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When the word “Jyotirlinga” is broken down, it produces “Jyothi,” which means “radiance,” and “linga,” which means “phallus.” These Jyotirlingas are many avatars of Shiva. In India, there are 12 Jyotirlingas located at important locations, and Hindu worshippers from all throughout the country visit each one for their spiritual devotion. So, if you wish to begin a spiritual journey, begin with these jyotirlingas, which are as majestic as the presence of the all-powerful God himself.
Apart from providing spiritual wisdom and benefits, these sanctums are stunningly beautiful and serene. Whichever of them you choose to see, you’ll discover that the photographs of the 12 Jyotirlingas don’t do the actual thing credit. So, take a look at this list of 12 Jyotirlingas and decide which sites you still need to visit.
12 Jyotirlingas Lord Shiva Temples in India
Jyotirlingas are spread around the country and are visited by devotees and travelers from all over the world. This list of 12 Jyotirlingas can help you with anything from planning to organizing your vacation. The following is a list of 12 Jyotirlinga pictures, each with its own name and location:
- Somnath – Gir Somnath In Gujarat
- Nageshwar – Daarukavanam In Gujarat
- Bhimashankar – Pune In Maharashtra
- Trimbakeshwar – Nashik In Maharashtra
- Grishneshwar – Aurangabad In Maharashtra
- Vaidyanath – Deoghar In Jharkhand
- Mahakaleshwar – Ujjain In Madhya Pradesh
- Omkareshwar – Khandwa In Madhya Pradesh
- Kashi Vishwanath – Varanasi In Uttar Pradesh
- Kedarnath – Kedarnath In Uttarakhand
- Rameshwaram – Rameswaram Island In Tamil Nadu
- Mallikarjuna – Srisailam In Andhra Pradesh
Jyotirlingas In West India
Find out where to go for spiritual awakening in Maharashtra and Gujarat from the vast list of 12 Jyotirlingas.
Somnath – Gir Somnath In Gujarat
This is one of India’s most well-known Jyotirlingas. Somnath is the first of the twelve aadi jyotirlingas and one of the most revered pilgrimage places in India. The temple construction is in the Chalukya style, and Lord Shiva is said to have manifested as a sizzling column of light in this shrine. According to Shiv Purana legends, Moon married 27 of Dakshin Prajapati’s daughters.
Prajapati cursed Moon for abandoning all of his wives save one, Rohini. He worshipped Lord Shiva in an attempt to break the curse and reclaim his lost brilliance and attractiveness. The almighty fulfilled his wish, and he is now immortal as Somnath.
Somnath Jyotirlinga temple, located in the Kathiawad area, has been demolished and rebuilt about sixteen times. There is little question that this temple ranks first among the 12 Jyotirlingas, and this jyotirlinga in Gujarat is an important landmark for visitors.
Temple opening hours: Every day between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m. Aarti is performed at 7 a.m., 12 p.m., and 7 p.m. Every day between 8 and 9 p.m., the famed light and sound performance ‘Joy Somnath’ takes place.
How to reach: Veraval Railway Station is the closest railway station to Somnath. It is well-connected to major Indian towns and is about 5 km from Somnath. This distance is manageable in a taxi or cab.
Nageshwar – Daarukavanam In Gujarat
Nageshwar is a popular Jyotirlinga temple in India, located on the coastline of Saurashtra in Gujarat, between Gomati Dwarka and Bait Dwarka. Thousands of worshippers visit the Nagnath temple every year to seek blessings from the sacred shrine of Nageshwar Mahadev, which is housed in a subterranean sanctuary. Visitors are captivated by the 25-meter-tall monument of Lord Shiva, the expansive park, and the unimpeded views of the turquoise Arabian Sea. This is one of India’s most potent Jyotirlingas, representing protection from all toxins.
Temple opening hours: Every day from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. Darshan is available from 6 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
How to reach: Dwarka and Veraval are the two nearest railway stations to Nageshwar. The nearest airport to Dwarka is Jamnagar Airport (45 km).
Bhimashankar – Pune In Maharashtra
Bhimashankar temple is located on the banks of the River Bhima and is a magnificent black granite building with Nagara architectural design. This jyotirlinga in Maharashtra is supposed to have been created by Bheema-Kumbhakarna’s son and is surrounded by a wildlife sanctuary of the same name. This shrine attracts a large number of people throughout year, especially during Maha Shivratri. Visitors to the Bhimashankar temple should also view the nearby Kamalaja temple, which is an embodiment of Parvati. This is one of India’s most popular jyotirlingas.
Temple opening hours: Every day from 4:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Darshan begins at 5 a.m. and lasts till 9:30 p.m. at night. A 45-minute peaceful pause emerges in the embrace of Madhyan Aarti, while the curtain briefly shrouds the heavenly darshan in the afternoon sun’s warmth.
How to reach: The Karjat railway station (168 km) is the closest to Bhimashankar. The remaining distance is possible by bus or rickshaw.
Trimbakeshwar – Nashik In Maharashtra
Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga, near Brahmagiri mountain, marks the origin of the Godavari River (Gautami Ganga). This sacred site holds a unique significance in Hindu spirituality, intertwining a revered Jyotirlinga, a divine mountain, and the holiness of a river, drawing pilgrims seeking blessings and spiritual connection. According to the Shiv Purana, the Godavari River and Gautami Rishi begged Lord Shiva to stay here, and so God manifested himself as Trimbakeshwar. The form of this jyotirlinga is the most distinctive feature. There is a vacuum here instead of a shrine, with three pillars erected within. The three pillars represent Brahma, Vishnu, and Maheshwar, the three most powerful and authoritative Gods.
Temple opening hours: Every day from 5:30 a.m. until 9:00 p.m.
How to reach: Trimbakeshwar’s nearest airport is Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport. Igatpuri Railway Station is the nearest railway station. Trimbakeshwar, located near Nashik, is also reachable by road.
Grishneshwar – Aurangabad In Maharashtra
Grishneshwar temple is one of the 12 jyotirlingas of Shiva Purana, located near the caves of Ajanta and Ellora, and has an outstanding red sandstone 5 story Shikhara style building, sculptures of Gods and Goddesses, and a massive Nandi Bull in the main court hall. This temple, which was built by Ahilyabai Holkar, is also known as Gru Someswara and Kusum Eswarar. The carved red rock sculpture of Vishnu’s Dashavatar is enormously magnificent and impresses every visitor. This is also one of the top attractions in Aurangabad.
Temple opening hours: Visit the temple between 5:30 AM and 9:30 PM for darshan and worship. During Shravan Mahina, people’s darshan is available from 3 PM to 11 PM. Darshan usually takes a few hours. There are a lot of people during the month of Shravan, and it takes roughly 6 to 8 hours to finish the darshan.
How to reach: Aurangabad may be reached by train or flight from various regions of India. There are direct trains and planes from Delhi to this place. Aurangabad is 30 km from Grishneshwar and may be reached by car or cab.
Jyotirlingas In East And Central India
Apart from delivering infinite scenic beauty, places like Jharkhand and Madhya Pradesh are noted for being home to these legendary 12 Jyotirlingas in India:
Vaidyanath – Deoghar In Jharkhand
Vaidyanath or Baidyanath or Vaijinath, one of the 52 Shakti pethas shrines of Sati in the Hindu religion, is a highly renowned jyotirlinga among the 12 Jyotirlinga names in the country. According to mythology, Ravana adored Shiva for years before inviting Shiva to Lanka. Shiva appeared as Shivalinga and told Ravana not to stop anywhere till he arrived in Lanka. It is a well-known Jyotirling in India.
Vishnu intercepted Ravana in the middle and persuaded him to rest the Shiva linga for a while. Ravana, therefore, disobeyed Shiva, and he now resides in Deoghar as Vaidyanath.
People gather here in Shravana because they believe that praising Shiva at this temple would help them overcome their difficulties and obtain moksha and salvation.
Temple opening hours: The temple is open seven days a week from 4 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Darshan hours are extended for significant holy festivals such as Maha Shivaratri.
How to reach: Jasidih Junction is the nearest railway station to Vaidyanath. This station is accessible from Ranchi. The temple is about 15 km from the station and may be accessed by vehicle or cab.
Mahakaleshwar – Ujjain In Madhya Pradesh
Ujjain, surrounded by lush Mahakal forest and the Mahakaleshwar temple, is another Jyotirling in India with enormous spiritual importance. The temple at Mahakaleshwar, one of the most prominent jyotirlingas in central India, is said to have been built by a five-year-old kid named Srikar, who was inspired by King Chandrasena of Ujjain’s devotion. Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga, located on the banks of the Kshipra River, is also one of India’s seven mukti-steals, or places that may release a human being to eternity.
Temple opening hours: From 4 a.m. until 11 p.m. People Darshan is provided from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m., 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., and 8 p.m.
How to reach: Indore (51 km) has the nearest airport to Mahakaleshwar. Ujjain Junction, Chintaman, Vikram Nagar, and Pingleshwa are the four closest railway stations to Mahakaleshwar.
Omkareshwar – Khandwa In Madhya Pradesh
Omkareshwar, which translates to “Lord of the Om Sound,” is one of India’s holiest sites. This temple, located on the island of Shivapuri in the Narmada River, is also rich in mythical importance. People say that once upon a time, there was a conflict between the Devas and the Danavas, and the Devas appealed to Lord Shiva for victory. Lord Shiva came as Omkareshwar and supported the devas in their victory against evil, making it one of India’s 12 jyotirlingas.
Temple opening hours: Every day of the week, beginning at 5 a.m. to 10 p.m., the restaurant is open. Darshan is available from 5:30 a.m. to 12:20 p.m. and from 4 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
How to reach: The nearest airports to Omkareshwar are Indore (77 kilometers) and Ujjain (133 kilometers). The nearest major railway station, Indore, is 77 kilometers away. is 77 km distant. Buses also go from Indore, Ujjain, and Khandwa to Omkareshwar.
Jyotirlingas In North India
See the locations of the 12 Jyotirlingas that you may visit on your journey in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand:
Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
Kashi Vishwanath, also known as the Golden Shrine in Varanasi, is a prominent Jyotirlinga shrine. This Jyotirlinga, built-in 1780 by Maharani Ahilyabai Holkar, a Maratha Monarch, is a prominent sacred site for Hindus. Devotees say that Lord Shiva lived here and provided everyone with emancipation and pleasure. It is also regarded as one of the country’s initial Jyotirlingas, having demonstrated its strength over other Gods by breaking through the Earth’s surface and moving toward heaven. It is one of India’s most sought-after 12 Jyotirlingas.
Temple opening hours: The temple is open daily from 2:30 AM until 11 PM. The daily puja rites and darshan times are shown here.
Mangala Aarti: 3 AM to 4 PM
Sarva Darshan: 4 AM to 11 AM
Bhog Aarti: 11:15 AM to 12:20 PM
Sarva Darshan: 12:20 PM to 7 PM
Sandhya Aarti: 7 PM to 8:15 PM
Shringara Aarti: 9 PM to 10:15 PM
Shayana Aarti: 10:30 PM to 11:00 PM
How to reach: The nearest railway station is Varanasi Junction, although there are numerous more across the city.
Kedarnath – Kedarnath In Uttarakhand
Kedarnath Jyotirlinga is one of the Hindu religion’s four dhams and is located at the height of 1200 feet in the Rudra Himalayan Range. Due to the harsh cold and snowfall, the temple is closed for 6 months throughout the winter and only open from May to June. Pilgrims on their journey to Kedarnath stop at Gangotri and Yamunotri to collect holy water to donate to the Kedarnath Shiva linga.
People think that by visiting the Kedarnath temple and soaking in the jyotirlinga, one may be free of all misery, ill fortune, and misfortune. The trek to Kedarnath is quite challenging, and some utilize walking sticks or mules, or dolls to get around. The great Hindu saint Shankaracharya’s Samadhi is located right behind the main Kedarnath temple.
Temple opening hours: 4 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.
How to reach: The nearest airport is Jolly Grant, and the nearest railway station is Rishikesh. The nearest road access is at Gaurkund, from whence you may walk to Kedarnath.
Jyotirlingas In South India
Scroll down if you’re looking for any of the following 12 Jyotirlingas in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh:
Rameshwaram – Tamil Nadu’s Rameswaram Island
Following his magnificent victory over Ravana, Lord Rama is reported to have worshipped Rameshwaram Jyotirlinga. The temple, known as the country’s southernmost jyotirlinga, is surrounded by sea and has stunning architecture, adorned hallways, and 36 theerthams.
Rameshwaram Jyotirlinga, widely known as the “Varanasi of the South,” is one of India’s most visited holy locations, accessible via Madurai in Tamil Nadu. Visitors should also visit Dhanushkodi beach, where Lord Rama built Ram Setu on his route to Lanka to save his bride. This is also one of India’s char dhams.
Temple opening hours: 5 a.m. to 1 p.m., and 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. Darshan is allowed till 8 p.m.
How to reach: Madurai (163 km) has the closest airport to Rameshwaram. It is also accessible by train from a number of important South Indian towns, including Chennai.
Mallikarjuna – Srisailam In Andhra Pradesh
Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga temple is located atop Shri Saila Mountain, on the banks of River Krishna, and is known as the Kailash of the South among the other 12 Jyotirlingas in India. The Mallikarjuna temple, with its stunning architecture and sculptures, adorned pillars known as gopurams, and mukha mandapa hall, houses Shiva and Bhramaramba or Parvati goddesses and is one of Sati’s 52 Shakti paths. Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga is without a doubt one of the most important Shaivite sanctuaries in the country.
Temple opening hours: Every day from 4:30 a.m. until 10 p.m., the temple is open. Darshan is available from 6:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
How to reach: Mallikarjuna is reachable by road from nearby towns including Doranala, Markarpur, and Kurichedu. The nearest railway station is Markapur.
These Jyotirlingas Can Be Visited All at Once
7 of India’s 12 Jyotirlingas may be visited at the same time because they are in nearby states such as Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh. This makes it simple and handy to visit all of them at the same time. These are the seven Jyotirlingas:
- Somnath Jyotirlinga, Gir
- Nageshwar Jyotirlinga, Dwarka
- Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga, Nasik
- Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga, Pune
- Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga, Aurangabad
- Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga, Ujjain
- Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga, Khanda
“Naa aadi naa ant uska, wo sabka naa inka naa unka, wahi shunya hai wahi aekaay, jiske bheetar basaa Shivaay”
“Naa aadi na ant hai uska, Woh sabka na inka unka,
Ram bhi uska, Ravan uska, Jivan uska maran bhi uska,
Taandav hai aur dhyan bhi woh hai, Agyaani ka gyaan bhi woh hai,
Wohi shoonya hai wohi ikaai, Jiske bheetar basaa Shiva hai
Toh Bolo Har Har Mahadev“
Visit these Jyotirlingas at least once throughout your life and keep singing “Har Har Mahadev”!
We’re sure you weren’t aware of all 12 Jyotirlinga locations. Are you ready to discover India’s beautiful jyotirlingas?