Panchanana Shiva Five Faced Shivalinga

Panchanana Shiva is the five faced form of Lord Shivalinga worship. Mahadev is usually worshiped in Shiva Linga form. There are many temples where Shivalinga with five faces are enshrined. 

Panchanana Shiva - 5 Faced Shivalinga

Worshiping the five faced form of Shiva is believed to be very auspicious. The five faces of Panchanana Shiva are Sadyojat (Sadyojata), Vamdev, Aghora, Tatpurusha and Ishana. Each face of Shivalinga represents a specific aspect.

In Panchanana Shivaling, four faces are represented in the four directions. While the fifth face points skywards which represents the universal face symbolic of purity and spiritual progress.

Temples of Panchanana Shiva

Panchanana Shiva temples are mostly found in the eastern states of India. Among them the popular are the Akhandalamani Shiva Temple Orissa and Shiva Temple in Berhampur, West Bengal.