12 Jyotirlingas in India – Temples of Lord Shiva
Jyotirlinga are a set of 12 Shiva Temples spread all over India and considered holiest for Shiva devotees. It’s rather an arduous task to visit all at once and therefore most devotees make it a point to visit all over a period of time, sometimes part of an Itinerary and sometimes two or three at a time.
2 Jyotirlingas in gujarat
Somnath – Gir Somnath
Somnath is traditionally considered the first pilgrimage site: the Dwadash Jyotirlinga pilgrimage begins with the Somnath Temple. The temple, which was destroyed and rebuilt sixteen times, is held in reverence throughout India and is rich in legend, tradition, and history. It is located at Prabhas Patan (Somnath – Veraval) in Saurashtra in Gujarat.
Nageshwar – Daarukavanam
This Jyotirlinga holds special significance as it symbolizes protection from all types of poison. It is believed that those who worship at this temple become free of all poisons. According to the Shiva Purana, a Shiva devotee by the name Supriya was captured by the demon Daaruka. The demon imprisoned her with several others in his capital Darukavana. Supriya advised all prisoners to chant “Aum Namah Shivaya ” which enraged Daaruka who ran to kill Supriya. Lord Shiva manifested in front of the demon and put an end to him. Thus the Nageshwar Jyotirlinga came into being
3 Jyotirlingas in Maharastra
Trimbakeshwar – Nashik in Maharashtra
Somnath is traditionally considered the first pilgrimage site: the Dwadash Jyotirlinga pilgrimage begins with the Somnath Temple. The temple, which was destroyed and rebuilt sixteen times, is held in reverence throughout India and is rich in legend, tradition, and history. It is located at Prabhas Patan (Somnath – Veraval) in Saurashtra in Gujarat.
Bhimashankar – Pune in Maharashtra
It lies on the banks of Bhima River and is considered to be a source of this river. The legend about the existence of this Jyotirlinga is related to Kumbhakarna’s son Bhima. When Bhima learned that he was the son of Kumbhakarana who was annihilated by Lord Vishnu in his incarnation as Lord Ram, he vowed to avenge Lord Vishnu. He performed penance to please Lord Brahma who granted him immense power.
Read MoreGrishneshwar – Aurangabad in Maharashtra
This Jyotirlinga holds special significance as it symbolizes protection from all types of poison. It is believed that those who worship at this temple become free of all poisons. According to the Shiva Purana, a Shiva devotee by the name Supriya was captured by the demon Daaruka. The demon imprisoned her with several others in his capital Darukavana. Supriya advised all prisoners to chant “Aum Namah Shivaya ” which enraged Daaruka who ran to kill Supriya. Lord Shiva manifested in front of the demon and put an end to him. Thus the Nageshwar Jyotirlinga came into being
1 Jyotirlingas in Tamilnadu
Rameshwaram – Rameshwaram in Tamil Nadu
This Jyotirlinga holds special significance as it symbolizes protection from all types of poison. It is believed that those who worship at this temple become free of all poisons. According to the Shiva Purana, a Shiva devotee by the name Supriya was captured by the demon Daaruka. The demon imprisoned her with several others in his capital Darukavana. Supriya advised all prisoners to chant “Aum Namah Shivaya ” which enraged Daaruka who ran to kill Supriya. Lord Shiva manifested in front of the demon and put an end to him. Thus the Nageshwar Jyotirlinga came into being
1 Jyotirlingas in Andhra Pradesh
Mallikarjuna – Srisailam in Andhra Pradesh
This Jyotirlinga holds special significance as it symbolizes protection from all types of poison. It is believed that those who worship at this temple become free of all poisons. According to the Shiva Purana, a Shiva devotee by the name Supriya was captured by the demon Daaruka. The demon imprisoned her with several others in his capital Darukavana. Supriya advised all prisoners to chant “Aum Namah Shivaya ” which enraged Daaruka who ran to kill Supriya. Lord Shiva manifested in front of the demon and put an end to him. Thus the Nageshwar Jyotirlinga came into being
2 Jyotirlingas in Madhya Pradesh
Mahakaleshwar – jyotirling in Ujjain
Mahakaleshwar Temple, located in the ancient city of Ujjain in the state of Madhya Pradesh, is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas in India. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the Mahakal lingam at this temple is believed to be Swayambhu (self-manifested), obtaining currents of Shakti (power) from within itself. Mahakaleshwar is also one of the 18 Maha Shakti Peethas in India.
Omkareshwar – jyotirling in Shivpuri
It can only be termed as a blessing by the lords and mother nature, that Omkareshwar, the sacred island, is shaped like Om – the holiest symbol of Hinduism. It is adorned with lofty hills, between which the river Narmada forms a serene pool.
A cantilever type bridge running over river Narmada. It is a 270 ft. hanging bridge that enhances the beauty of Omkareshwar.
1 Jyotirlingas in Jharkhand
Baidyanath – Jyotirlinga, Jharkhand
Vaidyanath Temple is also known as Vaijnath or Baidyanath. It is located at Deogarh in the Santal Parganas region of Jharkhand. This is one of the highly revered Jyotirlinga shrines, and the devotees believe that the sincere worship of this shrine relieves a person from all his worries and miseries. People believe that one attains moksha or salvation by worshipping this Jyotirlinga.
1 Jyotirlingas in Uttar Pradesh
Visweswara – jyotirlinga in Varanasi
The Kashi Vishwanath Temple is located in the most revered site in the world- Kashi! It is situated amidst the crowded lanes of the holy city of Banaras (Varanasi). More than the Ghats and Ganga of Varanasi, the Shivalinga remains the devotional focus of the pilgrims. It is believed that Banaras is the site at which the first Jyotirlinga manifested its supremacy over other gods, broke through the earth’s crust and flared towards heaven.
1 Jyotirlingas in Uttaranchal
Kedareshwar – jyotirlinga in Kedarnatha in Varanasi
One of the holiest pilgrimage sites in India, the Kedarnath Temple is located on the Rudra Himalaya Range at the height of 12000 feet on a mountain named Kedar. It is approximately 150 miles from Hardwar. The temple enshrining the Jyotirlinga opens only six months in a year. The tradition is that while embarking on a pilgrimage to Kedarnath people first visit Yamunotri and Gangotri and brings the holy water to offer at Kedarnath.
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