ज्योतिर्लिंग

A Shaiva legend from the Shiva Purana tells of an disagreement between Brahma (the god of creation) and Vishnu (the god of preservation). To settle their dispute, Shiva created a colossal infinite pillar of light known as Jyotirlinga that pierced through all three worlds. Brahma and Vishnu chose to go up and down the pillar of light, respectively looking for its end. Some versions indicate that Vishnu assumed his Varaha avatar while Brahma rode a swan in order to achieve this mission. Contrary to what he claimed after his journey, Brahma had not discovered the edge of the beam; however, regardless of this falsehood he presented a ketakī flower as evidence. In contrast, Vishnu owned up to his inability in finding any boundary. The dishonesty of Brahma angered Shiva, causing him to curse the creator deity that he would not be worshipped; He also declared that Vishnu would be eternally worshipped for his honesty. The jyotirlinga shrines are regarded to be the temples where Shiva appeared as a fiery column of light. It is believed that there were a total of 64 jyotirlings, with twelve being most sacred and holy called Maha Jyotirlingam. Each of the twelve jyotirlinga sites take the name of the presiding deity, each considered a different manifestation of Shiva. At all these sites, the primary image is lingam, representing the beginningless and endless stambha pillar, symbolising the infinite nature of Shiva.