The Indian state of Tamil Nadu is located in the very south of the country and, due to its geographical location, was mostly spared from the Muslim conquests by the Mughal sovereigns and also from the associated forced conversion to Islam and the systematic destruction of Hindu temples.

In Tamil Nadu the Hindus could practice their religion without interruption and because Hinduism is not strictly bound to dogmas, such as those of the monotheistic religions which demand a strict submission to an almighty God, who, as is written in the Bible, the Torah and in the Koran, prescribes very precise rules for the conduct of believers, with Hell as a threat. Hinduism is rather a lifestyle and does not contain any clerical hierarchies that instruct what to believe and what not to believe.

Tanjavure is the only temple in Tamil Nadu that has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. It is the impressive temple of Brihadishwara and a classic example of the architecture of the Chola Dynasty. King Raja Raja started building the temple in 1010 A.D. In front of the main entrance there is a statue of Nandi, a bull used as a mount by the god, Shiva. It was carved from a single stone and weighs twenty five tons.

In front of a statue of Nandi are rows of Lingams, the penis of the god Shiva - a total of two hundred and fifty - mostly positioned in the middle of a "yoni", the female genitals. Here the symbolism of the iconography of Hinduism leaves no doubt about the meaning, it is a fertility symbol, and couldn't be more obvious. Shiva is not only the god of destruction, but also the creator of life and is therefore especially worshipped by women who have a desire to have children and - as thanks in advance - offer him flowers on his lingam!