Shiva occupies an exalted status among contemporary Hindu gods. To non-Hindus, the image of Shiva is one of the easily recognizable artifacts of Hinduism. The story of Shiva’s evolution is interesting. Shiva goes from representing the fearful and unpredictable aspects of nature to a transcendental and immanent deity.
Puranas
Puranas
Puranas (Purana in Sanskrit means old) are any number of texts thought to have been written between the 3rd century and 15th century CE. They are found in both Hinduism and Jainism. They run a whole gamut of topics – myths, legends, cosmology, cosmogony, astronomy, grammar, genealogies of gods, customs, festivals, constructions of temples, places of pilgrimage etc.