Best Shivling Size for Home & Where to Place It
Updated
Written by the SHIVYA artisan family in Bakawan, on the banks of the Narmada
Quick answer
For most home mandirs, a 2 to 4 inch Narmadeshwar Shivling is best. 1 to 2 inches suits a car, desk or travel altar; 6 inches or more is for puja rooms; 12 inches and above is for temples. Place it on a jalhari in the north-east of the home.
- Home mandir: 2 to 4 inch
- Car, desk or travel: 1 to 2 inch
- Puja room: 6 to 8 inch
- Temple or ashram: 12 inch and above
- Keep one Shivling in the home mandir
The right size of Shivling depends on where you will keep it and how you will worship. Here is a practical guide to choosing a size for your space, and placing it well.
Size guide at a glance
- 1 to 2 inch: car dashboards, office desks, travel and very small altars. A good first Shivling or gift.
- 2 to 4 inch: the most popular choice for home mandirs. Fits a standard jalhari and is easy to bathe daily.
- 6 to 8 inch: dedicated puja rooms and larger home temples.
- 12 inch and above: community temples, ashrams and large puja halls.
Measure your mandir shelf first. Allow space around the jalhari for the spout, a kalash and a diya.
Does size matter spiritually?
Many traditions hold that a Shivling kept at home should be modest in size, usually no taller than a thumb's length to a few inches, with larger Shivlings reserved for temples where elaborate daily worship is performed. Choose a size you can care for regularly and with attention.
Where to place a Shivling at home
- The north-east corner (Ishaan kon) of the home or puja room is traditionally preferred.
- Place it on a jalhari, never directly on the floor, with the spout pointing north.
- Keep the area clean and avoid placing it in a bedroom where possible.
- Keep just one Shivling in the home mandir, as is traditional.
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