Mahashivaratri Special – Know About the 12 Jyotirlinga of India

Mahashivaratri is a major festival in Sanatan tradition. On this day, the entire nation immerses itself in devotion to Lord Shiva. Among the largest temples dedicated to Shiva, the 12 Jyotirlinga hold special significance. It is believed that Jyotirlingas are sacred places where Lord Shiva himself established the lingas. Apart from Mahashivaratri, these temples are visited by devotees throughout the year. There are 12 Jyotirlingas in India. Let’s know about these sacred places:

Somnath

The first Jyotirlinga among the 12 is Somnath, located on the western coastline in the Saurashtra region of Gujarat, at Prabhas Patan. It is said that the Moon God (Chandra) established this linga. Somnath Temple is also known for performing religious rites like Pitru Shraddha, Narayan Bali, and others, especially in months like Chaitra, Sawan, Bhadrapad, and Kartik. Many devotees visit during these times. Somnath is also associated with the departure of Lord Krishna from Earth.

12 Jyotirlinga – Mallikarjuna

The second Jyotirlinga is Mallikarjuna, located at the Shri Shail Mountain on the banks of the Krishna River in Andhra Pradesh. This place is often called the “Kailash of the South.” Hindu scriptures suggest that worshiping here gives the same benefits as performing the Ashwamedha Yajna. The temple also houses the Bhraamamba Shakti Peeth.

Mahakaleshwar

Located on the banks of the Kshipra River in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, Mahakaleshwar is the third Jyotirlinga. It is a favorite among tantriks and is revered in its South-facing (Dakshinamurti) form. The Mahakaleshwar temple is especially significant during the Simhastha Kumbh Mela, which occurs every 12 years in Ujjain. Scriptures mention Mahakaleshwar as the divine Shiva linga on Earth.

12 Jyotirlinga – Omkareshwar

Omkareshwar is located in the Khandwa district of Madhya Pradesh, on an island in the Narmada River. It is said that the great devotee Kubera meditated here and established the linga. The temple is situated on a hill shaped like the sacred symbol “Om.” It is believed that Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati came here to play the game of dice.

Kedarnath

Kedarnath Temple, nestled in the Himalayas in Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand, is one of the most revered and rare temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. During the winter, the temple remains closed for six months. It is said that after visiting Kedarnath and nearby Badrinath, the journey reaches its full spiritual fulfillment.

Bhimasankar

In the Sahyadri range in Maharashtra, Bhimasankar is the sixth Jyotirlinga. It is also known as Mateshwar Mahadev. According to myths, Lord Shiva killed the demon Bhimasura here. Visiting Bhimasankar is believed to free one from all worldly troubles.

12 Jyotirlinga – Kashi Vishwanath

Kashi Vishwanath Temple, located on the banks of the Ganges River in Varanasi, is one of the most significant Jyotirlingas. Kashi is considered the place situated on Lord Shiva’s trident. Many sages and saints have visited this temple. The temple was renovated by Queen Ahilyabai Holkar in 1780 and later rebuilt with 1,000 kg of gold by Maharaja Ranjit Singh in 1853.

Trimbakeshwar

Trimbakeshwar Temple is located in Trimbak, near Nashik in Maharashtra. The linga here is unique as it embodies the three principal deities: Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. The temple is surrounded by three hills—Brahmagiri, Nilgiri, and Kalagiri. Nashik also hosts a Kumbh Mela every 12 years.

Vaijnath

Vaijnath Temple, located in Jharkhand, is associated with a myth involving Ravana. The temple is considered a powerful place, and the linga here is known as the “Kamna Linga.” It is believed that Ravana, trying to carry the divine linga to Lanka, inadvertently established it at this place.

Nageshwar

Located in Dwarka, Gujarat, Nageshwar is the tenth Jyotirlinga. The temple is famous for the special significance of worshiping multiple Shivlings together. Devotees come here to perform rituals to alleviate doshas related to serpents (Kaal Sarp Dosh) and planetary alignments like Rahu-Ketu.

12 Jyotirlinga – Rameshwar

Rameshwar Temple in Tamil Nadu is said to be established by Lord Rama himself. It is believed that offering Ganga water at this temple fulfills all wishes. The temple is famous for its association with the Ramayana and is one of the sacred 12 Jyotirlingas.

Grishneshwar

Near Ellora Caves in Aurangabad, Maharashtra, Grishneshwar is the last of the 12 Jyotirlingas. It is believed that visiting Grishneshwar brings ultimate bliss and spiritual fulfillment. The temple was built by Queen Ahilyabai Holkar.