The Jyotirlingas are 12 highly sacred shrines of Lord Shiva, believed to be self-manifested (Swayambhu) columns of divine light (‘Jyoti’ = light, ‘Linga’ = symbolic form of Shiva). These temples are spread across India and are considered pillars of spiritual power where Lord Shiva is said to have revealed himself as a radiant beam of energy.
Pilgrimage to all 12 Jyotirlingas is believed to free one from the cycle of birth and death (moksha).
List of the 12 Jyotirlingas with Their Power & Location
| No. | Jyotirlinga Name | Location | Spiritual Significance / Power |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Somnath | Veraval, Gujarat | The first Jyotirlinga; represents eternity & invincibility. Associated with the Moon God’s penance. |
| 2 | Mallikarjuna | Srisailam, Andhra Pradesh | Located on Shri Shaila Mountain; signifies Lord Shiva & Parvati’s unity. |
| 3 | Mahakaleshwar | Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh | Only Dakshinmukhi (south-facing) Jyotirlinga; protects against untimely death (kaal). |
| 4 | Omkareshwar | Mandhata Island, MP | Situated on an island shaped like “ॐ”; symbolizes divine sound & cosmic vibration. |
| 5 | Kedarnath | Kedarnath, Uttarakhand | Nestled in the Himalayas; a part of Panch Kedar; bestows liberation through penance. |
| 6 | Bhimashankar | Pune, Maharashtra | Origin of River Bhima; represents Shiva’s power to destroy evil (Tripurasura). |
| 7 | Kashi Vishwanath | Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh | Most spiritually vibrant; death in Kashi grants moksha through Shiva’s whisper. |
| 8 | Trimbakeshwar | Nashik, Maharashtra | Near Godavari’s source; symbol of three aspects – Brahma, Vishnu & Mahesh. |
| 9 | Vaidyanath (Baidyanath) | Deoghar, Jharkhand | Shiva as the Divine Healer (Vaidya); fulfills all desires and cures ailments. |
| 10 | Nageshwar | Near Dwarka, Gujarat | Protector against poison and evil; Shiva as defender of devotees. |
| 11 | Rameshwaram | Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu | Worshipped by Lord Rama; represents devotion & purification of karma. |
| 12 | Grishneshwar | Ellora, Maharashtra | The smallest Jyotirlinga; symbolizes rebirth through devotion, near Ellora Caves. |
Spiritual Importance of Jyotirlinga Darshan
- Darshan of a Jyotirlinga is believed to wash away sins and grant inner peace.
- Chanting the Dwadasa Jyotirlinga Stotra is an act of deep devotion and remembrance.
- Each Jyotirlinga holds a distinct Sthala Purana (temple legend) connecting it to cosmic events and Shiva’s divine plays.
Jyotirlinga Pilgrimage Journey (Yatra)
Many devotees undertake a Jyotirlinga Yatra, visiting all twelve shrines as a once-in-a-lifetime pilgrimage. While some attempt it in one journey, others complete it over several years.
Popular routes:
- Northern Circuit: Kedarnath, Kashi Vishwanath
- Western Circuit: Somnath, Nageshwar
- Central/Southern: Mahakaleshwar, Omkareshwar, Bhimashankar, Trimbakeshwar, Grishneshwar
- Eastern/Other: Vaidyanath, Rameshwaram, Mallikarjuna
Mythology Highlight
According to the Shiva Purana, when Brahma and Vishnu once argued about supremacy, Lord Shiva appeared as an infinite column of light (Jyoti), challenging them to find its beginning or end. Neither succeeded, showing that Shiva is formless, infinite, and beyond comprehension.
