Markandeya Purana
The Markandeya Purana is one of the eighteen major Puranas, which in the sacred literature of Hinduism means one of the popular, encyclopaedic collections of myth, legend, and genealogy. Puranas are in the category of ancient Hindi writings that is considered to be "Smriti" (remembered by ordinary human beings and attributed to an author). Other Hindu scriptures, such as the Vedas, are considered (in Hinduism) to have been heard and transmitted through direct knowledge by accomplished and enlightened sages and seers (called "rishis"); those texts are not "Smriti" but instead are categorized as "Śruti"[1]
The Markandeya Purana is believed to have been composed between 250 CE and 550 CE.
The eighteen so-called "Maha Puranas" (major ones) are: Vishnu, Naradiya, Padma, Garuda, Varaha, Bhagavata, Matsya, Kurma, Linga, Shiva, Skanda, Agni, Brahmanda, Brahmavaivarta, Markandeya, Bhavishya, Vamana, Brahma.