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Impressed by the creature’s ability to endure pain and to sacrifice itself, Lord Shiva addressed the creature as Kirtimukha, and blessed him with the boon that the ‘Face Of Glory’ would be present on the threshold and lintels of all Shiva temples to devour the sins of the devotees who visit the temples. Hence the Kirtimukha began to be carved on the lintel of doorways to Shiva temples and on the threshold of the door leading to the Garbhgriha.
