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12 Jyotirlingas

Somnath Jyotirlinga
Somnath Jyotirlinga

Somnath is the first Jyotirlinga in India among the rest of the Jyotirlinga temples. The temple is built in the Chalukya style of temple architecture. This pious temple is built at the shore of the Arabian ocean on the western corner of the Indian subcontinent. Somnath is among the most revered pilgrimage sites in the country.

According to Hindu mythology, the temple was primarily created by the moon in pure gold and later rebuilt by Ravana in silver later it was built by Krishna in sandalwood and lastly by Bhimadeva in stone.

Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga
Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga

Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga in Srisailam in Andhra Pradesh is known as Kashi of the South. According to the Shiv Puran, the Mallikarjuna jyotirlinga is the united form of both Shiva and Parvati. The word Mallika introduces Goddess Parvati, whereas Arjun refers to God Shiv. Located in the Nallamala hill forests along the banks of the Krishna River, this temple is one of the most popular Jyotirlingas in India among twelve.

The temple is also called Sri Bhramaramba Mallikarjuna Temple. The temple’s beautiful architecture is marked with carvings, the colored pillars known as gopurams, and Mukha Mandapa Hall.

Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga
Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga

Located by the banks of the Kshipra River, the Mahakaleswar in Ujjain is the most powerful jyotirlinga and divine among the 12 Jyotirlingas. Mahakaleshwar jyotirlinga is also among the seven Mukti-Sthal (place) in India. According to Hindu mythology, Mahakaal is an avatar of Lord Shiva, and devotees from various regions of India visit here to praise the lord Mahakaleshwar. The word Mahakaal combines the words Maha (virtue of Lord Shiva) and Kaal (time).

The power of Lord Shiva is considered more prominent than the time itself and the theory of mortality and time does not affect him. It is believed that the Mahakaleshwar shrine was established by a five-year-old boy named Srikar. The temple has the only Swayambhu Jyotirlinga (Shiva is the immortal soul who has no creator above him), which has its refined energy.

Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga
Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga

Resided on an Om-shaped island called Shivapuri on the banks of Narmada River, Madhya Pradesh. Denoting the Lord of the Om Sound. Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga is a revered Hindu temple, which is the center of intense faith. The Omkareshwar temple is a magnificent three-storied temple supported by large pillars made up of carved granite stone.

There are two main temples of Lord Shiva here, one to Omkareshwar located on the island and one to Mamleshwar located on the south bank of Narmada River on the mainland. Mamleshwar here is linked to the lord of the immortals. Almost every devotee considers both the temples as equally divine jyotirlinga and visit both as these temples are not far away from each other.

Vaidyanath Jyotirlinga
Vaidyanath Jyotirlinga

Vaidyanath Dham or Baba Baidyanath Temple is one of the most famous Jyotirlingas in India and also known as Baba Dham. The temple is located in Deoghar, Jharkhand, India. According to Hindu mythology, Once Ravana praised Shiva and asked him to visit Lanka. Shiva showed himself in the form of a shivling and ordered Ravana not to put it down anywhere until he reached Lanka.

Ravana accepted the condition and started his journey to Sri Lanka. En route, Lord Vishnu interrupted Ravana in the form of Jaldevta and influenced Ravana to keep the shivling at rest. Hence, Ravana forgot the condition and kept the shivling down. Since then Shiva dwells as Vaidyanath, in Deoghar town.

Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga
Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga

According to Dwadasha Jyotirlinga Stotram, Bhimashankar is the sixth jyotirlinga among the 12 Jyotirlingas in India. Located on the banks of River Bhima, this black rock structure temple holds a major religious significance among Hindus.

According to Hindu mythology, once Lord Shiva became angry and destroyed the brutal devil Bhima to ashes, and resided here in the form of a jyotirlinga. The temple has a Nagara architectural pattern, which belongs to the Maratha style of architecture. Apart from its religious significance the area also offers several spectacular views.

Rameshwaram Jyotirlinga
Rameshwaram Jyotirlinga

Rameshwaram owns the 7th position among the sequence of 12 jyotirlingas. The temple has a magnificent Dravidian style of architecture. Rameshwaram temple is located in a small town, which is situated in Pamban Island in Tamil Nadu. The special thing about the Rameshwaram temple is that there are twenty-two water bodies present in the temple complex.

According to the common belief, to show respect to Lord Shiva, devotees take a holy bath at these water bodies before Darshan. The Temple has two jyotirlingas, one made by Lord Rama and another brought by Hanuman from Kashi. It is said that the jyotirlinga brought by Hanuman is a replica of the Kashi Vishwanath jyotirlinga.

Nageshwar Jyotirlinga
Nageshwar Jyotirlinga

On the coast of Saurashtra in Gujarat, between Gomati Dwarka and Bet Dwarka. Nageshwar is one of the most famous Jyotirlinga temples in India as it signifies the power of protection from all types of poisons. The temple is built with pink stone and the idol is Dakshinamurti. Only Hindu devotees are allowed to visit inside the Sanctorum to worship or perform Abhishek.

The permission to a devotee is given by the local priest in traditional attire. According to Shiv Purana, Lord Shiva smeared a demon named Daruka and his army to rescue his imprisoned devotee named Supriya. Lord Shiva’s body was covered with snakes thus named Nageshwar. There is also a large statue of a Shiva in a sitting position, which can be seen from far away.

Kashi Vishwanath Jyotirlinga
Kashi Vishwanath Jyotirlinga

Kashi Vishwanath is one of the most important Jyotirlingas in India among the rest. Millions of Devotees visit here every year to seek the blessing of the Almighty. According to the history of India, the temple was plundered several times as it was made up of absolute gold.

In the story in the Shiva Purana, once Brahma and Vishnu disputed about their domination. To test them, Lord Shiva converted himself as an endless pillar of light and asked them to find its end. While Lord Brahma lied to have found the end, Lord Vishnu admitted his defeat.

Trimbakeshwar- Jyotirlinga
Trimbakeshwar- Jyotirlinga

Located on the banks of the River Godavari, near Brahmagiri Mountain, Nasik. Trimbakeshwar holds an eminent spiritual importance as it is among the four Hindu cities where the Kumbh Mela is held every 12 years.

The temple has a very unique shape and is famous all over the world. The three pillars placed inside the temple represent the three powerful and supreme Gods, namely, Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh. It is said that there is a temple built at the site where Lord Rama performed the shraddha ceremony of his forefathers.

Kedarnath Jyotirlinga
Kedarnath Jyotirlinga

Located on the Garhwal Himalayan range near the Mandakini River in Uttarakhand, Kedarnath is important among all the Jyotirlingas. It is also one of the major Dham in Chardham Gangotri Yamutori and Badrinath. It is believed that it was built by the five Pandava brothers of the Mahabharata.

There is no confirmation about the temple in ancient literature when it was built, but it is believed to be 3,000 years old. The temple remains closed for 6 months as it is located at a high altitude and suffers from severe climatic conditions. The famous Hindu saint Adi Shankaracharya’s Samadhi is located just behind the main Kedarnath temple.

Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga
Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga

Grishneshwar jyotirlinga is referred to as the lord of compassion. It is the last jyotirlinga among the 12 jyotirlingas in India. The temple is splendidly constructed with red and black stones. The temple has 5 storied Shikhara-style construction, the mountain peak style of architecture.

The temple has beautiful carvings of Vishnu’s Dashavatar on the walls of the temple. In the main court hall of the temple, there is a huge Nandi Bull, which signifies purity and justice. The temple is close to Ellora caves, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The temple is also called Dhushmeshwar Temple.