In Hinduism, Lord Shiva is revered as the Supreme Being. The worship of the Shivling holds immense spiritual value, and among the most sacred are the twelve Jyotirlingas—divine representations of Shiva where he is believed to have manifested in the form of light (jyoti). These holy shrines are spread across different states of India, each with unique religious, mythological, and historical importance. This article offers a detailed look into the names, locations, legends, and spiritual significance of all 12 Jyotirlingas.
Table of Contents
What is a Jyotirlinga?
“Jyoti” means “light” or “radiance,” and “Linga” symbolizes the divine generative energy. Hence, a Jyotirlinga represents a divine pillar of light that signifies the infinite nature of Lord Shiva. The glory of these Jyotirlingas is described in the Skanda Purana, Shiva Purana, and Linga Purana. Devotees believe that worshipping at these shrines cleanses sins and leads one towards moksha (liberation).
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List of 12 Jyotirlingas of India (With Names and Locations)
| S.No | Name of Jyotirlinga | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Somnath Jyotirlinga | Prabhas Patan, Gujarat |
| 2 | Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga | Srisailam, Andhra Pradesh |
| 3 | Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga | Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh |
| 4 | Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga | Khandwa, Madhya Pradesh |
| 5 | Kedarnath Jyotirlinga | Uttarakhand (Himalayas) |
| 6 | Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga | Pune, Maharashtra |
| 7 | Kashi Vishwanath Jyotirlinga | Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh |
| 8 | Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga | Nashik, Maharashtra |
| 9 | Vaidyanath Jyotirlinga | Deoghar, Jharkhand (some say Bihar) |
| 10 | Nageshwar Jyotirlinga | Dwarka, Gujarat |
| 11 | Rameshwaram Jyotirlinga | Ramanathaswamy Temple, Tamil Nadu |
| 12 | Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga | Ellora, Maharashtra |
Mythological Significance of the 12 Jyotirlingas (Detailed Summary)
1. Somnath Jyotirlinga (Gujarat)
Regarded as the first of the twelve Jyotirlingas, Somnath is believed to have been established by Chandra Dev (Moon God) after he was cured of a curse through penance to Lord Shiva. Situated on the Arabian Sea coast, it symbolizes eternal divinity.
Historically, the temple has faced multiple destructions and reconstructions. The present structure was rebuilt in 1951 under the leadership of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, India’s first Home Minister. Today, Somnath stands as a beacon of faith and resilience.
2. Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga (Andhra Pradesh)
Located on the Srisailam hill near the Krishna River, this shrine signifies the union of Shiva and Parvati. As per legend, Shiva came here to console his son Kartikeya, who had isolated himself.
Known as the “Kashi of the South,” this temple is sacred for both Shaivites and Shaktas. It is also home to one of the 18 Maha Shakti Peethas — the shrine of Goddess Bhramaramba.
3. Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga (Madhya Pradesh)
Situated in Ujjain, Mahakaleshwar represents Shiva as the “Lord of Time” (Mahakaal). It is the only south-facing Jyotirlinga and famous for its daily Bhasma Aarti (ash ritual).
According to myth, Shiva manifested here to defeat a demon named Dushan, who terrorized Ujjain. This temple is a significant center for tantra worship and liberation rituals.
4. Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga (Madhya Pradesh)
Located on Mandhata Island in the Narmada River, Omkareshwar derives its name from the shape of the island, which resembles the sacred syllable ‘ॐ’ (Om).
The legend states that King Mandhata performed intense penance here, and Shiva appeared in the form of Omkareshwar. This site also holds historical ties with Adi Shankaracharya and Advaita philosophy.
5. Kedarnath Jyotirlinga (Uttarakhand)
Nestled in the Himalayas, Kedarnath is the highest and among the most revered Jyotirlingas. It opens only from Akshaya Tritiya to Kartik Purnima due to extreme weather conditions.
The Mahabharata narrates that the Pandavas sought Shiva’s blessings here for redemption after the war. Disguised as a bull, Shiva vanished into the earth, and the hump appeared here as a lingam.
6. Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga (Maharashtra)
Situated in the Sahyadri hills, Bhimashankar is where Shiva is said to have slain the demon Tripurasura. The temple is surrounded by dense forest, which is now a wildlife sanctuary.
It is also believed that the Bhima River originates from here. The blend of mythology and biodiversity makes this place both sacred and serene.
7. Kashi Vishwanath Jyotirlinga (Uttar Pradesh)
Located in the spiritual capital Varanasi, this shrine signifies liberation and supreme knowledge. It is believed that death in Kashi grants immediate moksha with Shiva whispering the Taraka mantra.
Legends state that Kashi was established by Shiva himself and will remain untouched even during cosmic dissolution. The temple is mentioned extensively in the Skanda Purana.
8. Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga (Maharashtra)
Near the origin of the Godavari River, Trimbakeshwar is unique for housing a three-faced lingam representing Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva.
It is known as a land of sages and is also one of the four locations of the Kumbh Mela. The lingam is always moist, symbolizing the continuous flow of divine energy.
9. Vaidyanath Jyotirlinga (Jharkhand)
Situated in Deoghar, Vaidyanath depicts Shiva as the divine healer. According to legend, Ravana offered his ten heads here in devotion to gain invincibility.
Impressed by Ravana’s penance, Shiva appeared and became known as Vaidyanath (the divine physician). During the Shravan month, millions of devotees offer Ganga water here.
10. Nageshwar Jyotirlinga (Gujarat)
Located between Dwarka and Okha, this shrine is dedicated to Shiva’s form as the Lord of Serpents. The self-manifested lingam here symbolizes protection from all evils.
The legend narrates the story of devotee Suvedi, who was captured by a demon. Shiva manifested and destroyed the demon, granting the place the status of a Jyotirlinga.
11. Rameshwaram Jyotirlinga (Tamil Nadu)
Situated on the seashore, this temple has deep links with the Ramayana. Lord Rama installed a Shivling here before his journey to Lanka.
Rameshwaram bridges North and South India culturally. The temple has 22 sacred water tanks (kunds), and a ritual bath in them is considered highly auspicious.
12. Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga (Maharashtra)
Located near the Ellora Caves, this temple is associated with the story of a devout woman named Ghushma, who created Shiva lingas and immersed them in a lake daily.
When her son was killed, her faith did not waver, and Shiva restored her son’s life, manifesting as the Jyotirlinga. It is the smallest of the 12 Jyotirlinga shrines but highly revered.
Spiritual Benefits of Visiting the Jyotirlingas
- Brings peace and inner clarity
- Destroys accumulated sins
- Assists in the journey towards moksha (liberation)
- Blesses the devotee with harmony and prosperity
Conclusion
The 12 Jyotirlingas are not just sacred destinations; they are powerful centers of divine energy, devotion, and spiritual awakening. Each Jyotirlinga has a unique story, divine aura, and connection to Shiva’s boundless compassion. A pilgrimage to these sites deepens one’s spiritual path and brings the devotee closer to liberation and truth.
Click Here To Read In Hindi: भारत के 12 ज्योतिर्लिंग: नाम, स्थान और इनकी पौराणिक महिमा की सम्पूर्ण जानकारी
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