
9. Thriambasewarar linga in Nasick area situated.
10. Gowdameswara linga.
11. Viswanatheswara linga.
12. Kedara linga.
In the far South there are Sivalingas of ancient type in places like Kudimallan
and kudimianmalai. Scholars ascribe these lingas to second century A D. Mahendra
Varma I of Pallava dynasty who ruled over Kanchipuram from 600 to 630 A.D. has
stated in his Sanskrit inscription on the Tiruchirapalli rocks that he took to S
ivalinga worship. Sembian Devi, wife of Kandarathithar of Chola dynasty ( 949 957 A.D.) had a temple built in a village which stands in her name even now and
worshipped her husband in the form of Sivalinga. These images and structures can
be seen even today.
vii. Effects of Sivalinga worship
The effects of worshipping various kinds of Sivalingas are marvelous. Worship of
Sivalinga made of gold grants all wealth ; Sivalinga made of cooked rice ensure
s plenty of food for the worshipper ; Sivalinga made out of clay collected from
river banks blesses the worshipper with landed property ; the worship of Sivalin
ga made of butter ensures a jovial temper ; Sivalinga made of Rudraksha seeds gr
ants knowledge and one made of jaggery ensures fulfillment of all the aims.
Again Sivalinga worship does not stop with the fulfillment of worldly ambitions.
The symbolism of Sivalinga is the personification of Siva's gracious will to as
sure the humanity at large the salvation which should be the ultimate aim of one
and all.