12 Jyotirlinga in India
12 Jyotirlinga in India hold a spiritual significance for devotees of Lord Shiva, and in this section, we bring you an brief journey through their introduction of 12 Jyotirlinga, its meaning, list of 12 jyotirlinga with places, history of jyotirlinga, and much more — including how to find them by city and answers to common FAQs.
12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiv
The term Jyotirlinga combines “Jyoti” (light) and “Linga” (symbol of Shiva) (Sanskrit: ज्योतिर्लिङ्ग), representing the radiant manifestation of Lord Shiva. According to the Shiva Purana, there are 12 Jyotirlingas in India, each symbolizing a unique aspect of Shiva and holding immense spiritual significance. These sacred shrines are revered pilgrimage sites for devotees seeking blessings and spiritual enlightenment.
Meaning and Significance of 12 Jyotirlingas
The 12 Jyotirlingas are considered the most sacred abodes of Lord Shiva. Each temple is associated with a legend and is believed to be a place where Shiva appeared as a fiery column of light. Pilgrims visit these sites to attain spiritual merit, liberation from the cycle of birth and death, and to seek the deity’s blessings.
History of 12 Jyotirlingas
The origin of the 12 Jyotirlingas is rooted in ancient Hindu scriptures. According to legend, a dispute between Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu over supremacy led Lord Shiva to appear as an infinite pillar of light, the Jyotirlinga, to demonstrate his transcendence. The places where Shiva manifested in this form became the sites of the twelve Jyotirlingas.
Explore 12 Jyotirlinga in India by States
For devotees planning visits, here are the 12 Jyotirlinga in India categorized by state:
- Maharashtra:
- Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga – Pune,
- Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga – Nashik,
- Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga – Ellora
- Gujarat:
- Somnath Jyotirlinga – Veraval,
- Nageshwar Jyotirlinga – Dwarka
- Madhya Pradesh:
- Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga – Ujjain,
- Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga – Khandwa
- Uttarakhand: Kedarnath Jyotirlinga – Rudraprayag
- Andhra Pradesh: Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga – Srisailam
- Uttar Pradesh: Kashi Vishwanath Jyotirlinga – Varanasi
- Jharkhand: Vaidyanath Jyotirlinga – Deoghar
- Tamil Nadu: Rameshwar Jyotirlinga – Rameswaram
Dwadash Jyotirling Stotra in Hindi (द्वादश ज्योतिर्लिंग स्तोत्र हिंदी पाठ)
॥ द्वादश ज्योतिर्लिंग स्तोत्रम् ॥
सौराष्ट्र सोमनाथं च श्रीशैले मल्लिकार्जुनम् ।
उज्जयिन्यां महाकालमोंकारं ममलेश्वरम् ॥ 1
परल्यां वैजनाथं च डाकियन्यां भीमशंकरम् ।
सेतुबन्धे तु रामेशं नागेशं दारुकावने ॥ 2 ॥
वारणस्यां तु विश्वेशं त्र्यम्बकं गौतमी तटे ।
हिमालये तु केदारं ध्रुष्णेशं च शिवालये ॥ 3 ॥
एतानि ज्योतिर्लिंगानि सायं प्रातः पठेन्नरः ।
सप्तजन्मकृतं पापं स्मरेण विनश्यति ॥ 4 ॥
इति द्वादश ज्योतिर्लिंग स्तुति संपूर्णम् ॥
12 Jyotirlinga in India
Discover the sacred list of 12 Jyotirlingas in India, each symbolizing a powerful manifestation of Lord Shiva. These revered temples span across the country, offering a divine pilgrimage for devotees.
12 Jyotirlinga of India (भारत के 12 ज्योतिर्लिंग)
शिव के 12 रूप, 12 तीर्थ – 12 ज्योतिर्लिंग, जहां बसा है अद्भुत ब्रह्म का तेज!
- Somnath (Gujarat) – Lord of the Moon
Mallikarjuna (Andhra Pradesh) – Shiva with Parvati
Mahakaleshwar (Madhya Pradesh) – Lord of Time
Omkareshwar (Madhya Pradesh) – Om-shaped Island
Kedarnath (Uttarakhand) – Liberator from Sins
Bhimashankar (Maharashtra) – Mighty Shiva Form
Kashi Vishwanath (Uttar Pradesh) – Lord of Universe
Trimbakeshwar (Maharashtra) – Trinity Embodiment (Brahma-Vishnu-Shiva)
Vaidyanath (Jharkhand) – Divine Healer
Nageshwar (Gujarat) – Serpent Protector
Rameshwaram (Tamil Nadu) – Rama’s Shiva Devotion
Grishneshwar (Maharashtra) – Lord of Compassion
🔱 हर ज्योतिर्लिंग में बसती है शिव की एक अनोखी लीला, एक अलग गाथा, और एक दिव्य अनुभूति।
Gujarat’s Somnath Jyotirlinga is one of the 12 temples of Lord Shiva in India and is said to be the first Jyotirlinga on Earth, serving as a significant religious destination for Hindus. The temple’s stunning architecture has been reconstructed multiple times, symbolizing unwavering faith and devotion.
Temple Timings: 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Best time to visit: October to February
How to Reach?
- Nearest Airport: Keshod Airport
- Nearest Railway Station: Veraval Railway Station
- Special Attraction: The light and sound show ‘Joy Somnath’ every evening from 8 PM to 9 PM.
Located in Srisailam, Andhra Pradesh, the Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga Temple is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas and also one of the 18 Shakti Peethas, making it a unique confluence of Shaivism and Shaktism. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva as Mallikarjuna and Goddess Parvati as Bhramaramba.
Temple Timings: 4:30 AM to 10:00 PM
Best time to visit: October to February
How to Reach?
- Nearest Airport: Kurnool Airport
- Nearest Railway Station: Markapur Railway Station
- Special Attraction: The temple’s architecture features intricately carved pillars and a gold-plated Vimana.
Situated in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, the Mahakaleshwar Temple is one of the most revered Jyotirlingas. It is unique for its Bhasma Aarti, a ritual where the deity is worshipped with sacred ash.
Temple Timings: 4:00 AM to 11:00 PM
Best time to visit: October to March
How to Reach?
- Nearest Airport: Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Airport, Indore
- Nearest Railway Station: Ujjain Junction
- Special Attraction: The Bhasma Aarti performed daily at dawn is a unique ritual attracting numerous devotees.
Located on Mandhata Island in the Narmada River, Madhya Pradesh, the Omkareshwar Temple is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas. The island’s shape resembles the sacred ‘Om’ symbol, adding to its spiritual significance.
Temple Timings: 5:00 AM to 9:30 PM
Best time to visit: October to March
How to Reach?
- Nearest Airport: Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Airport, Indore
- Nearest Railway Station: Omkareshwar Road Railway Station
- Special Attraction: The temple’s location on an island shaped like ‘Om’ is a unique feature.
Perched at an altitude of 3,583 meters in the Garhwal Himalayas, Uttarakhand, the Kedarnath Temple is one of the most sacred Jyotirlingas. It is accessible only by a 16 km trek from Gaurikund and is open to pilgrims from April to November.
Temple Timings: 4:00 AM to 9:00 PM (April to November)
Best time to visit: May to June and September to October
How to Reach?
- Nearest Airport: Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun
- Nearest Railway Station: Rishikesh Railway Station
- Special Attraction: The temple’s high-altitude location amidst the Himalayas offers breathtaking views and a serene atmosphere.
Located in the Sahyadri hills of Maharashtra, the Bhimashankar Temple is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas. It is surrounded by dense forests and is a haven for nature lovers and trekkers.
Temple Timings: 4:30 AM to 9:30 PM
Best time to visit: October to March
How to Reach?
- Nearest Airport: Pune International Airport
- Nearest Railway Station: Pune Railway Station
- Special Attraction: The temple is situated within the Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary, home to the rare Indian Giant Squirrel.
Situated in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, the Kashi Vishwanath Temple is one of the most famous Jyotirlingas. It stands on the western bank of the holy river Ganga and is a central part of Shaiva philosophy
Temple Timings: 3:00 AM to 11:00 PM
Best time to visit: October to March
How to Reach?
- Nearest Airport: Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport, Varanasi
- Nearest Railway Station: Varanasi Junction
- Special Attraction: The temple’s proximity to the Ganga allows devotees to perform rituals and ceremonies on the ghats.
Located in Trimbak, near Nashik, Maharashtra, the Trimbakeshwar Temple is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas. It is uniquely known for having three lingams representing Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva.
Temple Timings: 5:30 AM to 9:00 PM
Best time to visit: October to March
How to Reach?
- Nearest Airport: Nashik Airport
- Nearest Railway Station: Nashik Road Railway Station
- Special Attraction: The presence of three deities in one linga and the scenic backdrop of Brahmagiri Hills.
Also known as Baba Baidyanath Dham, this Jyotirlinga is located in Deoghar, Jharkhand. It is considered a powerful site where devotees seek healing and blessings from Lord Shiva.
Temple Timings: 4:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Best time to visit: July to September (Shravan month) and October to March
How to Reach?
- Nearest Airport: Deoghar Airport
- Nearest Railway Station: Jasidih Junction
- Special Attraction: The grand Shravan Mela, one of the largest religious gatherings in India.
Located near Dwarka in Gujarat, the Nageshwar Temple is one of the 12 sacred Jyotirlingas. It is considered a protector of devotees from all types of poisons and negative energies.
Temple Timings: 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Best time to visit: October to March
How to Reach?
- Nearest Airport: Porbandar or Jamnagar Airport
- Nearest Railway Station: Dwarka Railway Station
- Special Attraction: The massive 80-foot tall statue of Lord Shiva within the temple premises.
Located on Rameshwaram Island in Tamil Nadu, this temple is one of the Char Dham and among the 12 Jyotirlingas. It holds a special connection to Lord Rama’s journey to Lanka.
Temple Timings: 5:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Best time to visit: October to April
How to Reach?
- Nearest Airport: Madurai Airport
- Nearest Railway Station: Rameshwaram Railway Station
- Special Attraction: The architectural grandeur of its long corridors and sacred water tanks.
Located near the Ellora Caves in Aurangabad, Maharashtra, Grishneshwar is the twelfth and final Jyotirlinga. The temple is known for its simple elegance and spiritual serenity.
Temple Timings: 5:30 AM to 9:30 PM
Best time to visit: October to March
How to Reach?
- Nearest Airport: Aurangabad Airport
- Nearest Railway Station: Aurangabad Railway Station
- Special Attraction: Its proximity to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ellora Caves.
12 Jyotirlinga in India – Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Jyotirlinga?
A Jyotirlinga is a devotional representation of Lord Shiva, signifying his infinite nature
How many Jyotirlingas are there in India?
There are 12 Jyotirlingas spread across various states in India.
Which states have the most Jyotirlingas?
Maharashtra has the highest number, with five Jyotirlingas.
Is there a specific order to visit the Jyotirlingas?
No, devotees can visit the Jyotirlingas in any order based on convenience and devotion
What is the significance of visiting Jyotirlingas?
Visiting Jyotirlingas is believed to cleanse sins, grant spiritual merit, and bring devotees closer to moksha (liberation)