Welcome to a sanctuary where silence speaks and devotion takes form.

At the heart of the Shiva Temple in OM Ashram—the world’s largest building shaped like the sacred symbol OM—lies a sight of incredible beauty.

A wall of 1,008 consecrated white marble statues surrounds a central Dwadasha Jyotirlinga carved from striking black marble.

Each idol represents a specific form of Lord Shiva as pure consciousness, reflecting the infinite qualities of His cosmic power.

This spiritual masterpiece was born from the divine vision of our beloved Gurudev, His Holiness Vishwaguru Mahamandaleshwar Paramahansa Shree Swami Maheshwarananda Puri Ji Maharaj.

We invite you to discover the secrets of this breathtaking monument and the profound symbols of divinity it holds. Your journey into cosmic truth begins here.

1. From Name to Mantra: The Power of Sacred Sound

In the vision of our beloved Gurudev, these 1,008 Lord Shiva statues are more than just stone.

Each one represents a unique name of Lord Shiva. Each name reveals a different side of the ultimate truth.

These are not just words—they are mantras, or sacred sounds, that hold the wisdom of the ancient Vedas.

Every name follows a traditional pattern: it begins with OM (ॐ) and ends with Namah (नमः). This simple structure transforms a name into a powerful vessel of high spiritual vibration.

At the heart of it all is OM, the Pranava (the sound of creation). It is the original vibration of the whole universe (3). Because Lord Shiva is the source of this sacred syllable, it serves as the foundation for every prayer offered in His honor (1).

Among these, the most famous is the Panchakshara Mantra (five-syllable mantra): "OM Shivaya Namah." Known as the "king of all mantras," it is the seed from which all other prayers grow. (3)

Gurudev teaches us that reciting the 1,008 names of Lord Shiva brings the same immense blessings as this single, legendary mantra. (1)

When you pray before the wall of 1,008 Lord Shiva statues, the air fills with these holy names. This beautiful sound, or Nāda, does more than touch your ears—it vibrates through your entire body. It reaches every cell, transforming you from the inside out. In this way, the mantra becomes your spiritual breath, as essential to the soul as air is to the body. (2)

The ancient Shiva Puranas (3) tell us that reciting the Sahasranama (the thousand names) is a deeply blessed act. It brings both Bhoga (worldly fulfillment) and Moksha (spiritual liberation). This very practice is at the heart of a famous story about Lord Vishnu, who used the power of these names to seek the grace of Lord Shiva.

2. A Story of Devotion: Why Lord Vishnu Stands with Lord Shiva

A unique feature of the Shiva Temple at OM Ashram is the image of Lord Vishnu on the central altar. You might wonder why Lord Vishnu is honored so prominently in a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. A powerful ancient story from the Shiva Purana gives us the answer.

Long ago, the world was overwhelmed by demons. The gods were desperate and turned to Lord Brahma for help. He referred them to Lord Vishnu. (3)

Lord Vishnu knew he needed a weapon of immense power to restore balance. To find it, he decided to perform a great act of worship to Lord Shiva, (3)

He began chanting the Sahasranama (the 1,000 names of Lord Shiva). For each name he spoke, he offered a beautiful lotus flower to the Shiva Linga. (3)

However, to test his devotion, Lord Shiva magically hid the very last flower. The ritual was incomplete, and Lord Vishnu faced a difficult choice. Suddenly, he remembered that his own eyes were often compared to beautiful lotuses. In an unparalleled act of devotion, he plucked out one of his eyes and offered it to complete the worship. (3)

Deeply moved by this sacrifice, Lord Shiva appeared before him. He granted Lord Vishnu the mighty Sudarshana Chakra (a divine, auspicious disk). This was the weapon needed to defeat the demons and protect the world. (3)

This story is a beautiful lesson in unity. It shows that the different forms of the Absolute are deeply interconnected and honor each other. The altar at OM Ashram serves as a visual reminder that Lord Vishnu (as preserver) and Lord Shiva (as liberator) are two sides of the same absolute reality (1).

3. The Many Forms of One Reality

This powerful story shows that divine names are more than just words. They are vessels of immense spiritual energy. The 1,008 statues at OM Ashram stand as a living tribute to this ancient truth.

Lord Shiva is understood and worshipped in many different ways. One famous form is Nīlakantha (the Blue-Throated One), who drank poison after the churning of the ocean to save the world from destruction. Another is Pashupati (the Lord of all living beings). Each unique name reveals a different quality of the Divine. (1)

In Vedic tradition, Lord Shiva is a member of the Trinity, responsible for transformation and liberation. He is understood as both Nirguna (the formless, all-pervading consciousness) and Saguna (in a visible form we can worship). (1)

For many seekers, it is easier to direct love and devotion toward a Saguna form, such as a statue. By looking at a physical form, the mind finds peace and focus. The 1,008 Lord Shiva statues at OM Ashram provide a thousand pathways to help you connect with the one, formless Divine. (1)

4. Conclusion: The Greatest Gift, Nāma Dāna

This entire monument was born from the divine vision of our beloved Gurudev. He teaches us that out of all the forms of charity, the greatest is Nāma Dāna (the gift of God’s name). He says:

"If someone gives you the name of God, not even mountains of gold or mines of diamonds can compare to such a treasure." (1)

The Wall of 1,008 Lord Shivas is a magnificent act of Nāma Dāna. It stands as a powerful sign of deep devotion and kindness. To honor this, the names of donors are featured on many of the statues. This creates a permanent link between their personal devotion and this sacred space. (1)

By sponsoring a statue, you do more than just contribute to a building. You help gift the divine name to the world. In doing so, you share forever in the spiritual blessings of the temple.

Hari OM!

The following sources were cited in this article:
(1) Hidden Powers in Humans -Chakras and Kundalini (2024) authored by Paramhans Swāmī Maheshwarānanda
(2) Die Yogasutras des Patanjali (2020) translated and commented by Paramhans Swāmī Maheshwarānanda
(3) Shiva Purana (2016) editor by Dr. Mahendra Misal