It is believed that Shiva has manifested himself on earth twelve times as a shattering sheath of light. These jyotirlingas, sacred crossing places of the god, have become the preeminent destinations for countless Hindu pilgrims. From the Temple of Kedarnath, set in Shiva's homeland, high in the snow-clad Himalayas, to Banaras, the City of Light, on the banks of the River Ganges, Professor Eck traces the manifestations of Shiva.