12 Jyotirlingas and Their Significance

InHinduism, the 12 Jyotirlingas hold special significance. These 12 Jyotirlingas are among the most sacred places of Lord Shiva.Here is a brief description of each Jyotirlinga:

Somnath Jyotirlinga (Gujarat):

Location: Saurashtra, Gujarat

Significance: Considered the first Jyotirlinga. Here, Lord Shiva was pleased with the penance of the Moon God (Chandra).

According to the Shiva Purana, when Prajapati Daksha cursed the moon with tuberculosis, the moon worshipped Shiva at this location to be freed from the curse. It is believed that Chandra himself established this Jyotirlinga.There is also a sacred pond called Somkund or Papnashak-Tirth, built by the gods.This temple has been destroyed 17 times due to foreign invasions but has been rebuilt each time.

Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga (Andhra Pradesh):

Location: Srisailam, Andhra Pradesh

Significance: Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati reside here. It is also known as the Kailash of the South.

Situated on the Srisailam mountain along the Krishna River, this temple's importance is likened to Mount Kailash, as many religious scriptures describe its significance.Merely visiting this Jyotirlinga is believed to absolve a person of all sins. According to a legend, worshiping Shiva on this mountain yields the same merits as performing an Ashwamedha Yajna.

Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga (Madhya Pradesh):

Location: Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh

Significance: Known as Mahakal, this Jyotirlinga is revered as the ruler of time and death.

It is the only south-facing Jyotirlinga, where the daily Bhasma Aarti is famous worldwide.The Bhasma Aarti conducted here every morning is renowned globally. Worshiping Mahakaleshwar is particularly for longevity and averting life-threatening crises. Ujjain residents believe that Lord Mahakaleshwar is their king and protector.

Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga (Madhya Pradesh):

Location: Mandhata Island, Narmada River, Madhya Pradesh

Significance: Located on the Omkar mountain, where Lord Shiva is enshrined in the form of Omkar.

Near the famous city of Indore in Madhya Pradesh, this Jyotirlinga is situated at a place where the Narmada River flows around a mountain forming the shape of 'Om.'The Omkar shape comes from the word 'Om' that originated from Brahma's mouth. Hence, any religious scripture or Vedas are recited starting with 'Om,' and this Jyotirlinga is in the shape of 'Om,' thus named Omkareshwar.

Kedarnath Jyotirlinga (Uttarakhand):

Location: Kedarnath, Uttarakhand

Significance: Situated in the Himalayas, it is a crucial site in the Char Dham pilgrimage.

Kedarnath Jyotirlinga is located on the Kedarnath peak along the banks of the Alaknanda and Mandakini rivers in Uttarakhand. To the east of this lies the Badrinath temple of Lord Badri Vishal.It is believed that the pilgrimage to Badrinath is incomplete and ineffective without visiting Kedarnath.This Jyotirlinga is mentioned in both Skanda Purana and Shiva Purana, and it holds the same importance as Mount Kailash for Lord Shiva.

Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga (Maharashtra):

Location: Pune, Maharashtra

Significance: Situated in the Sahyadri mountain range, it is near the source of the Bhima River.

Located in the Sahyadri mountain range of Pune district in Maharashtra, Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga is also known as Moteswar Mahadev.It is believed that visiting this temple with devotion every morning after sunrise frees a person from the sins of seven births and opens the path to heaven.

Kashi Vishwanath Jyotirlinga (Uttar Pradesh):

Location: Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh

Significance: This Jyotirlinga is in Varanasi, the city of Lord Shiva.

Situated on the banks of the Ganges in the holy city of Varanasi, also known as Kashi, this temple is known as Kashi Vishwanath.It is believed that Lord Shiva made this place his permanent abode, leaving Mount Kailash.

Kashi holds the highest significance among all religious places, and it is believed that even during the apocalypse, this place will remain. Lord Shiva will hold this place on his trident and restore it after the apocalypse.

Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga (Maharashtra):

Location: Nashik, Maharashtra

Significance: Situated on the banks of the Godavari River, here Lord Shiva is worshipped as Trimbak (three-eyed).

Located near the Godavari River in Nashik district, Maharashtra, this Jyotirlinga is closest to the Brahmagiri mountain.The Godavari River originates from this mountain. One of Lord Shiva's names is Trimbakeshwar, and it is said that Lord Shiva had to stay here as a Jyotirlinga at the request of Gautama Rishi and the Godavari River.

Vaidyanath Jyotirlinga (Jharkhand):

Location: Deoghar, Jharkhand 

Significance: Also known as Ravaneshwar Jyotirlinga, as Ravana worshipped Lord Shiva here.

Considered the ninth among all Jyotirlingas, the temple of Lord Vaidyanath is known as vaidyanath Dham.

Nageshwar Jyotirlinga (Gujarat):

Location: Dwarka, Gujarat

Significance: Situated on the coast, Lord Shiva is worshipped here as the lord of serpents.

Located in the outer region of Dwarka in Gujarat, Lord Shiva is the deity of serpents, and Nageshwar means the lord of serpents.It is believed that visiting this Jyotirlinga with full faith and devotion fulfills all desires.

Rameshwaram Jyotirlinga (Tamil Nadu):

Location: Rameshwaram, Tamil Nadu

Significance: This place is considered sacred because Lord Rama established a Shiva Linga here.

Located in Ramanathapuram, Tamil Nadu, it is believed that this Jyotirlinga was established by Lord Rama himself.Named after Lord Rama, this Jyotirlinga is known as Rameshwaram.

Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga (Maharashtra):

Location: Aurangabad, Maharashtra

Significance: Situated near the Ellora Caves, it is also known as 'Dhushmeshwar.'

The famous temple of Grishneshwar Mahadev is located near Daulatabad in Aurangabad, Maharashtra. It is also known as Ghushneshwar or Dhushmeshwar, where people from far and wide come to seek spiritual peace.

These 12 Jyotirlingas are significant pilgrimage sites in Hinduism and are highly revered by devotees. Each Jyotirlinga has its historical, mythological, and religious importance, allowing devotees to experience the divine form of Lord Shiva.

Har Har Mahadev 🙏