In Shiva temples, Nandi – the bull – always faces the Shivling in the Sanctum Sanctorum. In most temples, between the Shivling and Nandi a sculpture of Turtle is also found. Some scholars are of the view that this turtle is Akupara – as per Hindu tradition the universe rests on the back of Akupara, the turtle.
Symbolically, the turtle reminds us for the need to withdraw the senses from the materialistic world to realize the Supreme Truth – the Brahman in the form of Shivling.
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Popular Hindu Symbols
Related
Popular Hindu Symbols