People with a religious bent, especially those in India, long to travel to pilgrimage sites to seek the blessings of all 12 Jyotirlingas, which are dispersed throughout the country’s various regions and nearly cover all four directions (east, west, north, and south), bestowing blessings on the locals from all directions. 

What does Jyotirlinga mean?

The twelve Jyotirlingas represent Lord Shiva’s countless forms that are present throughout India. In Sanskrit, Jyoti means “Light,” and Linga is a symbol for light. The twelve Jyotirlingas, which are arranged in all directions, are the holy embodiment of the all-pervading Lord Shiva.

The symbol for the infinite, boundless, and unending nature of Shiva, the Supreme Power, is the lingam, also known as the Stambh (the pillar).

There are references to 64 original Jyotirlinga temples in India in the Shiv Mahapuran. The twelve Jyotirlingas are revered and have unique religious significance.

The enthralling mystery of the 12 Jyotirlingas, which draw vast crowds of individuals seeking spiritual enlightenment, is attested to by their captivating attractiveness and ardent devotion. 

Shiva legend about the emergence of 12 Jyotirlingas:

According to the Shiva tale, Lord Shiva used his enormous and limitless Stambha to pierce through the three realms and determine which of the three gods—Brahma, the creator; Vishnu, the sustainer; and Shiva, the destructor—was the most powerful (the pillar, Jyotirlinga).

According to the legend, Brahma and Vishnu climbed and descended the pillar to discover the story’s beginning and end. 

Vishnu took on the form of the Varaha avatar and Brahma of Hansa (Swan) in order to accomplish this. While Vishnu acknowledged that he was unable to determine the start or finish of the light originating from the Stambha, the pillar, Brahma lied and displayed a Ketaki flower as evidence.

Enraged at Brahma’s dishonesty, Shiva cursed that he would not be worshipped and said that Vishnu would be worshipped for eternity due to his sincere demeanor.

Description of the 12 Jyotirlingas:

1. Mahakaleshwar Temple or Mahakaleshwar Mandir or Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga

One of the twelve Jyotirlingas, Mahakaleshwar Mandir, Mahakaleshwar Temple, or Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga, is located in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, India. The sacred town of Ujjain is traversed by the Khisipra river.

Lord Shiva is the focus of the Mahakaleshwar Temple, also known as Mahakaleshwar Mandir. Here, Lord Shiva is Swayambhu, drawing strength from within.

Shiva’s boundless nature is represented by the lingam. Temple priests arrange for the renowned “Bhasma Aarti.” In India, one of the most well-known shrines is Mahakal Jyotirlinga.

By car, the approximate 58-kilometer trip from Indore Airport to Ujjain Mahakaleshwar Mandir takes one hour and ten minutes. By road, the Mahakaleshwar temple is only two kilometers from the Ujjain Railway Station. 

2. Shri Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga or Shree Omkareshwar Temple or Shree Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga

Whatever name you give it, Shri Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga, Shree Omkareshwar temple, or just Shree Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga is a special place to visit since it is located on an island called Mandhata, which is formed like the Devanagari script’s ॐ (Om) sign. On the mainland, it is situated on the southern bank of the Narmada River.

It seems like a dream come true for people to take a boat from the mainland to Omkareshwara temple, which is located in a calm and beautiful setting.

The Omkareshwar Temple is located in the Khandwa district of Madhya Pradesh, 140 km south of the Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain.  

The Paramara Kings of Malwa, Jayasimhadeva and Jayavarman, are credited with constructing the Omkareshwar temple in the eleventh century. It was subsequently controlled by Chauhan emperors.

The temple was pillaged in the thirteenth century by the Afghan king Mahmud Gazni. The Chauhan Kings continued to be in charge of the shrine during the Muslim era.

The Holkar dynasty, led primarily by Rani Ahalya Bai Holkar of Indore, restored the temple in the 19th century.

The shrine was ruled by the British throughout colonial times. The Madhya Pradesh State Government currently oversees the management of the Omkareshwar Temple Trust. 

Those looking for sites to visit in Omkareshwar might consider visiting Ahilya Ghat, Saptamatrika Temples, Siddhanath Temple, and Kajal Rani Cave. 

3. Somnath Temple, Jyotirlinga at Veraval in Gujarat:

The Deo Patan, also known as the Shree Somnath temple, is situated at Prabhas Patan, Veraval, Gujarat, India. It is situated on the hallowed ground where the final trip of Lord Shree Krishna to Neejdham took place. In western India, on the Arabian Sea shore, stands the Shree Somnath Temple. It is said that the first Aadi Jyotirlingas in India are located in Shree Somnath Temple. Here, Lord Shiva manifested as a flaming column of light. 

• Somnath Jyotirlinga, an ancient pilgrimage site:

Due to its location at the Triveni sangam, or the meeting point of the Kapila, Hiran, and Sarasvati rivers, Somnath has long been a popular pilgrimage place. Furthermore, it is reported that a curse has caused the moon deity Somraj to lose his brilliance. After taking a dip in the Sarasvati River, he became more radiant.

The artifacts and ruins including Brahmi, proto-Nagari, and Nagari scripts demonstrate the antiquity of Somnath-Patan. 

• Mughal rulers plundered Somnath Mandir:

The Shree Somnath Temple has endured numerous attacks by various Mughal emperors. Afghan Ruler Mahmud Ghazni was inspired to visit Somnath by the Arab explorer Al-Baruni’s vivid account of the temple’s grandeur.

The Mughal emperors destroyed Shree Somnath Mandir on multiple occasions: in 1299, Mahmud Ghazni, in 1395, Muzaffar Shah I, and in 1706, Aurangzeb. 

• Architectural Style of Shree Somnath Temple:

The temple’s current architectural design is in the Maru-Gurjara style.

Pran Pratishtha of the current Shree Somnath Temple was completed on May 11, 1951 by Dr. Rajendra Prasad, the Indian President at the time.

The following locations are worth seeing in the vicinity of the Shree Somnath Temple: Bhalka Tirth, Dehotsarg Tirth, and Prachi Tirth.  

4.  Mallikarjuna Temple at Srisailam in Andhra Pradesh:

Shiva and Parvati are the patron goddesses of the Sri Bhramaramba Mallikarjuna Temple. Thousands of worshippers visit the Mallikarjuna Temple, one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, each year. It is situated in the Andhra Pradesh state of Srisailam. Another Shakti Peeth is Mallikarjuna at Srisailam, Andhra Pradesh.Shiva is revered as Mallikarjuna in the Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga Temple, where the lingam is a symbol of Shiva. The image of Goddess Parvati is Bhramaramba.

• At Mallikarjuna Temple, Lord Shiva worshiped with Jasmine: 

According to mythology, Lord Shiva is known as Mallikarjuna because the Linga is worshipped with jasmine, which is known as Mallika in Telugu.

• Mallikarjuna Temple -its great past:

There is evidence of inscriptions from the second century that date back to the Satavahana dynasty. The contemporary embellishments date back to the reign of Vijayanagara Empire King Harihara I.

The Government of Andhra Pradesh is currently in charge of overseeing and maintaining the temple. Taking a taxi from Hyderabad to the temple is the most practical option. 

5.   Kedarnath Temple or Kedarnath Dham in Himalayas in Uttarakhand

One of the twelve Jyotirlingas, Kedarnath Temple, is located close to the Mandakini River in Uttarakhand’s Garhwal area, tucked away in the majestic Himalayas. The Kedarnath temple honors Lord Shiva, whereas the Badrinath temple, located in Uttarakhand, honors Lord Vishnu.

The temple of Kedarnath, which is a stop on the Char Dham pilgrimage route, is 3584 meters (11,755 feet) high. The distance between Rishikesh and Kedarnath Temple is 223 kilometers (139 miles). By road, Rudryaprag and Kedarnath are located in Uttarakhand approximately 76 kilometers apart. The trip takes about two hours because of the rough terrain. You will travel through Sonprayag and Gaurikund on the way from Rudraprayag to Kedarnath.

You will pass through Rishikesh, Devprayag, Srinagar, Rudraprayag, Gaurikund (via Agastyamuni, Guptakashi, Sonprayag, and Kedarnath) on your way from Haridwar to Kedarnath.

The river Mandakini, which rises in the Kedarnath peaks, merges with the Alaknanda river near Rudraprayag. From Gaurikund to Kedarnath, the trekking route is roughly 16 miles long. Devotees can do Ghee Abhishek at Kedarnath. 

• Legend of Kedarnath Temple:

According to legend, the Pandavas sought Lord Shiva’s blessings for forgiveness after defeating the Kauravas because they felt guilty for killing so many of them on the battlefield. The Pandavas originally constructed the temple.

Lord Shiva, disguised as a bull, fled from the Pandavas and sought safety at Kedarnath. Shiva dove under, leaving his hump visible above the surface. His bosom was seen at Madmaheshwar, his arms at Tungnath, his face at Rudranath, his tummy at Kalpeshwar, and so on.

• Panch Kedar pilgrimage circuit:

The Panch Kedar pilgrimage circuit consists of Kedarnath as well as the four other pilgrimage sites of Rudranath, Kalpeshwar, Madmaheshwar, and Tungnath.

Aadi Guru Shankaracharya is credited with founding the temples of Kedarnath and Badrinath in the Himalayas of Uttarakhand State.

Only in April (Akshaya Tritiya) and November (Kartik Purnima) is the Kedarnath Temple open to pilgrims.

In the winter, Ukhimath Temple is transformed into Lord Kedarnath’s residence, offering devotees a chance to connect spiritually through meditation in a stress-free, calm atmosphere. The Kedarnath temple was most severely damaged by flash floods in 2013. 

6.  Kashi Vishwanath Temple Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh

Temple of Kashi Vishwanathar Due to devotion, Varanasi is known by a variety of names, including India Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Banaras Kashi Vishwanath, and Baba Kashi Vishwanath. Maharani Ahilyabai Holkar of Indore constructed it in 1780.

Originally called Adi Vishveshwar Temple, the ancient Baba Kashi Vishwanath Varanasi temple was repeatedly demolished by Mughal monarchs.

Temple of Baba Vishwanath The most well-known temple devoted to Lord Shiva is located in Varanasi. It is located alongside the Ganga, a sacred river. The primary deity of the India Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi is called Vishwanath, which means “the Ruler of the World.”

There are five mandapas inside the Kashi Vishwanath temple. The lingam at Baba Kashi Vishwanath Varanasi is located at Garbhagriha.

The Uttar Pradesh government established a board of trustees to oversee the Kashi Vishwanath temple. Every day in the temple courtyard, the Banaras Kashi Vishwanath Temple worshipers get free food, known as prasad, from the Kashi Vishwanath Temple Varanasi Trust.

In 2019, the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor Project was started to relieve congestion at the shrine and along the Ganges bank. 

7. Trimbakeshwar or Trayambkeshwar Temple  in Maharashtra

The Trimbakeshwar or Trayambkeshwar temple is located in Maharashtra’s Nashik district. One of India’s twelve Jyotirlinga temples is Trimbakeshwar. The Trimbakeshwar temple honors Lord Shiva. The holy Godavri river has its source close to Trimbakeshwar.

After Aurangzeb destroyed the original Trimbakeshwar or Trayambkeshwar temple, Peshwa Balaji Baji Rao erected the current one.

The gorgeous location of the Trimbakeshwar temple is sandwiched between the Brahmagiri, Nilagiri, and Kalagiri hills.

The Lingas of the Trimbakeshwar or Trayambkeshwar temple are adorned with a jeweled crown that covers Mahesh, Vishnu, and Brahma. 

8. Bhimashankar in Maharashtra

The ancient sanctuary known as Bhimashankar Temple is located in the Sahyadri Hills of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is a well-known Jyotirlinga temple dedicated to Lord Shiva.

The Bhimashankar Temple is located in the natural sanctuary known as the Bhimashankar Forest Range in the town of Bhorgiri, about 50 kilometers northwest of Khed, near Pune. The Wildlife Sanctuary is part of the Western Ghats. Bhimashankar is the source of the Bhima River. The Bhimashankar temple is located on top of a mountain 110 kilometers from Pune.

Using the Nagara architectural style, Nana Phadanvis of Peshwa built the Bhimashankar temple in the eighteenth century.  

9.Vaidyanath jyotirlinga,Baidyanath Temple in Deoghar, Jharkhand

Jharkhand’s Deoghar, Santhal Pargana, is home to the Vaidyanath Jyotirlinga, also known as the Baidyanath Temple. Vaijnath, also known as Vaidyanath Jyotirlinga, is special because it is revered as both a Shaktipeeth and a shrine to Goddess Shakti, the bride of Shiva. The Shiva Purana describes Vaidyanath as a shrine that unites Shiva and Shakti.

According to tradition, Ravana donated nine of his heads as an offering to Lord Shiva while he was penitent in the Himalayas to appease him.

Ravana was injured, but Shiva healed him and granted him darshan, which is why the temple is known as Baidyanath Temple or Vaidyanath Jyotirlinga. The Jasidih Railway Station is about 7 km away from the Vaidyanath temple.

10. Nageshwar Jyotirlinga Temple in Dwarka, Gujarat

The Shiva Purana mentions the temple of Nageshvara Jyotirlinga, also known as Nageshwar Jyotirlinga. The location of Nageshwar Jyotirlinga is in Dwarka, Gujarat State, India.

According to tradition, the demon Daaruka imprisoned Shiva devotee Supriya at Nageshwar Jyotirlinga. After defeating the monster, Lord Shiva showed up to save His follower Supriya. Here, a self-manifested Shiva Linga materialized, and the followers venerate it.  

The timings for darshan at the Jyotirlinga temple in Nageshwar are six in the morning. Darshan is still available until 1:30 p.m. The Nageshwar Jyotirlinga Temple is open from 5:00 pm to 9:30 pm for evening darshan.

The closest train stations are Dwarka and Okha, and the closest airport is Jamnagar, if you want to visit the Nageshwar temple. 

11. Rameshwaram Jyotirlinga in Tamil Nadu

The magnificence of the statues and hallways of the Ramanathaswamy Temple, also known as Rameshwar or Rameshwaram, draws attention from all directions. The god manifests as a Jyotirlinga. The statue of the Nandi bull is 17.5 feet tall.

The other deities worshipped here include Goddess Vishalakshi, Parvathavardhini, Lord Vinayak, and Lord Subrahmanya.

According to mythology, Lord Rama begged Hanuman to bring him a Linga so he might worship Lord Shiva after defeating Ravana. Due to the delay, Goddess Sita created a Shivalinga out of sand, which is revered as Ramalingam in Rameshwaram and as Vishwalingam in place of the Lingam that Hanuman delivered. 

There are 22 Theerthams, or sacred water bodies, within the Rameshwaram temple where pilgrims bathe to atone.

The holy shrine of Rameshwaram Jyotirlinga is accessible via rail for devotees. The bus stop is roughly 2 km away, and the railway station is roughly 1 km away. The distance to Madurai International Airport is roughly 179 kilometers. 

12. Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga temple, in Aurangabad district of Maharashtra near Ellora

Approximately two kilometers separate the Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga temple, a national protected site in Maharashtra, from the Ellora Caves. A UNESCO World Heritage Site,

that is. Grishneshwar is the name for the compassionate Lord. The temple’s structures are built of red stones and have South Indian architectural design.

In the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries, the Delhi Sultanate demolished the Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga shrine. In the eighteenth century, Indore native Ahilya Bai Holkar built it in its present configuration.

 All the stones in the Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga shrine are black. The Lord Shiva is worshipped by all who come to the temple. 

Conclusion:

Everywhere in the nation, men, women, and kids have a strong desire to visit all 12 Jyotirlingas at least once in their lifetime to seek Lord Shiva’s blessings.

The temples have a long history of being closely linked to Hindu customs and culture. In addition to being deity worship sites, these temples and the rites they follow are ingrained in the daily lives of the inhabitants.  

Spiritual recognition of the 12 Jyotirlingas:

Hinduism places a strong emphasis on sustaining a peaceful environment that fosters advancement, development, and growth.

Hinduism holds that the path of spirituality, devotion, and meditation binds everyone to righteousness. The 12 Jyotirlingas serve as a massive anchor for Hindu devotees, ensuring that they stay on the righteous path forever.

12 The worship of the Jyotirlingas is not only for the well-being of the individual but also for the good of the entire society. Large crowds of people gather annually at the twelve Jyotirlingas to experience the religious and spiritual fervor. 

FAQs:

Q.1. How many Jyotirlingas are there in India?

Ans.1 There are 12 Jyotirlingas in India.

Q.2. What is the significance of 12 Jyotirlingas in Hindu religion?

Ans.2.  Worshiping 12 Jyotirlingas acts as a beacon of light and hope for the devotees. 

Their staunch faith, dedication and devotion, constantly guide and control their mind to tread on the path of righteousness to ensure public good.

Q.3. Where is Kedarnath Temple?

Ans.3. It is in the State of Uttarakhand.

Q.4 Where is Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga?

Ans.4 It is in Nasik district of the State of Maharashtra.

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