12 Jyotirlinga: The Sacred Abodes of Lord Shiva

The 12 Jyotirlinga are the holiest of Shiva temples according to Hindu beliefs. They are believed to emanate the highest spiritual power and thus are of religious importance. Let’s explore each of these in detail.

Grineshwar Jyotirlinga

Grineshwar Jyotirlinga, also known as Ghushmeshwar, is a famous Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is located near Aurangabad, Maharashtra. The temple was reconstructed by Maloji Raje Bhosale in the 16th century.

Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga

Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga is an ancient Shiva temple located in Nashik, Maharashtra. It is one of the most ancient Jyotirlinga shrines, dating back to at least 350 BC. The temple is known for its natural springs and holy water.

Vaidyanath Jyotirlinga

The Vaidyanath Jyotirlinga Temple is located in Deoghar, Jharkhand. It is one of the oldest Jyotirlinga shrines and is revered as a place of healing and Ayurvedic knowledge. The temple is also known for its annual Shravani Mela festival.

Nageshvar Jyotirlinga

The Nageshvar Jyotirlinga is located on the seashore of Dwarka in Gujarat. The temple is believed to be one of the oldest Jyotirlinga shrines, dating back to the Vedic era. The temple is known for its serpent imagery and carvings.

Kashi Vishwanath Jyotirlinga

The Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi is the most famous of the 12 Jyotirlingas. It is considered the holiest place for Shaivites and a must-visit for all Hindus. The temple has a long history dating back to the 8th century CE.

Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga

The Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga is one of the most important Hindu temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is located in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh and is known for its mystical Lingam which is said to remain eternally youthful.

Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga

Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga is located on an island in the Narmada River near Madhya Pradesh. The temple complex consists of two temples – one for Shiva and one for Vishnu. It is known for its magnificent architecture and spiritual significance.

Somnath Jyotirlinga

The Somnath Jyotirlinga Temple is located in Prabhas Patan, Gujarat and is one of the most celebrated spiritual sites in India. The temple has a long history dating back to the 6th century BC and has been destroyed several times by invaders.

Mallikarjun Jyotirlinga

The Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga is located in Srisailam, Andhra Pradesh. The temple complex consists of temples for Mallikarjuna (Shiva), Bhramaramba (Devi) and Ksheerabadri (Nandi). It is known for its natural springs and scenic surroundings.

Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga

The Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga Temple is located near Pune, Maharashtra. It is nestled in a dense forest and is known for its natural springs, serene atmosphere and scenic beauty. The temple has a long history dating back to the 6th century.

Kedarnath Jyotirlinga

The Kedarnath Jyotirlinga Temple is located in the Himalayas near Rudraprayag, Uttarakhand. It is one of the hardest Jyotirlinga to access due to its high altitude location. The temple is known for its Adi Shankaracharya association.