Jyotirlinga is a term used to refer to the representation of the god Shiva as a divine light (Jyoti) in the form of a lingam. According to Hindu scriptures, Lord Shiva appeared as a fiery column of light, which later took the form of a lingam, at twelve different locations across India. These twelve locations are the most sacred shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva and are known as the Jyotirlingas.
The word “Jyotirlinga” is a combination of two words, “Jyoti” meaning light, and “linga” meaning symbol or representation. Thus, Jyotirlinga refers to the representation of Lord Shiva as a divine light in the form of a lingam. The Jyotirlingas are the most sacred temples in the worship of Lord Shiva and are visited by thousands of devotees every year.
The legend of the Jyotirlinga can be traced back to ancient Hindu mythology. According to the legend, Lord Shiva appeared as a fiery column of light, which later took the form of a lingam, at twelve different locations across India. These twelve locations are the most sacred shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva and are known as the Jyotirlingas.
One legend has it that once, Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu had an argument over who was the superior of the two. To test them, Lord Shiva appeared in the form of a Lingam (a symbol of his formless nature) and asked them to find the beginning and end of the column of light. Lord Brahma lied and said he found the end while Lord Vishnu admitted his defeat. Lord Shiva was pleased with Lord Vishnu’s humility and revealed his true form and the Jyotirlinga was formed.
Another legend has it that once demon king Bhasmasura obtained a boon that whoever’s head he would touch would turn into ashes. He started to pursue Lord Shiva to touch his head and turn him into ashes, Lord Shiva ran for his life and reached the earth where he disappeared into a Jyotirlinga, which is said to be the one in the city of Ujjain.
In any case, the Jyotirlingas are considered the most sacred shrines in the worship of Lord Shiva and are visited by thousands of devotees every year. The twelve Jyotirlingas are believed to be the manifestation of Lord Shiva in his most powerful form and offer blessings to those who worship them with devotion.
12 Jyotirlingas in India
- Somnath Jyotirlinga (Gujarat)
- Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga (Andhra Pradesh)
- Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga (Madhya Pradesh)
- Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga (Madhya Pradesh)
- Kedarnath Jyotirlinga (Uttarakhand)
- Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga (Maharashtra)
- Viswanath Jyotirlinga (Uttar Pradesh)
- Triambakeshwar Jyotirlinga (Maharashtra)
- Vaidyanath Jyotirlinga (Jharkhand)
- Nageshwar Jyotirlinga (Gujarat)
- Rameshwar Jyotirlinga (Tamil Nadu)
- Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga (Maharashtra)
1. Somnath Jyotirlinga
Somnath Jyotirlinga is one of the most ancient and revered shrines in India. It is located in the Saurashtra region of Gujarat and is considered the first jyotirlinga of Lord Shiva. According to Hindu mythology, it is said that the moon god (Chandra) had lost all his luster and was suffering from a curse. He worshiped Lord Shiva at this place and regained his luster. The temple is said to have been built by the moon god himself and is also known as the “Shrine Eternal”.
The temple has undergone several renovations over the centuries, with the current structure being the seventh temple to be built on the same site. It is believed that the temple was first built by the moon god himself, and then by the Soma dynasty, the Solanki dynasty, and finally by the Peshwa in the 18th century. The temple is a beautiful example of the architectural style of the Solanki dynasty, with intricate carvings and sculptures adorning the walls.
Opening hours: Every day from 6 AM to 9 PM. Aarti takes place at 7 AM, 12 noon and 7 PM.
2. Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga
Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva and is also one of the most sacred shrines in the worship of Lord Shiva. It is located in the Srisailam town of Andhra Pradesh, India. The temple is situated on the banks of the river Krishna.
It is said that Lord Shiva appeared in the form of a Jyotirlinga at this place to marry Goddess Parvati, who was also known as Bhramaramba. The temple is said to have been built by King Harihara Bukka, one of the founders of the Vijayanagara Empire in the 14th century. The temple is also known as Srikalahasti Temple and is considered one of the five Pancharama Kshetras in Andhra Pradesh.
The temple is a beautiful example of the architectural style of the Vijayanagara Empire, with intricate carvings and sculptures adorning the walls. The temple has both the linga and the yoni, the symbol of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, inside the same sanctum.
Opening hours: The temple is open from 4:30 AM to 10 pm every day. Darshan is between 6:30 am to 1 pm and 6:30 pm to 9 pm.
3. Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga
Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga is another Jyotirlinga of Lord Shiva and one of the most sacred Shiva temples in the country. It is located in the city of Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, India. The temple is situated on the banks of the river Shipra.
Lord Shiva appeared in the form of a Jyotirlinga at this place to destroy the demon king Dushana. The temple is said to have been built by the King Vikramaditya of the Gupta dynasty in the 6th century. The temple is also known as Mahakal Temple.
The temple has intricate carvings and sculptures adorning the walls. It shows the beautiful architectural style of the Gupta dynasty. The temple has the linga underground, which can only be viewed through a small window.
Opening hours: 4 AM to 11 PM. Devotees can experience darshan from 8 AM to 10 AM, 10:30 AM to 5 PM, 6 PM to 7 PM, and 8 PM to 11 PM.
4. Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga
Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva and is also a popular temple to worship Lord Shiva. It is located on an island in the Narmada River, in Madhya Pradesh, India. The temple is situated in the shape of the Hindu Om symbol.
Lord Shiva appeared in the form of a Jyotirlinga at this place to grant the wishes of the sage Vindhya. The temple is said to have been built by the King Mandhata of the Ikshvaku dynasty in ancient times. The temple is also known as Omkar Mandhata
The temple has the unique feature of having two lingas, one of Lord Shiva and one of Lord Vishnu, inside the same sanctum, which makes it one of the most important temples for Hindus.
Opening hours: Open on all days of the week from 5 in the morning to 10 at the night. Darshan is between 5:30 AM to 12:20 PM and 4 pm to 8:30 PM.
5. Kedarnath Jyotirlinga
Kedarnath Jyotirlinga is located in the Himalayas, in the state of Uttarakhand, India. The temple is situated at an altitude of 11,755 ft above sea level.
According to Hindu books, Lord Shiva appeared in the form of a Jyotirlinga at this place to give refuge to the Pandavas during their exile. The temple was built by the Pandavas in ancient times. The temple is also known as Kedarnath Temple. It is also of the four major shrines in the Hindu religion, known as the Char Dhams.
The template has intricate carvings and sculptures adorning the walls. It has linga inside the Garbha Griha (Sanctum sanctorum) which can only be viewed by the priests. It is also believed that a visit to the temple can help to relieve one of all their sins and help to achieve salvation. Devotees from all over the country, especially from Uttarakhand, visit the temple in large numbers, particularly during the Kedarnath Yatra and Char Dham Yatra. The temple is also visited by many tourists from all over the world.
Opening hours: 4 AM to 12 Noon and 3 PM to 9 PM
6. Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga
Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga is also one of the twelve Jyotirlingas. The Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga is located in the Bhimashankar Temple in the village of Bhorgiri, near Pune in the Indian state of Maharashtra. The temple is situated in the Western Ghats, a mountain range that runs parallel to the western coast of India. The temple is surrounded by dense forests and is home to a variety of wildlife, including the Indian Giant Squirrel and the Hanuman Langur. The temple is also located near the source of the Bhima River, which is considered to be one of the sacred rivers of Maharashtra.
The temple is believed to have been built during the 13th century by the Maratha king, Raja Bhimdev. The temple architecture is a blend of the Hemadpanthi and the Nagara styles. The temple has a main sanctum, a hall, and a porch. The main sanctum houses the linga, which is considered to be the embodiment of Shiva. The linga is made of black stone. The temple is also a popular spot for trekking and hiking, as it offers beautiful views of the Western Ghats.
Opening hours: All days of the week from 4:30 AM to 12 noon and 4 PM to 9:30 PM. Darshan starts at 5 in the morning and continues till 9:30 at night. In the afternoon, during Madhyan Aarti, darshan is closed for 45 minutes.
7. Viswanath Jyotirlinga
Viswanath Jyotirlinga, also known as the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, is a popular Jyotirlinga. The Viswanath Jyotirlinga is located in the city of Varanasi (also known as Kashi), in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. The temple is situated on the western bank of the Ganges river.
The temple has a long history, with the current structure believed to have been built by the Maratha ruler, Ahilya Bai Holkar, in the 18th century. The temple has a main sanctum, a hall, and a porch. The main sanctum houses the linga, which is considered to be the embodiment of Shiva. The linga is made of black stone. The temple is also a popular spot for rituals such as the Ganga Aarti, which is performed every evening on the banks of the Ganges river.
The temple complex also includes other smaller shrines dedicated to various deities such as Annapoorna Devi, Kartikeya, and Ganesha. The temple is also surrounded by many Ghats, which are steps leading down to the river Ganges, and are used for ritual bathing.
Opening hours: The temple opens every day from 2:30 AM for 11 PM. Read below for the daily puja rituals and darshan timings.
- 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
8. Triambakeshwar Jyotirlinga
The Triambakeshwar Jyotirlinga is located in the Triambakeshwar Temple in the town of Trimbak, in the Indian state of Maharashtra. The temple is situated at the foothills of the Brahmagiri mountain range, which is considered to be a part of the Sahyadri mountain range. The temple is also located near the source of the Godavari River, which is considered to be one of the sacred rivers of Maharashtra.
The temple is believed to have been built by the Peshwa Balaji Baji Rao in the 18th century, and the architecture of the temple is a blend of the Maratha and the Hemadpanthi styles. The temple has a main sanctum, a hall, and a porch. The main sanctum houses the linga and the linga is made of black stone. One of the unique features of the Triambakeshwar Jyotirlinga is that it is one of the few Jyotirlingas that has three faces, representing the three aspects of Shiva: Aghora, Tatpurusha and Vamadeva.
Opening hours: 5:30 AM to 9 PM, all days of the week.
9. Vaidyanath Jyotirlinga
Vaidyanath Jyotirlinga is also known as Baba Baidyanath Jyotirlinga or Vaijnath Jyotirlinga. The Vaidyanath Jyotirlinga is located in the Deoghar district of Jharkhand, India. According to Hindu mythology, the linga at this temple was worshipped by Ravana, the king of Lanka, who obtained the linga from Lord Shiva himself as a boon for his devotion.
The temple is situated in the city of Deoghar and is dedicated to Lord Shiva in the form of Vaidyanath. The temple is built in the traditional Nagara style of architecture. The temple complex includes a number of smaller shrines dedicated to various deities such as Devi Parvati, Ganesha, and Kartikeya. The temple is surrounded by many Ghats, which are steps leading down to the river Ganges and are used for ritual bathing. The temple also has a sacred well, called the Sita Kund, which was dug by Sita, the wife of Lord Rama, during her exile.
Opening hours: The temple is open on all seven days from 4 AM to 3:30 PM and from 6 PM to 9 PM.
10. Nageshwar Jyotirlinga
The Nageshwar Jyotirlinga is located in the Dwarka district of Gujarat, India. This linga is said to have been worshipped by the serpent king, Nagaraja, who obtained the linga from Lord Shiva himself as a boon for his devotion. The temple is situated on the route between Dwarka and Somnath. It was built in the traditional Nagara style of architecture and the temple complex includes a number of smaller shrines dedicated to various deities such as Devi Parvati, Ganesha, and Kartikeya.
One of the unique features of this Jyotirlinga is that it is located in a cave and devotees need to crawl on their bellies to reach the sanctum sanctorum of the temple. The temple is also known for its association with the Hindu sage, Guru Gorakshanath, who performed intense Tapasya (austerities) at this temple.
Opening hours: 5 AM to 9 PM, on all days of the week. Devotees can go for darshan between 6 AM to 12:30 PM and 5 PM to 9 pm.
11. Rameshwar Jyotirlinga
Rameshwar is also known as Rameswaram Jyotirlinga or Ramanathaswamy Jyotirlinga. This Jyotirlinga is located in the island of Rameswaram in the state of Tamil Nadu, India, and is dedicated to Lord Shiva in the form of Rameshwar. According to Hindu mythology, Lord Rama, an incarnation of Vishnu, built this temple to absolve himself of the sin of killing the demon king, Ravana, who was a Brahmin. The temple is also known for its long corridor with thousands of pillars, which is said to be the longest in the world. Hindu sage, Adi Shankaracharya also visited the temple and established the worship of Lord Rama at the temple. The temple complex includes a number of smaller shrines dedicated to various deities such as Devi Parvati, Ganesha, and Kartikeya.
Opening hours: 5 AM to 1 PM and 3 PM to 9 PM. Darshan is permitted till 8 PM.
12. Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga
Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga is located in the village of Verul, near Daulatabad in the state of Maharashtra, India. The temple is also known as Ghushmeshwar Temple, Kusumeswar Temple and Grushmeswar Temple. The temple is over 800 years old and was built during the reign of the Chalukya dynasty. The temple is made of red stone and has a unique architectural style that is typical of the Chalukya period. The temple has a central shrine with a linga, which is a symbolic representation of Lord Shiva. It also has a beautiful entrance gate and a courtyard that is surrounded by smaller shrines and mandapas. The temple is also considered to be one of the five Kshetra Panchakas, which are five sacred places where Lord Shiva appeared in the form of a Jyotirlinga.
It is believed that Lord Shiva himself appeared in the form of a Jyotirlinga at this site. According to legend, a king named Ravan was performing a yagna to attain immortality. However, Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu decided to intervene and Lord Shiva appeared in the form of a Jyotirlinga to stop the yagna. The temple is also said to be the site where the sage Gushma performed penance to attain salvation.
Opening hours: For darshan and puja, visit the temple between 5:30 AM to 9:30 PM. During Shravan, darshan is between 3 PM to 11 PM.
The 12 Jyotirlingas in India are Somnath, Nageshwar, Bhimashankar, Trimbakeshwar, Kashi Vishwanath, Kedarnath, Grishneshwar, Vaidyanath, Mahakaleshwar, Omkareshwar, Rameshwaram, and Mallikarjuna.
All the Jyotirlingas have a powerful aura and have their own significance. There is no way one can pick the one Jyotirlinga as the most powerful. But many people believe that Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga in Ujjain is one of the most sacred.
There are 12 Jyotirlingas in India
