12 Jyotirlingas in India you must visit

It is also true that not everyone has the opportunity to travel to see these Jyotirlingas during their lifetime. Do you, however, know the history of these Jyotirlingas? Let us tell you. According to the stories related to all Jyotirlinga, the places where Lord Shiva had appeared to his devotees, at the same places Jyotirlinga originated. Let’s know what are the 12 Jyotirling names and where they are established.

Not everyone is able to see these Jyotirlingas in their life. It is also true that according to the mythological beliefs related to these 12 Jyotirlingas, Jyotirlinga originated at the places where Lord Shiva had appeared to his devotees. So come and know about the 12 Jyotirlingas, how it originated and where it is established and many more.

Somnath Temple, Gujarat

Dedicated to Shiva, the Somnath temple is one of the most important spiritual places on the Hindu circuit. It is believed to be the first of 12 jyotirlingas (shrines for Shiva's devotion) in the country and attracts many visitors throughout the year. Bordered by the Arabian Sea, the temple presides over a spectacular view of the Saurastra peninsula. Boasting imposing Chalukyan-style architecture, Somnath Temple boasts an impressive 50m-high sikhara (tower), silver gates, intricate carvings, a Lingam idol and a Nandi (bull god) that add to the splendor of the building. The huge inner courtyard of the temple contains an equally large mandapa (hall) and main shrine, the arches of which rise above the entire temple complex. After paying obedience.

Mallikarjuna Temple, Andhra Pradesh

Mallikarjuna is the second Jyotirlinga of Shiva which is situated in Srisailam in Andhra Pradesh. Mallikarjuna is also known as Kashi of the South. Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga is located in the Nallamala hill forests on the banks of the Krishna river, about 215 km from Hyderabad. According to mythological beliefs, Shiva and Parvati landed at this place to appease an agitated Kartikeya as their younger brother Ganesha was getting married before them. The monsoon season is the ideal time to visit Srisailam since the forests are lush and green and provide breathtaking views.

Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga, Madhya Pradesh

Shri Mahakaleshwar is the third Jyotirlinga out of 12 Jyotirlingas. The Mahakal or Mahakaleshwar Temple is located in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh. Mahakaleshwar Temple is one of the ancient temples of Lord Shiva. This temple of Mahakal is situated on the banks of the holy river Kshipra/Shipra. The idol of Mahakal is also known as Dakshin Mukhi temple which is situated in a huge courtyard. On the way to the sanctum sanctorum, a brass lamp which illuminates the way to the sanctum sanctorum is situated in the Jyotirlinga. The linga is quite large in size. The idol of Lord Ganesha is installed on one side of the Jyotirlinga and the idols of Goddess Parvati and Kartikeya are installed on the other side.

Omkareshwar, Madhya Pradesh

Omkareshwar is the fourth Jyotirlinga out of 12 Jyotirlingas. Dedicated to Shiva, the temple is nestled on Omkar Mountain, an island in the middle of the Narmada River. The temple has a large sabha mandap (prayer hall) supported by 60 massive stone pillars. Each of the five floors of the temple has a different deity and there are three prayer services daily. The morning prayer is in charge of the patronage of the temple; the other two prayer services are presided over by priests from Holkar and Sindhia states. The temple attracts a large number of pilgrims who also visit the nearby Mamleshwar temple. Taking a dip in the Narmada River before entering the temple is considered a good omen. The ancient Shiva linga housed in the temple is protected by a glass case.

Baba Baidyanath Dham Temple, Jharkhand

Baba Baidyanath is the most prominent temple in this town and attracts crowds of devotees every year. The temple is revered as a jyotir linga (devotional representation of Shiva) and as shakti peetha (devotional shrines where the body parts of goddess Shakti fell). The temple is among the 12 sacred jyotir lingas in the country and is dedicated to Shiva. It also houses idols of Ganesha and Goddess Parvati. Prayers begin at 4 am and worship with shodashopachar (16 services) is first initiated by the head priest. Devotees are then allowed to worship Shiva. The legend says that in this place the king of Lanka, Ravana, sacrificed his ten heads, one by one, to Shiva. Seeing this, Shiva descended on earth and healed Ravana's wounds. Shiva is therefore called 'vaidhya' which means doctor or healer. Although there are various legends surrounding this sacred land, history also proves its importance. A mention of this temple can be found in records from the 8th century AD. C., during the mandate of the last king of the Gupta dynasty. During the Mughal period, Raja Man Singh, the ruler of Ambar, built a pond here, known as Mansarovar. The temple faces east and is a simple rock structure with a 22m high pyramidal tower. On top are three gold vessels, arranged compactly, along with a punchshula (five trident-shaped knives). There is also an eight-petaled lotus flower called Chandrakanta Mani. A mention of this temple can be found in records from the 8th century AD. C., during the mandate of the last king of the Gupta dynasty. During the Mughal period, Raja Man Singh, the ruler of Ambar, built a pond here, known as Mansarovar. The temple faces east and is a simple rock structure with a 22 m high pyramidal tower. On top are three gold vessels, arranged compactly, along with a punchshula (five trident-shaped knives). There is also an eight-petaled lotus flower called Chandrakanta Mani. A mention of this temple can be found in records from the 8th century AD. C., during the mandate of the last king of the Gupta dynasty. During the Mughal period, Raja Man Singh, the ruler of Ambar, built a pond here, known as Mansarovar. The temple faces east and is a simple rock structure with a 22m high pyramidal tower. On top are three gold vessels, arranged compactly, along with a punchshula (five trident-shaped knives). There is also an eight-petaled lotus flower called Chandrakanta Mani. The temple faces east and is a simple rock structure with a 22 m high pyramidal tower. On top are three gold vessels, arranged compactly, along with a punchshula (five trident-shaped knives). There is also an eight-petaled lotus flower called Chandrakanta Mani. The temple faces east and is a simple rock structure with a 22m high pyramidal tower. On top are three gold vessels, arranged compactly, along with a punchshula (five trident-shaped knives). There is also an eight-petaled lotus flower called Chandrakanta Mani.

Bhimashankar Temple, Maharashtra

Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the Bhimashankar temple is the sixth among the 12 jyotirlingas (shrines for Shiva's devotion) in India. Rajasthani and Gujarati influence can be clearly traced in the Nagara (or Indo-Aryan) architectural style of the garbha griha (sanctum sanctorum) and sikhara (tower) of the temple. Scenes from Indian epics can be seen on the outer walls of the sanctum, including Mahabharata, Ramayana, Krishna Leela and Shiv Leela. In the inner courtyard you can see inscriptions on the walls with the records of the donations received for the temple. Nana Fadnavis built it during the 18th century. The temple also has a Sabha Mandap. Although the structure is relatively new, the shrine and the Bhimarathi River have been mentioned in literature since the 13th century.

Sri Ramanathaswamy Temple, Tamil Nadu

Sri Ramanathaswamy Temple is the most popular landmark in Rameswaram, attracting pilgrims from all over the world. Dedicated to Shiva, it houses one of the 12 jyotirlingas (special shrines for Shiva's devotion). The word 'Ramanathaswamy' means Rama's teacher, and refers to Shiva, to whom Rama dedicated his prayers before his journey to Lanka, to save the goddess Sita from the clutches of Ravana.

The architecture of the temple is notable for its intricate carvings, majestic towers, and lavish corridors, all of which are lined with imposing carved pillars. There are 1,212 pillars in the temple. It also has 22 theerthams or sacred baths, in which, according to belief, one dip is enough to cleanse all sin. The temple is open every day of the week from 5am to 1pm and then from 3pm to 9pm.

Nageshwar Shiva Temple, Gujarat

The Nageshwar Shiva Temple, mentioned in the Shiva-purana and dedicated to Shiva, is one of the oldest temples in the country. It is one of the 12 jyotirlingas where Shiva's idol is said to be swayambhu (body present). The deity is worshiped with a 25 m high statue depicting a seated Shiva. The temple is a picturesque place that exhibits fascinating architecture and is surrounded by green and manicured lawns.

Legend relates that a group of dwarf sages worshiped Shiva at Darukavana. Shiva manifested before them, to test his devotion and patience, in the form of a naked ascetic with his body covered with snakes. Seeing the saint, the wives of the sages were attracted to him and left their husbands behind, which ended up enraging them. They lost patience and cursed the ascetic to lose his linga. Shiva's linga fell to Earth, shaking the entire world. When Brahma and Vishnu asked Shiva to save the world and retrieve the linga from him, Shiva accepted his request and promised that he would always be present in Darukavana as a jyotirlinga.

Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Uttar Pradesh

One of the most popular attractions in Varanasi, the Vishwanath Temple, also known as the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, is dedicated to Shiva, the patron god of the city. It is also called the golden temple, due to its gold plating. This temple has a special place among the devout Hindus. Queen Ahilya Bai Holkar of Indore gave it the form it has today in 1780.

The 15.5m tower and the dome, both of gold, were a gift from Ranjeet Singh, ruler of Punjab in 1839. The temple is set amongst a maze of shrines and narrow galis or passageways lined with shops selling sweets, paan (betel leaves), handicrafts and other trinkets. Darshan (general visit) hours are from 4 am to 11 pm. Adjacent to the sanctuary we find the Annapurna temple, dedicated to the goddess of food, and the Dundiraj Vinayak temple, dedicated to Ganesha, both equally revered. The temple is located on the banks of the Ganges river, and the belief says that this is the twelfth jyotirlinga (shrine for Shiva's devotion).

The temple compound also has a well called Jnana Vapi, or the well of wisdom. Many believe that the jyotirlinga was kept in the well and the chief saint of the temple jumped into it to protect it from intruders. The temple is of great significance in Hindu mythology as it is believed that many saints of the religion visited this place to obtain the darshan of the jyotirlinga and to bathe in the sacred waters of the Ganges. and belief says that this is the twelfth jyotirlinga (shrine for Shiva's devotion). The temple compound also has a well called Jnana Vapi, or the well of wisdom. Many believe that the jyotirlinga was kept in the well and the chief saint of the temple jumped into it to protect it from intruders.

The temple is of great significance in Hindu mythology as it is believed that many saints of the religion visited this place to obtain the darshan of the jyotirlinga and to bathe in the sacred waters of the Ganges. and belief says that this is the twelfth jyotirlinga (shrine for Shiva's devotion). The temple compound also has a well called Jnana Vapi, or the well of wisdom. Many believe that the jyotirlinga was kept in the well and the chief saint of the temple jumped into it to protect it from intruders.

The temple is of great significance in Hindu mythology as it is believed that many saints of the religion visited this place to obtain the darshan of the jyotirlinga and to bathe in the sacred waters of the Ganges.

Trimbakeshwar Temple, Maharashtra

Located on the outskirts of Nashik, the ancient Trimbakéshwar Temple is the work of the third Peshwa Balaji Bajirao (1740-1760), who built it on the site of an even older temple. It sits on the slopes of the Brahmagiri hill and is framed between the Nilgiri and Kalagiri hills.

Made entirely of black stone, it is a beautiful pilgrimage centre for Hindus dedicated to Shiva. It is located in the village of Trimbak, where the Godavari River originates. Kusavarta, a pond within the temple compound, represents the point of origin of the sacred river.

The temple is among the most important in the region, as it houses one of the 12 jyotirlingas. What is interesting about this Shiva linga is the fact that it has three faces, representing Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. The linga is adorned with a crown made of diamonds, emeralds, and other precious stones. The crown is displayed every Monday night for one hour.

Inside the temple there are also images of other gods and goddesses such as Gangadevi, Jaleswar, Ramésuaram, Gautameswara, Kedarnath, Rama, Krishna, Parashurama and Lakshmi Narayana.

When you make your visit you can also explore the impressive Brahmagiri Fort and Gangadwar, located in the vicinity of the temple.

Kedarnath Temple, Uttarakhand

Kedarnath Temple is comprised of five Kedars and 12 Jyotirlingas along with the Char Dhams. Pilgrims undertake an arduous devotional journey to reach this sanctuary dedicated to Shiva, located at an altitude of 3,584 m. The temple is one of 12 jyotirlingas (shrines for Shiva's devotion) in the country, and is considered especially sacred. The sanctum sanctorum houses a conical rock formation, worshiped as the Sadashiva (ever-auspicious) form of Shiva. This 1,000-year-old temple is made of giant stone slabs, arranged on a rectangular platform. The steps leading to the sanctum sanctorum have Pali inscriptions. Hotel Near Kedarnath

The interior walls feature sculptures of various gods and scenes from Hindu mythology. The sage Adi Shankaracharya is said to have built it in the 8th century and has undergone various renovations over the years. Every year in November, the Shiva idol moves from the Kedarnath temple to Ukhimath, as the temple ends up completely covered in snow during the winter.

In May, the idol returns to Kedarnath. There is an interesting legend regarding this religious place. Shiva is said to have turned into a bull to elude the Pandavas when they sought him out to atone for their sins after fighting the epic battle of Mahabharata. When the Pandavas discovered Shiva, he hid underground and only his hump was visible on the surface of the earth.

Ghrishneshwar Temple, Maharashtra

Resting near the Ajanta and Ellora caves in Aurangabad, this jyotirlinga is also called Gusmeshuar or Grishneshwar. Queen Ahilyabai Holkar of Indore built the temple in the Maratha style of architecture. It has beautiful carvings and designs and is composed of red and black stones.