Spatika Lingam
Spatika Lingam is type of Lingam made from Sphatikam.
Sphatikam (Quartz stone) also spelled as Sphadikam, pronounced/spelt as 'Spatika'/'Spatikam' in the South Indian/Dravidian languages, is the mineral in the Earth's continental crust, after feldspar. Sphatikam is made up of a continuous framework of SiO4silicon–oxygen tetrahedra, with each oxygen being shared between two tetrahedra, giving an overall formula SiO2. In short, it comprises one part silicon and two parts oxygen. Quartz belongs to the trigonal crystal system. The ideal crystal shape is a six-sided prism terminating with six-sided pyramids at each end.
Sphatikam is a semi-precious gemstone. There are many different varieties of sphatikam. High quality quartz crystals are single-crystal silica with optical or electronic properties that make them suitable for hardstone carvings. The Hindu temples in South India use this semi-precious mineral for making Shiva Lingams. Sphatikam beads are made from translucent rose quartz are cut and polished as beads. Each bead is about ten millimeters in diameter. It is good conductor of heat. Hence people wear sphatikam jewelry (mala) to keep their body cool. Some other people claim that these beads have healing properties.
In Hindu Shiva temples, Saiva Agamas allow to worship Lord Shiva in the form of Sphatika Lingam. Sphatika Lingam is representing the icon of Lord Nataraja. The Sphatika Lingams are protected in the sanctum sanctorum of Lord Shiva. Hindu priests offer Milk, Water, or Vhibuti consecrations to the Sphatika Lingam. They also chant 108 times Shiva Panchakshari Mantra. It is believed that Sphatika Lingam removes all curses and negative karma and will enhance ones confidence and power.
Thillai Natarajah Temple, Chidambaram (Chidambaram Thillai Natarajar-Koothan Kovil or Chidambaram temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva located in the town of Chidambaram (city), East-Central Tamil Nadu, South India. Chidambaram temple is considered as one of the most ancient and most celebrated of Shiva temples in India. Saivites attach great religious as well as historic and cultural significance with this temple. In this temple Lord Shiva is an embodiment of the infinite space. Chidambaram temple is associated with Lord Nataraja, or Shiva in his Ananda Tandava pose (the Cosmic Dance of bliss) in the cosmic golden hall (Ponnambalam) and the hall of consciousness (Chit Sabha). Lord Shiva is also worshipped in this temple as "formless form" and this fact is being understood as Chidambara Rahasyam. This temple is known for its Akasa Lingam, an embodiment of Shiva as the formless Space. The word "Koyil" or temple in the Tamil Saivite tradition refers to none other than the Chidambaram Nataraja temple.
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