12 Jyotirlingas in India - Temples of Lord Shiva
                     
12 Jyotirlingas in India - Temples 
of Lord Shiva
India is a land full of spiritual energy and age-
old traditions. Among its many holy places, the 
Jyotirlingas are some of the most special. 
These are twelve famous temples of Lord 
Shiva, found in different parts of the country. 
Each one is deeply connected to stories from 
ancient times and holds great religious 
importance. These holy temples host millions 
of visitors each year who come to pray, find 
peace and feel spiritually connected.
In this blog, we’ll take you on a simple and 
meaningful journey through the 12 Jyotirlingas 
in India, sharing the stories behind them and 
what makes each one unique.
What is Jyotirlinga?
The word "Jyotirlinga" comes from the Sanskrit 
language—"Jyoti" means light, and "Linga" is a 
symbol of Lord Shiva. According to Hindu 
stories, especially from the Shiva Purana, there 
was once a disagreement between Lord Vishnu 
(the protector) and Lord Brahma (the creator) 
about who was more powerful.
To resolve the matter, Lord Shiva formed a 
giant pillar of light that had no beginning or 
end. He asked both of them to find either end of 
the light. Vishnu honestly said he couldn’t find 
it, but Brahma lied and said he found the top. 
Lord Shiva was pleased with Vishnu’s 
truthfulness and declared him greater. He also 
cursed Brahma that he would not be 
worshipped widely.
The 12 Jyotirlingas in India
1. Somnath – Gujarat
Somnath Jyotirlinga is situated at Prabhas Patan, 
close to the Arabian Sea. It is believed to be the 
first of the twelve Jyotirlingas in India. The Moon 
God (Soma) built this temple to get Lord Shiva's 
forgiveness. Over the years, the temple has been 
collapsed and rebuilt numerous times to show the 
deep faith of its followers.
2. Mallikarjuna – Andhra Pradesh
Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga is located close to the 
shores of the Krishna River in the beautiful 
Nallamala Hills. It is unique because it is both a 
Jyotirlinga and a Shakti Peeth, as it also holds the 
shrine of Goddess Bhramaramba. 
3. Mahakaleshwar – Madhya Pradesh
Among the oldest cities in India is Ujjain which is home to the Mahakaleshwar 
Jyotirlinga. The linga here is swayambhu (self-created) and faces south, which 
is rare. This direction symbolizes Lord Shiva as Mahakal – the Lord of Time and 
Death.
4. Omkareshwar – Madhya Pradesh
The Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga is situated in the Narmada River on Mandhata 
Island. The island's shape naturally resembles the holy Hindu sign "Om." The 
temple is surrounded by peaceful river views and offers a serene environment. 
5. Kedarnath – Uttarakhand
Kedarnath Jyotirlinga is located high in the Himalayan mountains of 
Uttarakhand, making it one of the most challenging temples to reach. Due to 
heavy snowfall, the temple is only accessible to visitors for a maximum of six 
months per year.
6. Bhimashankar – Maharashtra
Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga is located in the Western Ghats, surrounded by 
forests and rich wildlife. It is considered to be the origin of the Bhima River. As 
per the history, this is where Lord Shiva killed the monster Tripurasura.
7. Kashi Vishwanath – Uttar Pradesh
Kashi Vishwanath Jyotirlinga is in Varanasi, one of the sacred cities in India. It 
is believed that worshipping at this sacred site may lead to moksha. Because 
of its gold-covered dome, the temple is often referred to as the Golden 
Temple. 
8. Trimbakeshwar – Maharashtra
Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga is situated near the Brahmagiri Hills in Nashik, 
Maharashtra, and is known as the source of the holy Godavari River. The linga 
here has three faces that symbolize the Hindu Trinity—Vishnu, Brahma and 
Shiva. 
9. Baidyanath – Jharkhand
Baidyanath Jyotirlinga, also known as Baba 
Dham is situated in Deoghar, Jharkhand. 
According to legend, Lord Shiva appeared 
here in the form of a healer (Vaidya) to cure 
the demon king Ravana.
10. Nageshwar – Gujarat
Nageshwar Jyotirlinga is located near the 
coastal city of Dwarka in Gujarat and is 
revered as a powerful protector against fear 
and negative energy. It is believed that Lord 
Shiva killed the demon Daruka here. A tall 
statue of Lord Shiva stands near the temple, 
making it visible from far away.
11. Ramanathaswamy – Tamil Nadu
Ramanathaswamy Jyotirlinga is located on 
the sacred island of Rameswaram in Tamil 
Nadu and forms an important part of the 
Char Dham pilgrimage. Lord Rama is said to 
have appealed to Shiva here to forgive after 
his battle with Ravana. 
12. Grishneshwar – Maharashtra
Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga is the last of the 
twelve and is located near the Ellora Caves in 
Aurangabad, Maharashtra. The temple was 
built by a devoted woman named Kusuma and 
Lord Shiva is believed to have blessed her 
with this divine presence here.
Conclusion 
The pilgrimage to the 12 Jyotirlingas in 
India is not merely a tour of ancient 
temples; it is a profound spiritual belief and 
a way to feel closer to Lord Shiva. Many 
devotees believe that going to these holy 
places can help remove past sins, bring 
peace, good health and ultimately lead to 
spiritual liberation (moksha). Each 
Jyotirlinga shows a different form of Lord 
Shiva’s power and blessings.
Apart from the spiritual side, this journey 
also lets you explore the beauty of India’s 
culture, history, and amazing temple 
architecture. If you ever get a chance, do 
visit these sacred places—and don’t forget 
to chant “Har Har Mahadev!”
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