There are many reasons behind why are water drops made to drip on a Shiva Linga, and why do we pour water on it.
Hindus worship Lord Shiva in the form of a linga mainly. In almost all of the temples where a Shiva Linga is installed, there is mainly a copper vessel hanging over the linga, and water/milk drips over it at a regular interval. Also, devotees pour water and milk on it. Many people wonder why are water drops made to drip on a Shiva Linga only and not on other idols of Hindu gods.
Scriptural or religious reasons:
1. The answer to this question lies in the story of Samudra Manthana (the churning of the Ocean of Milk). When gods and demons started churning the Ocean of Milk to obtain the elixir of life (Amrita), the first thing that came out of it was Halahala or Kalakuta. It is a very lethal poison. This poison is so dangerous that it could annihilate all the creation. Therefore, gods and demons requested Lord Shiva to drink it, as he was the only one who could do it.
Lord Shiva granted their request and drank the poison, but if the poison had spread in his body, it would have been very painful for him. Therefore, Goddess Parvati stopped the poison at his throat before it entered his body by placing her hands over.
Even though the Halahala is in the throat of Lord Shiva, it produces a lot of heat in his body. Therefore, Lord Vishnu ordered gods to pour water on Lord Shiva to reduce the heat in his body.
Therefore, to reduce heat in his body and soothe his pain, a vessel full of water is always hung over a Shiva Linga, and water drops 24×7 on it.
For the same reason, devotees pour water, milk, honey, ghee, curd, and other things on the Shiva Lingam. When devotees do so, this reduces the heat and pain in His body, and he gets pleased, and in return, blesses them.
2. Lord Shiva is Abhisheka Priya. Abhisheka means “bathing of the divinity to whom the worship is offered.” He likes his devotees pouring water/milk over him. The reason behind his being Abhisheka Priya could be the same as mentioned above.
Symbolical reason behind why water drops on a Shiva Linga:
A Shiva Linga is a symbol of Lord Shiva. Actually, it is Lord Shiva Himself. The continuous dripping of water symbolizes the river Ganges flowing out of his hair.
Scientific reasons:
1. Some Hindus believe that a Shiva Linga is nothing but a containment building of a nuclear reactor. As we splash water over the structure to cool off a nuclear reactor, people pour water over Lord Shiva to cool it off, and also, the water is continuously dripping on it.
2. A Shiva Linga symbolizes a black hole. The water/milk dripping on it does symbolize the consumption of energy by it.
Spiritual reason:
Lord Shiva is an ascetic god. He spends most of his time meditating. He does not want to involve in worldly matters, but his attention is necessary for the proper functioning of the world. Therefore, continuously dripping water keeps him awake and engaged with worldly matters.
If you know any other reason behind “Why are water drops made to drip on a Shiva Linga?” please feel free to use the comment section.