 It is said that gives salvation, the gives [worldly] happiness, and gives both happiness and salvation.People belonging to various Hindu sects such as Shaiva, Kapalik, Gosavi, Virashaiva, etc., use various lingas – earthen (parthivlinga), lingas in a silver box donned around the neck (kanthasthalinga), lingas of crystal glass (sphatiklinga), banalingas, a five stringed linga (panchasutri), stone lingas (pashanlinga), etc.Banalinga is a part of the fivefold family of deities (Panchayatana).