29-08-202412 Jyotirlingas in India to Seek Blessings in 2024
Exploring the 12 Jyotirlingas in India: A Spiritual Home to the most ancient, culturally and spiritually rich traditions. India has a whole raft of sacred sites that remain among the most respected globally. Among these, if you wonder about how many Jyotirlinga in India?, then you landed over the write place. Let’s have a look at the 12 Jyotirlingas figure uppermost in the minds of devotees of Lord Shiva.
The term Jyotirlinga is derived from two Sanskrit words: ‘Jyoti,’ meaning light, and ‘Linga,’ which means symbol or representation of Shiva. Thus, Jyotirlinga means the radiant sign of Lord Shiva. These 12 Jyotirlingas in India are believed to signify the supreme and infinite nature of Lord Shiva. This blog will take you through a journey of these 12 holy sites about their history, significance, and much more.
Meaning and Significance of 12 Jyotirlingas in India
12 Jyotirlingas in India are believed to be the most holy shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is believed that these are those places where Shiva manifested as a fiery column of light to reaffirm his supreme divinity. A vision of the 12 Jyotirlinga in India is believed to relieve the devotees from their sins and liberate them-thus, moksha. The 12 Jyotirlingas in India find their mention in several ancient Hindu texts such as Shiva Purana and are considered to be of great religious significance.
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12 Jyotirlingas List in India
People from every part of the world come to these holy places to seek blessings and solace and realise the holy presence of Lord Shiva by visiting these 12 Jyotirlingas in India.
- 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
Somnath – Gir Somnath in Gujarat
First and foremost, Somnath Jyotirlinga is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas in India. This major pilgrimage point of the Hindus is located in the Prabhas Kshetra near Veraval in Gujarat. It is well-known for its grand architecture and historical significance. A story associated with Somnath states that the god of the moon, Chandra, performed a puja to Lord Shiva to be relieved from the effect of a curse dealt by his father-in-law Daksha. Pleased with such dedication, Shiva appeared in the form of Jyotirlinga and liberated Chandra from the evil spell.
| Location | Prabhas Kshetra, near Veraval, Gujarat |
| Timing | 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM |
| How to Reach | Diu Airport is the nearest airport, located approximately 85 km away. The nearby railway station is Veraval Railway Station, approximately 7 km away from the temple. |
| Nearby Attractions | Bhalka Tirth, Triveni Sangam, Gir National Park, and Diu Island. |
Nageshwar – Daarukavanam in Gujarat
Nageshwar Jyotirlinga is one of the first of the 12 Jyotirlingas in India dedicated to Shiva, situated near Dwarka in Gujarat. The name of the temple originates from its sanctum, which comprises of an underground chamber below the earth’s surface, where Shiva gave darshan to Supriya. A demon named Daaruka used to trouble the residents of nearby areas, and it was then that Lord Shiva manifested in the form of Nageshwar to save his followers from the tyranny of Daaruka. Thereby, the name ‘Nageshwar’ emanates from a word ‘Nag’, which means serpent or snake, as the presiding deity of the temple has been linked to serpents since time immemorial.
| Location | Daarukavanam, near Dwarka, Gujarat |
| Timing | 6:00 AM to 12:30 PM and 5:00 PM to 9:30 PM |
| How to Reach | The nearest airport is Jamnagar Airport, around 137 km away. Dwarka Railway Station is about 18 km from the temple. |
| Nearby Attractions | Dwarkadhish Temple, Rukmini Devi Temple, Bet Dwarka, Gomti Ghat. |
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Bhimashankar – Pune in Maharashtra
Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga is located in the Sahyadri hills, near Pune in Maharashtra, amidst dense greenery and the Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary. History associated with the temple is related to a demon named Tripurasura who became a menace on Earth. Lord Shiva took an avatar by the name Bhimashankar and destroyed the demon Tripurasura to save his devotees; hence, this place became very important.
| Location | Bhorgiri village, Pune, Maharashtra |
| Timing | 4:30 AM to 12:00 PM and 4:00 PM to 9:30 PM |
| How to Reach | Pune Airport is the nearest airport, which is about 110 km. Pune Railway Station is the closest railhead. |
| Nearby Attractions | Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary, Hanuman Lake, Gupt Bhimashankar, Sahyadri hills. |
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Trimbakeshwar – Nashik in Maharashtra
Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga is close to Nashik city in Maharashtra, and it holds a special position since it symbolizes the trinity of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. This is among the 12 Jyotirlingas in India, and is at one of the sources of the Godavari River, making it a major place for Hindu rituals and other activities. It is said that Lord Shiva gave the boon of immortality to the sage Gautam and his wife Ahalya here.
| Location | Trimbak, Nashik, Maharashtra |
| Timing | 5:30 AM to 9:00 PM |
| How to Reach | Nashik Airport is around 31 km away. The nearest railway station is Nashik Road Railway Station, which is about 28 km from the temple. |
| Nearby Attractions | Brahmagiri Hill, Anjaneri Mountain, Kalaram Temple, Saptashrungi. |
Grishneshwar – Aurangabad in Maharashtra
Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga is located in the Ellora caves area, near Aurangabad, Maharashtra, and happens to be the last among the 12 Jyotirlingas in India. The temple is made of red stone, and the architecture is of a different sort of beauty. According to the myth, there lived a devotee named Kusuma, who used to worship Lord Shiva with a belief in her heart. So, the Lord took the form of a Jyotirlinga and gave vision to her.
| Location | Verul, Ellora, Aurangabad, Maharashtra |
| Timing | 5.30 AM to 9.30 PM |
| How to Reach | The closest airport is Aurangabad Airport, which is approximately 36 km away. The nearest railhead is Aurangabad Railway Station. |
| Nearby Attractions | Ellora Caves, Bhadra Maruti Temple, Daulatabad Fort, Ajanta Caves. |
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Vaidyanath – Deoghar in Jharkhand
Vaidyanath Jyotirlinga or Baidyanath Dham is situated in Deoghar, Jharkhand. This is the most visited among the 12 Jyotirlingas in India, and also shares an association with the demon king Ravana, who propitiated Lord Shiva to make himself invincible. To please Shiva, Ravana offered his ten heads one after another. Shiva, pleased with his penance, appeared before him and healed Ravana; hence, the name Vaidyanath, meaning the “Lord of Physicians.”
| Location | Deoghar, Jharkhand |
| Timing | 4:00 AM to 3:30 PM and 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM |
| How to Reach | Deoghar Airport is the closest, approximately 7 km. Jasidih Junction is the closest railway station, approximately 10 km from the temple. |
| Nearby Attractions | Naulakha Mandir, Satsang Ashram, Tapovan Caves, Nandan Pahar. |
Mahakaleshwar – Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh
Among the twelve Jyotirlingas enshrining lord in the firm of a linga, Mahakaleshwar is located in the ancient city of Ujjain. This temple is popular in the sense that it faces south and is believed to be a Starbaa form, which is considered propitious. There are several beliefs that this temple is named after, called the ‘Mahakal’, meaning “Lord of Time,” and it is assumed to be the city’s savior from all ill. Bhasma Aarti early in the morning is a major attraction for devotees at this temple and is among the most famous 12 Jyotirlingas in India.
| Location | Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh |
| Timing | 4:00 AM to 11:00 PM |
| How to Reach | Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Airport in Indore is the nearest airport, around 55 km away. Ujjain Junction is the closest railway station. |
| Nearby Attractions | Kal Bhairav Temple, Harsiddhi Temple, Ram Ghat, Vedh Shala Observatory. |
Omkareshwar – Khandwa in Madhya Pradesh
Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga takes its name from the shape of the island where it is situated in the Narmada River, which looks like the Hindi ‘Om’. It is one of the most picturesque of the 12 Jyotirlingas in India. According to the legend, King Mandhata did great penance here, and Shiva appeared before him to bless him, thus the establishment of this Jyotirlinga occurred.
| Location | Mandhata, Khandwa, Madhya Pradesh |
| Timing | 5:00 AM to 10:00 PM |
| How to Reach | The nearest airport to the temple is Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Airport in Indore, 80 km away. The closest railhead is Omkareshwar Road Railway Station, 12 km away from the temple. |
| Nearby Attractions | Mamleshwar Temple, Siddhanath Temple, Kedareshwar Temple, Gauri Somnath Temple. |
Kashi Vishwanath – Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh
Kashi Vishwanath is among the most popular 12 Jyotirlingas in India, located in the holy city of Varanasi, is one of the most famous among the 12 Jyotirlingas in India. Literally, this temple means the ‘Lord of Light’ and is located on the western bank of the Ganges—the spiritual capital of India. Legend has it that Lord Shiva himself gave this city—Kashi—as a gift to goddess Parvati and promised to reside there eternally. The Kashi Vishwanath Temple has been a source of spiritual inspiration for many saints and sages.
| Location | Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh |
| Timing | 3:00 AM to 11:00 PM |
| How to Reach | Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport is about 26 km from Varanasi. Varanasi Junction is the nearest railway station. |
| Nearby Attractions | Dashashwamedh Ghat, Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple, Sarnath, Ramnagar Fort. |
Kedarnath – Kedarnath in Uttarakhand
The Kedarnath Jyotirlinga is located at an elevation of 3,583 meters above sea level in the Himalayas and is among the 12 Jyotirlingas in India. The temple is located amidst snow-capped peaks and on the banks of the Mandakini River—one can easily perceive the beauty of the place from its description. It is supposed that the Pandavas visited this place seeking the blessings of Shiva to get rid of their sins after the war at Kurukshetra. One gets an opportunity to visit the temple only during summer, as during the rest of the period, the climate is not so easy.
| Location | Kedarnath, Uttarakhand |
| Timing | 4:00 AM to 3:00 PM and 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM |
| How to Reach | The nearest airport is Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun, around 239 km away. Rishikesh is the closest railway station, 215 km from Kedarnath. The final 16 km to the temple is covered on foot or by pony/palanquin. |
| Nearby Attractions | Gandhi Sarovar, Bhairavnath Temple, Vasuki Tal, Sonprayag |
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Rameshwaram – Rameswaram Island in Tamil Nadu
This temple town has the emotional value that, according to legends, a Shiva Linga was put together by Lord Rama at this place to worship Lord Shiva before leaving for Lanka to redeem his kidnapped wife Sita. It is also known for its grand structure, having the longest corridor amid all Hindu temples in the country. Rameshwaram is also one of the Char Dham pilgrimage sites and among the famous 12 Jyotirlingas in India.
| Location | Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu |
| Timing | 5:00 AM to 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM |
| How to Reach | The nearest airport is Madurai Airport, which is approximately 170 km away. Rameswaram Railway Station is well-connected with major cities. |
| Nearby Attractions | Dhanushkodi, Pamban Bridge, Adam’s Bridge, Agnitheertham. |
Mallikarjuna – Srisailam In Andhra Pradesh
The Srisailam Mallikarjuna is among the popular 12 Jyotirlingas in India, and is in the middle of the natural beauties of the Nallamala hills and a great pilgrimage site for the devotees of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. It was also believed to be one among 18 Maha Shakti Peethas, a temple for Shakti worshippers. It is said that Lord Shiva bearing his consort took the forms of Mallikarjuna (Shiva) and Bhramaramba (Parvati) and reached here to live with their son, Kartikeya.
| Location | Srisailam, Andhra Pradesh |
| Timing | 4:30 AM to 10:00 PM |
| How to Reach | The nearest airport is the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad, around 202 km away. The nearest railway station is in Markapur, around 85 km from Srisailam. |
| Nearby Attractions | Srisailam Dam, Pathala Ganga, Akka Mahadevi Caves, Shikaresvara Temple. |
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Seek Blessings from 12 Jyotirlingas in India
The whole concept of the 12 Jyotirlingas in India has gone to prove one point time and again—these are not just symbols of religion but marvellous architecture. Every Jyotirlinga has both its mythology and importance. Spiritual enlightenment, solace, and the rich cultural heritage of India—all are a visit to these 12 Jyotirlingas in India. From the snowbound peaks of Kedarnath to the serene destination of Rameshwaram, each of the 12 Jyotirlingas in India spot offers a peek into the mystic and divine aspects of Hinduism. Start this divine journey, experience the grace of God—grace and blessings in divine form from Lord Shiva.