The Shiva Linga

or Shiv ling or लिङ्गं, meaning "mark", "sign" is a representation of the Hindu deity Shiva used for worship in temples. Where ever there is a Shiv ling there is a bull as a gate keeper of Shiva and Parvati. Nandi ( नन्दी ) is the name for the bull which serves as the mount (Vahan) of the god Shiva. Temples venerating Shiva display stone images of a seated Nandi, generally facing the main shrine. There are also a number of temples dedicated solely to Nandi.