This silver 'ayigalu' (lingam box) from South India, is part of a collection of three ayigalu in the museum. It is in a cylindrical amulet shape, decorated with the Islamic arabesque. Also prominent are two nandi bulls engraved near the hinge. The box will be attached to a chain and worn around the neck. It is interesting to note that lingam boxes such as this, are cult objects of the Lingayat community who are staunch Shiva worshippers of Karnataka. They are known as Lingi and the founder of this Vira Shaiva philosophy.
