Dinesh Wagle on Nepali Society

The book says: You can touch and feel the Lingam. Though broken, how bright and smooth it is. This fluted Shiva Lingam made of granite is known as Dhara Lingam. One can see the Somaskanda sculpture behind the Shiva Lingam and also on either side on the walls of the porch.

Stone images were not kept in the caves or temples in the earlier times. The object of worship kept in the sanctum then, was made of perishable material like wood or it was a painting. Only from the 8th century, a stone Lingam or an image was introduced.