The words “Jyotirlinga” are broken down into the words “Jyothi,” which means “radiance,” and “linga,” which means “phallus.” These Jyotirlingas are viewed as various Shiva incarnations. Hindu worshippers from all over the country travel to each of the 12 Jyotirlingas. These Jyotirlingas are strategically placed shrines, as part of their spiritual pilgrimage. Therefore, if you also want to embark on a spiritual journey, start with these jyotirlingas. These are just as magnificent as the presence of the all-powerful God.
12 Jyotirlingas in India – Shiva Temples
Jyotirlingas are located throughout the nation and attract pilgrims and tourists from around the globe. This list of the 12 Jyotirlingas can be quite useful for planning and scheduling your journey. The names and locations of the 12 Jyotirlingas are listed below:
- Somnath – Gir Somnath In Gujarat
- Nageshwar – Daarukavanam In Gujarat
- Bhimashankar – Pune In Maharashtra
- Trimbakeshwar – Nashik In Maharashtra
- Grishneshwar – Aurangabad In Maharashtra
- Vaidyanath – Deoghar In Jharkhand
- Mahakaleshwar – Ujjain In Madhya Pradesh
- Omkareshwar – Khandwa In Madhya Pradesh
- Kashi Vishwanath – Varanasi In Uttar Pradesh
- Kedarnath – Kedarnath In Uttarakhand
- Rameshwaram – Rameswaram Island In Tamil Nadu
- Mallikarjuna – Srisailam In Andhra Prades
Jyotirlingas In West India:
#1. Somnath – Gir Somnath in Gujarat
This is one of the most famous holy places in India dedicated to Lord Shiva. Somnath is considered the first among the twelve important Jyotirlingas and is highly revered as a pilgrimage site in the country. The temple’s architecture is similar to the Chalukya style. Also, people believe that Lord Shiva manifested himself in this shrine as a brilliant column of light. According to the stories in the Shiv Purana, the Moon, also known as Chandra, married 27 daughters of Dakshin Prajapati.
However, Moon was cursed by Prajapati for neglecting all his wives except one named Rohini. To break the curse and regain his lost radiance and beauty, Moon worshipped Lord Shiva.
The divine granted his wish and established himself here as Somnath forever. The Somnath Jyotirlinga temple is located in the Kathiawad region and has been destroyed and rebuilt around sixteen times. There is no doubt that this temple is one of the most significant among the twelve Jyotirlingas. In addition, it serves as an important landmark for travellers in Gujarat.
Temple hours: The temple is open daily from 6 AM until 9 PM. Aarti ceremonies are held at 7 AM, 12 noon, and 7 PM. The renowned light and sound show called ‘Joy Somnath’ occurs each evening from 8 to 9 PM.
Directions
The closest railway station to Somnath is Veraval Railway Station. It has good connectivity with major cities in India and is merely 5 km away from Somnath. You can cover this distance by taxi or cab.
#2. Nageshwar – Daarukavanam In Gujarat
Nageshwar is another renowned Jyotirlinga temple in India. This temple is on the Saurashtra coast in Gujarat, between Gomati Dwarka and Bait Dwarka. Throughout the year, numerous devotees visit the temple of Nagnath to seek blessings from the sacred shrine of Nageshwar Mahadev. This is located underground. The temple complex features a 25-meter-tall statue of Lord Shiva. Besides this, there is a beautiful garden, and breathtaking views of the deep blue Arabian Sea, captivating the visitors. As one of India’s most potent Jyotirlingas, it represents protection from all poisons.
Temple timings: The temple is open every day from 5 AM to 9 PM. Devotees can visit for darshan from 6 AM to 12:30 PM and 5 PM to 9 PM.
#Directions
The closest railway stations to Nageshwar are Dwarka station and Veraval station. The nearest airport to Dwarka is Jamnagar Airport, located 45 km away.
#3. Bhimashankar – Pune in Maharashtra
This temple is on the banks of River Bhima. The Bhimashankar temple is an exquisite black rock structure designed in the Nagara architectural style. It is amidst a wildlife sanctuary. This sacred site in Maharashtra is believed to have been constructed by Bheema, the son of Kumbhakarna. Throughout the year, a significant number of devotees come here. Particularly during Maha Shivratri, devotees make their way to this shrine. Visitors to the Bhimashankar temple also have the opportunity to visit the nearby Kamalaja temple, which is dedicated to Kamalaja. This is an incarnation of Parvati. Undoubtedly, this jyotirlinga holds great popularity among the various jyotirlingas in India.
Temple timings: Every day of the week, from 4:30 AM to 12 PM and from 4 PM to 9:30 PM, the temple is open. Darshan begins at 5 am and lasts until nine-thirty night
How To Reach
To reach Bhimashankar, the closest railway station is Karjat station, which is approximately 168 kilometres away. From there, one can cover the remaining distance by taking a bus or a rickshaw.
#4. Trimbakeshwar – Nashik in Maharashtra
Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga is close to the Brahmagiri mountain, which is the source of the Godavari River, also known as Gautami Ganga. As per the Shiv Purana, both the Godavari River and Gautami Rishi fervently requested Lord Shiva to make this place his abode. Thus the deity manifested in the form of Trimbakeshwar. One of the distinctive features of this jyotirlinga is its unconventional structure. Instead of a traditional shrine, there exists a void containing three pillars inside. The three pillars stand in for the three most potent deities—Vishnu, Brahma and Maheshwar.
Temple Timings: Every day of the week, from 5:30 AM to 9 PM, the temple is open.
How To Get There
Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport is the closest airport to Trimbakeshwar. Igatpuri Railway Station is the closest railroad station. Trimbakeshwar, which is in Nashik, is also accessible by road.
#5. Grishneshwar – Aurangabad in Maharashtra
Grishneshwar, which signifies ‘Lord of Compassion,’ is one of the most famous temples. This temple is in Verul, near Ellora, just under a kilometre away. This temple is also known as Ghrishneshwar Jyotirlinga and Dhushmeshwar Jyotirlinga.
According to the Shiv Puranas, there was a couple named Sudeha and Sudharm who lived in the Devagiri Mountain region. They were unable to have children. Sudeha arranged for her husband to marry her sister, Ghushma. Soon Ghushma and Sudharm were blessed with a son. This made Sudeha envious, leading her to throw the child into a lake where Ghushma used to immerse 101 Lingams (sacred symbols of Lord Shiva). Through Ghushma’s persistent prayers, Lord Shiva returned her son to her. In response to Sudharm’s request, Lord Shiva appeared at this location and became known as Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga.
The winter months, from October to March, offer pleasant weather at this destination. The temperature ranges between 12 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius. This makes it an ideal time for tourists to visit and explore the attractions freely.
Temple opening hours: Come to the temple between 5:30 AM and 9:30 PM for darshan and worship. Darshan is available from 3 PM to 11 PM during Shravan. Darshan typically lasts for a few hours. There are a lot of visitors throughout the month of Shaván. At this time darshan takes 6 to 8 hours to complete.
How To Get There
From other regions of India, you can travel to Aurangabad by train or plane. Direct trains and aircraft run from Delhi to this location. Grishneshwar is 30 kilometres away from Aunrangabad, and this distance may be travelled by car or cab.
Jyotirlingas In East and Central India:
#6. Vaidyanath – Deoghar in Jharkhand
Vaidyanath is also known as Baidyanath or Vaijinath. This temple holds a significant position among the 12 revered Jyotirlingas in India. It is also recognized as one of the 52 sacred Shakti Peethas, dedicated to Sati, in Hindu mythology. According to the legends, Ravana, the mythical figure, spent years venerating Shiva and eventually invited him to Lanka. Shiva appeared as a Shivalinga and instructed Ravana not to place it down until they reached Lanka. This temple, known as Vaidyanath, is a well-known Jyotirlinga in India.
However, Vishnu intervened and influenced Ravana to rest the Shivalinga for a while. Disobeying Shiva’s command, Ravana placed the linga on the ground, and it became permanently fixed in Deoghar. Since then, it has been worshipped as Vaidyanath. During the month of Shravana, this temple attracts a large number of devotees. Also, it is believed that worshipping here can alleviate all sufferings and lead to spiritual liberation and salvation.
Winter in Maharashtra spans from October to February. This offers delightful weather with temperatures hovering around 25 degrees Celsius. During this period, tourists can effortlessly explore various attractions, including temples and other scenic spots.
Temple timings: The temple is open every day between 4 AM and 3:30 PM and between 6 PM and 9 PM. Timings for darshan are extended during significant religious events like Maha Shivaratri.
How To Reach There
Jasidih Junction is the closest train station to Vaidyanath. Ranchi has a direct route to this station. Taking an auto or cab will get you to the temple, which is only 15 km from the station.
#7. Mahakaleshwar – Ujjain In Madhya Pradesh
The Mahakaleshwar temple in Ujjain, India, is surrounded by dense Mahakal forest and holds great spiritual significance as one of the Jyotirlingas. According to legend, it was established by a young boy named Srikar, inspired by the devotion of King Chandrasena of Ujjain. Situated on the banks of the Kshipra River, the Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga is one of the seven mukti-that in India, a place believed to grant liberation to those who visit.
Temple timings: 4 AM to 11 PM are the hours of the temple.
How To Get There:
Indore is 51 kilometres from Mahakaleshwar’s closest airport. The four railroad stations that are closest to Mahakaleshwar are Chintaman, Ujjain Junction, Pingleshwa and Vikram Nagar.
#8. Omkareshwar – Khandwa In Madhya Pradesh
Omkareshwar, known as the ‘Master of the Om Sound,’ holds great reverence as a highly sacred location in India. Found on an island named Shivapuri, situated in the Narmada River, this temple possesses significant mythical importance. According to legend, a conflict emerged between the Devas and Danavas, prompting the Devas to beseech Lord Shiva for victory. Pleased with their prayers, Lord Shiva manifested as Omkareshwar and assisted the Devas in overcoming the malevolent forces, thus establishing its prominence as one of India’s twelve revered jyotirlingas.
Temple Timing: Every day of the week from five in the morning until ten at night, the temple is open
How To Get There
The closest airports to Omkareshwar are Indore (77 km) and Ujjain (133 km). Indore, 77 kilometres away, is the closest significant railway station. Additionally, buses travel to Omkareshwar from Ujjain, Indore, and Khandwa.
#Jyotirlingas In North India:
#9. Kashi Vishwanath – Varanasi In Uttar Pradesh
The Kashi Viswanath Jyotirlinga is on the western side of the River Ganga in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. The name ‘Kashi’ is derived from another name for Varanasi. ‘Viswanath’ or ‘Vishveshwar’ signifies the ‘Ruler of the Universe’. The primary deity worshipped here is known as Vishwanath or Vishveshwar. This jyotirlinga is commonly referred to as ‘The Golden Temple of Varanasi’. It is believed that taking a holy dip in the Ganges and visiting the jyotirlinga can lead to Moksha. People here believe that devotees of Lord Shiva are free from death itself. Because messengers of Lord Shiva take them directly to Mount Kailash instead of Yama after their demise. Also, there is a belief that Shiva personally imparts the mantra of salvation into the ears of those who pass away naturally at this sacred place.
Temple timings: The temple is open daily from 2:30 AM to 11 PM. The times for darshan and the daily puja rites are listed here.
Mangala Aarti: 3 AM to 4 PM
Sarva Darshan: 4 AM to 11 AM
Bhog Aarti: 11:15 AM to 12:20 PM
Sarva Darshan: 12:20 PM to 7 PM
Sandhya Aarti: 7 PM to 8:15 PM
Shringara Aarti: 9 PM to 10:15 PM
Shayana Aarti: 10:30 PM to 11:00 PM
#10. Kedarnath – Kedarnath in Uttarakhand
Located in the Rudra Himalayan Range, Kedarnath is positioned at an elevation of 1200 feet. The Kedarnath Jyotirlinga holds significance as one of the four sacred sites in the Hindu religion. Owing to the harsh winter conditions and heavy snowfall, the temple remains inaccessible and shuts down for six months. It opens its doors exclusively from May to June. Pilgrims en route to Kedarnath typically embark on a journey to Gangotri and Yamunotri first. From here they collect sacred water to offer at the revered Kedarnath Shivalinga.
Must visit the Kedarnath temple at least once in your life. Performing a ritual bath on the Jyotirlinga, you can dispel all forms of unhappiness, misfortune, and ill luck.
The trek to Kedarnath is moderately challenging. So, individuals often employ walking sticks or opt for mules or dolis for transportation. Adjacent to the main Kedarnath temple, lies the Samadhi of Shankaracharya, a renowned Hindu saint.
Temple opening hours: Temple hours are from 4 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.
How To Reach Kedarnath
Jolly Grant Airport and Rishikesh Railway Station are the closest points of entry to Kedarnath, respectively. The closest road access is up to Gaurkund, where you may then hike to Kedarnath.
#Jyotirlingas in South India:
#11. Rameshwaram – Rameswaram Island In Tamil Nadu
Rameshwaram Jyotirlinga is located in the southern part of India. It is believed to have been revered by Lord Rama following his momentous triumph over Ravana. Everyone considers this temple as one of the southernmost jyotirlingas in the country. Also, the sea surrounded the temple. The temple is famous for its splendid architecture, adorned corridors, and the presence of 36 theerthams.
People consider this temple as the “Varanasi of the south,”. This Rameshwaram Jyotirlinga attracts a large number of pilgrims and is among the most popular sacred sites in India. It can be reached by way of Madurai in Tamil Nadu.
Devotees who visit this jyotirlinga also make it a point to visit Dhanushkodi beach, where Lord Rama is said to have constructed the Ram Setu bridge to Lanka to rescue his wife. Additionally, Rameshwaram Jyotirlinga is one of the four char dhams of India.
Temple opening hours: 5 AM to 1 PM and 3 PM to 9 PM are the temple’s hours of operation. Allowed till 8:00 PM is darshan.
How To Reach There
Rameshwaram is 163 kilometres from Madurai. This is where the closest airport is located. Many significant South Indian cities, notably Chennai, are also connected to it by train.
Read Also: Things To Do in Rameshwaram Temple
#12. Mallikarjuna – Srisailam in Andhra Prades
Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga temple, situated on the banks of River Krishna, stands atop Shri Saila Mountain and is renowned as the Kailash of the South, among the twelve Jyotirlingas in India. The temple boasts exquisite architecture and sculptures, including adorned pillars called gopurams and the Mukha mandapa hall. Dedicated to the deities Shiva and Bhramaramba (or Parvati), Mallikarjuna temple holds a significant position as one of the 52 Shakti peeths associated with Sati. Undoubtedly, Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga is considered one of the most prominent Shaivite shrines in the country.
Temple opening hours: Every day, from 4:30 AM to 10:00 PM, the temple is open. Between 6:30 am and 1 pm and 6:30 pm and 9 night is the Darshan time.
How To Get There
Doranala, Kurichedu, and Markarpur are among the other surrounding towns. These are all accessible by road from Mallikarjuna. Markapur Railway Station is among the nearest rail stations.
Conclusion
So, here we have given you detailed information about the famous 12 Jyotirlingas in India. So, now without wasting your time plan your trip to these holy places. These temples will help you with different kinds of peace.
FAQs:
Q. Which is the most powerful Jyotirlinga?
Since each Jyotirlinga has a potent aura, it is impossible to choose one as the most potent Jyotirlinga. Nevertheless, a lot of people think that one of Lord Shiva’s holiest abodes is the Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga in Ujjain.
Q. Is Kedarnath a Jyotirlinga?
Yes, Kedarnath is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, and every year, millions of worshippers travel to Kedarnath to pay their respects.
Q. How can I go to Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga?
To begin with, you must travel to Indore by plane, car, or train. You can take a taxi from there to Mahakaleshewar Jyotirlinga.
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