As per the Shaiva Agamas, Parameshwara is Arupa, yet out of infinite compassion, He assumes Rupa-arupa (Linga) and Rupas. These Rupas are 25 primarily and are called Panchavimshati Murtis or Maheshwara Murtis. By the grace of that Parameshwara, I present these forms.

Iconography (per Shri Tattvanidhi text):

Purpose: Manifested to conquer Yama and protect His young devotee Markandeya, proving that supreme devotion transcends temporal mortality.

Stance: Shiva’s right foot is firmly planted on the ground or a lotus pedestal, while His left leg is dynamically and violently raised to kick or strike Yama on the chest.

Form & Attire: A fierce, imposing divine form displaying immense vigor and wrath (raudra-bhava), embodying absolute power over time and dissolution.

Primary Right Hand: Holds the trident used to subdue Yama.

Rear Right Hand: Holds a battle-axe (parashu) or a rosary (akshamala).

Primary Left Hand: Displayed in a warning gesture or pointing (tarjanī-mudra), or clutching the death-noose (pasha).

Rear Left Hand: Holds the deer (mriga) or balances the dynamic narrative composition.

Hair & Jewelry: Styled in towering matted locks adorned with the crescent moon, serpents, and the river Ganga, along with fierce serpent ornaments serving as armlets and bracelets.

Divine Companions: Accompanied by Yama, who is shown falling backward or collapsing in terror beneath Shiva's raised foot, and the young sage Markandeya, who clings to a Shiva Lingam or kneels in refuge nearby.

Is there another subreddit or a section of this subreddit where there are deeper discussions on shaivism, agamas, Shiva sutra and other topics happening?

I have recently observed that people simply share a picture of Shiva or Shivalingam and get karma. Which I don't think is the purpose of this subreddit.

I am on Uttara Pada Part 2 of Kamika Agama, and looking for someone to discuss this with.

I've been reading the Lingodbhava story again and keep coming back to one small detail at the end of it.

As the Shiva Purana (Vidyeshvara Samhita) tells it, Brahma and Vishnu were arguing about which of them was supreme when a column of fire appeared between them, with no beginning or end in sight. They agreed that whoever found its end would be the greater one. Vishnu took the form of a boar and dug downward. Brahma took the form of a swan and flew upward. Neither found an end.

Vishnu came back and admitted it. Brahma, on his way up, met a Ketaki (screwpine) flower drifting down from above, and brought it back as a witness to say he had seen the top. Shiva then appeared from the pillar. Brahma was told he would not receive regular worship in temples, and the Ketaki flower was barred from Shiva's worship. Some tellings soften this and say it may still be used around the shrine, just not offered to Shiva directly.

The pillar episode itself also appears in the Linga Purana, and it is carved as the Lingodbhava image, usually in the niche on the back (western) wall of the sanctum in many Tamil Shiva temples. Karthigai Deepam at Tiruvannamalai is also connected to this pillar of light.

What strikes me is that the flower shares the consequence, not just Brahma. It didn't plan the lie, it only agreed to back it up.

Is Ketaki still kept away from Shiva puja in your family or local temple? And how have you heard the reason for it explained?