If someone asks you what Jyotirlingas are and their significance in Indian culture, this is a pillar of light, a divine path that Lord Shiva shows to his devotees. However, every Jyotirlinga in India holds immense significance and a story. There are 12 Jyotirlingas that have been placed in numerous locations around India.
Hindu devotees from all over the world visit these pilgrimages yearly and take part in spiritual journeys. These sanctums come with a sense of peace, offering blessings to devotees. These Jyotirlingas are also believed to have divine powers and are among the most sacred places. In this blog, we'll explore the 12 Jyotirlinga name, their significance, their stories, and understand why they are so special to devotees.
Meaning and Significance of 12 Jyotirlingas in India
A vision of the 12 Jyotirlinga name when recited and when devotees visit the temples is believed to release them from sins and fulfil their wishes, besides liberating them for "Moksha - Mukti Lav". Each of the Jyotirlinga in India is mentioned in the Shiva Purana and is considered to hold religious significance.
12 Jyotirlinga Name and Place List in India
People from all over the world visit these holy places to seek the blessings of Lord Shiva. Each place is also believed to be divine and blessed, making people much more lively.
1. Somnath in Gir, Gujarat
First and foremost, the divine Somnath Jyotirlinga is a Jyotirlinga in India listed among the 12 Jyotirlinga names. This major pilgrimage is a holy place for the Hindus, and it is located in the Prabhas Kshetra near Veraval in Gujarat.
Known for its grand architecture and historical significance, the Somnath temple states a mythological story. The god of the moon, Chandra, performed a puja to please Lord Shiva, and the purpose was to get relieved from the curse dealt by his father-in-law, Daksha. With Chandra's devotion, Shiva appeared as Jyotirlinga and saved Chandra from the curse.
Location: Prabhas Kshetra, near Veraval, Gujarat
Timing: 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Highlight: The Somnath Light & Sound Show very famous, occurs daily from 8:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Rs. 30 is the ticket cost for adults and Rs. 10 for 10 years under old children.
How to reach: Diu Airport is the nearest airport, located approximately 85 km away. The nearby railway station is Veraval Railway Station, approximately 7 km from the temple.
Best time to visit: October to February or during Shivratri (February or March)
Some Nearby Attractions: Dehotsarg Tirth, Bhalka Tirth, Gita Mandir, Triveni Sangam, Gir National Park, and Diu Island.
2. Nageshwar in Dwarka, Gujarat
In the list of 12 Jyotirlinga name in India, Nageshwar Jyotirlinga is one of the first. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, it is situated near Dwarka in Gujarat. The name of this temple also originates from its sanctum, an underground chamber located below the earth's surface, where Shiva gave darshan to Supriya.
A demon Daaruka used to trouble the residents of the place, and that is when Lord Shiva appeared in the form of Nageshwar and saved his devotees from the outrage of Daaruka. Therefore, the holy word 'Nageshwar' emanates from the word 'Nag', which means serpent or snake.
Location: Between Dwarka and Beyt Dwarka, Gujarat
Timing: 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Highlight: The huge idol of outdoor Shiva statue and peaceful coastal areas
How to reach: The nearest airport is Jamnagar Airport, around 137 km away. Dwarka Railway Station is about 18 km from the temple.
Best time to visit: October to March
Some Nearby Attractions: Dwarkadhish Temple, Rukmini Temple, Gomti Ghat
3. Bhimashankar – Pune in Maharashtra
Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga is located in the Sahyadri hills near Pune in Maharashtra. Thick forests surrounded the temple and the popular Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary, which is so popular among devotees. We also do bhimashankar monsoon trek for travellers every monsoon.
Also, according to the mythology tale, a demon named Tripurasura caused trouble on Earthearth, and Lord Shiva took the form of Bhimashankar to protect his devotees and defeated the demon. This holds immense significance in this place.
Location: Bhimashankar, Pune District, Maharashtra
Timing: 4:30 AM to 9:30 PM
Highlight: Houses a Swayambhu Jyotirlinga, a self-manifested Lord Shiva, and visit the nearby Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary
How to reach: Pune Airport is the nearest airport, about 110 km away. Pune Railway Station is the closest railhead.
Best time to visit: October to March
Some Nearby Attractions: Hanuman Lake, Nagphani Point, Sakshi Ganapati Temple
4. Kashi Vishwanath in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
Kashi Vishwanath is one of the most Jyotirlingas recited by devotees among the 12 Jyotirlinga name. Located in the holy city of Varanasi, on the western bank of the Ganges, the temple's meaning is 'Lord of Light'.
According to Mythology, Lord Shiva gifted goddess Parvati to the city of Kashi and promised to live there forever. The sacred place Kashi Vishwanath is home to many saints and spiritual seekers. Millions of devotees visit this place yearly, believing that "dying in Kashi Viswanath grants liberation from the cycle of rebirth".
Location: Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
Timing: 2:30 AM to 11:00 PM
Highlight: Evening Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat
How to reach: Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport is about 26 km from Varanasi. Varanasi Junction is the nearest railway station
Best time to visit: November to February
Some Nearby Attractions: Sarnath, Assi Ghat, Manikarnika Ghat
5. Trimbakeshwar in Nashik, Maharashtra
Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga in India is located near Nashik in Maharashtra, India. It is also very special because the lingam represents three divine powers of the universe, the trinity – Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva.
Godavari River, the sacred water source of this temple, makes it an important place for different devotees to perform rituals. Trimbakeshwar temple is also very popular because of its excellent, architecturally distinct structure, which includes a black stone facade and ornate domes. In the 18th century, the temple was built in the Hemadpanthi style. According to Mythology, Lord Shiva blessed sage Gautam and his wife Ahalya with immortality at this place.
Location: Trimbak, Nashik District, Maharashtra
Timing: 5:30 AM to 9:00 PM
Highlight: Kushavarta Kund, the sacred bathing tank
How to reach: Nashik Airport is the nearest airport to Trimbakeshwar, under 31 km away. Nashik Railway Station is the nearest railway station, about 28 km from the temple.
Best time to visit: November to February
Some Nearby Attractions: Anjaneri Fort, Brahmagiri Hill, Neel Parbat
6. Vaidyanath in Deoghar, Jharkhand
When devotees recite the 12 Jyotirlinga name, Vaidyanath Jyotirlinga or the Baidyanath Dham is another sacred place in Deoghar, Jharkhand. However, this place holds significance. Deveotees say this place is associated with the demon king Ravana, who pleased Lord Shiva and got the blessing to make himself invincible.
To please Lord Shiva and fulfill his intention, Ravana offered his ten heads, one after another, to Shiva. And, pleased with this penance, Lord Shiva appeared before Ravana and healed him; hence, the name Vaidyanath means "Lord of Physicians."
Location: Deoghar, Jharkhand
Timing: 4:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Highlight: The month-long Shravani Mela, drawing millions of kanwariyas
How to reach: Deoghar Airport is the closest to the Vaidyanath, approximately 7 Km. Jasidih Junction is the closest railway station, approximately 10 km from the temple
Best time to visit: July to August or October to March
Some Nearby Attractions: Naulakha Mandir, Tapovan Caves, Basukinath Temple
7. Grishneshwar in Aurangabad, Maharashtra
Located at the Ellora caves area, near Aurangabad, Maharashtra, Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga in India, it is among the most popular 12 Jyotirlingas. The specialty of this temple is that it is made of red stone, and the whole architecture of this temple is a different sort of beauty.
According to Hindu mythology, there was a devotee named Kusuma who used to worship Lord Shiva and had a strong belief in her heart. So, the Lord took the form of the Jyotirlinga and appeared before her.
Location: Verul, Ellora, Aurangabad, Maharashtra
Timing: 5.30 AM to 9.30 PM
Highlight: Proximity to Ellora Caves and beautifully sculpted architecture
How to reach: The closest airport is Aurangabad Airport that is approximately 36 km away. Also, the nearest rail station is Aurangabad Railway Station
Best time to visit: November to February
Some Nearby Attractions: Ellora Caves, Daulatabad Fort, Bibi Ka Maqbara
8. Mahakaleshwar in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh
In the ancient city of Ujjain stands the Mahakaleshwar Temple, a divine Jyotirlinga in India, one of the most beautiful and powerful among the 12 Jyotirlingas. However, this temple is very special because it faces south, while the rest face East, which is believed to radiate immense shakti and even symbolise death in Hinduism.
The temple of Mahakaleshwar is also known as 'Mahakal' among devotees, which means "Lord of Time". It is believed that Mahakal protects from evil. Furthermore, one of the main attractions of this place is Bhasma Aarti, a special ritual that takes place every morning.
Location: Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh
Timing: 4:00 AM to 11:00 PM
Highlight: The iconic Bhasma Aarti is performed during dawn using the sacred ash and begins at 4:00 AM.
How to reach: The Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Airport in Indore is the nearest airport, around 55 km away. Ujjain Junction is the closest railway station
Best time to visit: October to March
Some Nearby Attractions: Ram Ghat, Sandipani Ashram, Kal Bhairav Temple
9. Omkareshwar in Khandwa, Madhya Pradesh
Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga in India is named after the shape of the island in the Narmada River, because it looks like the Hindi symbol 'Om' (ॐ). According to Mythology, King Mandhata prayed at this sacred place for a long time, and Lord Shiva appeared here to bless him.
Devotees also mention and recite the name of this holy place along with the other Shiva Lingam temples. Many devotees believe that visiting the Omkareshwar Shiva Temple, in the list of 12 Jyotirlinga name offers significant benefits and this is to believe that it is believed to be similar to worshipping the Panch Kedars (five Kedarnath shrines).
Location: Mandhata Island, Khandwa District, Madhya Pradesh
Timing: 5:00 AM to 9:30 PM
Highlight: Island shaped like the symbol 'Om' and even serene boat rides
How to reach: The nearest airport to the temple is Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Airport in Indore, 80 km away. The closest railhead is Omkareshwar Road Railway Station, 12 km from the temple
Best time to visit: October to March
Some Nearby Attractions: Mamleshwar Temple, Gauri Somnath Temple, Siddhanath Temple
10. Kedarnath in Rudraprayag, Uttarakhand
The Kedarnath Jyotirlinga in India is 3,583 meters above sea level in the Himalayas and is known as one of the divine places. The snow-capped peaks and the banks of the Mandakini River make this temple's location more serene and calm, so that one can easily perceive the tranquil beauty of the place from the location's description.
It is also said that to seek blessings from Lord Shiva, the Pandavas visited this place to get rid of their sins after the war they participated in at Kurukshetra. Summer is the only time to visit the temple, as the climate is not so pleasant in other times of the year.
Location: Kedarnath, Uttarakhand
Timing: The Kedarnath Temple has set daily timings for worship, generally from 4:00 AM to 7:00 AM for morning prayers and from 5:00 PM to 7:30 PM for evening prayers, with darshan periods between these times
Highlight: Bhim Shila, a huge rock that is believed to protect the Kedarnath Temple during the 2013 floods
How to Reach: Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun from the Mandir, around 239 km away. Rishikesh is the closest railway station, 215 km from Kedarnath. The final 16 km to the temple is covered on foot or by pony/palanquin.
Best time to visit: May to June and September to October
Some Nearby Attractions: Chorabari Tal, Vasuki Tal, Bhairavnath Temple
11. Ramanathaswamy in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu
Ramanathaswamy in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, holds an emotional value. According to the mythology legends, the Shiva Linga was put by Lord Rama at this place. The aim was to worship Lord Shiva before leaving for Lanka to rescue his kidnapped wife, Sita, from Ravan.
The Mandir is also very famous because of its grand structure and for having the longest corridor among all Hindu temples in the country. Rameshwaram is also known as one of the Char Dham pilgrimage sites.
Location: Rameshwaram, Tamil Nadu
Timing: 5:00 AM to 1:00 PM and then again from 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM on all days of the week
Highlight: Agni Theertham and also the temple's legendary corridor very famous among devotees
How to reach: The nearest airport is Madurai Airport, which is approximately 170 km away. Rameswaram Railway Station is well-connected with major cities
Best time to visit: October to April
Some Nearby Attractions: Agni Theertham, Adam's Bridge, Dhanushkodi
12. Mallikarjuna in Srisailam, Andhra Pradesh
As you learn the 12 Jyotirlinga names, Srisailam Mallikarjuna is a divine place in the magnificent Nallamala hills. Listed as one of the most popular pilgrimage places for Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati devotees, the Hindu beliefs say that this is also in the list of 18 Maha Shakti Peethas, which worship Shakti (the goddess).
According to mythology, Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati are worshipped here in the form of Mallikarjuna (Shiva) and Bhramaramba (Parvati) so they can stay close to their elder son, Kartikeya. However, this place holds immense significance because it is India's only temple complex with a Jyotirlinga and a Shakti Peetha.
Location: Srisailam, Andhra Pradesh
Timing: 4:30 AM to 10:00 PM
Highlight: The gold-plated tower and the Sahasra Linga with more than 1000 tiny lingas.
How to Reach: Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad is the nearest location from the temple, just 202 km away from the airport. The nearest railway station is in Markapur that is around 85 km from Srisailam
Best time to visit: October to February
Some Nearby Attractions: Srisailam Dam, Sakshi Ganapati Temple, Bhramaramba Devi Temple, Akkamahadevi Caves
Visit 12 Jyotirlingas in India and Take Blessings from Lord Shiva
Jyotirlinga in India - 12 murtis, 12 sacred places, are not just any random symbols of religious beliefs or marvellous architecture; rather, a reservoir of spiritual energy, cultural heritage, and even divine mythology. Each 12 Jyotirlinga name has its own mythological significance and immense importance.
Moreover, from the serene snowbound peaks of Kedarnath to the tranquil destination of Rameshwaram, each of the Jyotirlingas in India is a place that resembles the mystic and divine aspects of Hinduism. So, start this divine journey, visit the sacred places, and get Lord Shiva's blessing.
