 Lingothbhava or emergence of "linga", found in various "puranas" as a symbol of Shiva, augments the synthesis of the old cults of pillar and phallic worship.The idea emerged from deity residing in a pillar and later visualised as Shiva emerging from the "lingam" The "lingothbhavar" image can be found in the first precinct around the sanctum in the wall exactly behind the image of Shiva.Appar, one of the early "Saivite" saint of the 7th century, gives evidence of this knowledge of "puranic" episodes relating to "Lingothbhavar" form of Shiva while Tirugnana Sambandar refers this form of Shiva as the nature of light that could not be comprehended by Brahma and Vishnu.