Near the main entrance of the temple are situated the Dvajasthamba, sacrificial altar called pali peedam and vehicle called vahanam facing the main deity. Pali Peedam or altar is for offering - Shiva temples being vegetarian, the offering is usually flowers and cooked rice. Most Shiva temples in South India have one in each direction and some have as many as 8 for the 8 directions. The usual shape of the altar is a stone of masanory on a platform topped by lotifarm altar, called the lotus altar. The lotifarm altar has a base, a cup shaped upside down over it and lotus like petals from the frills that widen towards the base. The lotifram shape is considered a symbole of prosperity and hence this is considered bhadra linga or the prosperour lingam.