Bana Linga is a unique Shivling with a number of striations
formed by a natural process. Bana Lina are Swayambhu – appeared naturally.
The striations may be in sizes ranging from that made of a needle point to that
of a hand. Legend has it that Bana Linga appeared on earth when Shiva destroyed
the Tripuri palaces of demons. The stones from the Tripuri that fell on Narmada River
There are numerous other legends also associated with the
name Bana Linga – one is that Bana means an arrow, a reed-shaft, cow’s udder
and pike.
Bana Linga is named after Demon Banasura as he was an ardent
devotee of Shiva and Shiva blessed him with them. It is believed that Banasaura
how was doing austerities to please Shiva on the banks of Narmada
collected the Lingas. As the Lingas were in the possession of Banasura it got
the name Bana Linga.
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| Close up of Striations on a Bana Linga |
Another legend has it that Shiva appeared in the form of
Linga before Banasura on the Narmada River bank and the pieces from the linga
that flowed into the Narmada River are the Bana Lingas.
Another legend has it that Bana Lingas were worshipped by
Devas in Heaven.
Bana Linga come in the color of ripe jambu fruit, honey,
black beetle, blue, deep red, green and touch stone. The base of Bana Linga is
of the same color.
There are also Bana Lingas with specific images like that of
conch, lotus, mace, banner etc.
The shape of Bana Linga is like that of an egg or the teat
of a cow.
The popular place associated with Bana Linga is the Narmada River
Naturally occurring Bana Lingas are found at Amaresvara on
the Mahendra Mountain
in Nepal
Bana Lingas can be worshipped at home and it is believed
that it fulfills the desires of a devotee and blesses him with peace and
prosperity. It can also be carried along with a devotee.