This silver 'ayigalu' (lingam box) is part of a collection of three ayigalu in the museum. It is in the form of a chauka or square shape with an abstracted bull's horn shaped cover which opens in the middle. The surface of the box is otherwise smooth save for a repoussé floral pattern on the underside. It is interesting to note that lingam boxes such as this are cult objects of Vira Shaivism. The followers of this sect, known as Lingayats, or Lingi, are a community of staunch Shiva worshippers of Karnataka. Basavanna, the founder of this sect, popularised it during the 12th century. Today there are Vira Shaivas in Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.
