The 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva are revered shrines where Lord Shiva is worshipped in the form of a Jyotirlinga, meaning a pillar of light. According to Hindu scriptures, these are not ordinary idols but spiritual manifestations of Shiva’s infinite nature. The word Jyoti means light and linga symbolizes the formless aspect of Lord Shiva. Thus, a Jyotirlinga represents Shiva in his purest, most powerful form — unbounded by time or space.

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It is believed that these 12 locations were chosen because Lord Shiva appeared at each site as a luminous column of light, signifying his omnipresence and transcendental energy. These shrines are spread across India — from Kedarnath in the Himalayas to Rameshwaram in the south — each carrying deep mythological and spiritual significance.

Pilgrimage to all 12 Jyotirlingas, known as Dwadasa Jyotirlinga Yatra, is considered one of the holiest journeys in Hinduism. Devotees believe that darshan of all twelve bestows blessings, removes past sins, and leads the soul toward moksha — liberation from the cycle of birth and death.

The 12 Jyotirlingas are sacred shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva, where he is worshipped in the form of a Jyotirlinga – a radiant column of divine light. According to Hindu beliefs, visiting all 12 Jyotirlingas helps attain spiritual liberation (moksha).

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List of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Shiva:

S.No	Name of Jyotirlinga	Location	State
1	Somnath	Prabhas Patan, Veraval	Gujarat
2	Mallikarjuna	Srisailam	Andhra Pradesh
3	Mahakaleshwar	Ujjain	Madhya Pradesh
4	Omkareshwar	Mandhata Island, Narmada River	Madhya Pradesh
5	Kedarnath	Kedarnath (Garhwal Himalayas)	Uttarakhand
6	Bhimashankar	Pune district	Maharashtra
7	Kashi Vishwanath	Varanasi	Uttar Pradesh
8	Trimbakeshwar	Nashik	Maharashtra
9	Vaidyanath (Baidyanath)	Deoghar	Jharkhand
10	Nageshwar	Near Dwarka	Gujarat
11	Ramanathaswamy	Rameswaram	Tamil Nadu
12	Grishneshwar	Ellora, near Aurangabad	Maharashtra

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Here is a detailed description of each of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva, including their location, mythological significance, and special features:

1. Somnath Jyotirlinga – Gujarat

• Location: Prabhas Patan near Veraval, Saurashtra, Gujarat
• Significance: Considered the first and most sacred Jyotirlinga.
• Legend: The moon god (Chandra) was cursed by his father-in-law. He worshipped Lord Shiva here to regain his radiance.
• Special Note: Destroyed and rebuilt several times, Somnath stands as a symbol of resilience and devotion.

2. Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga – Andhra Pradesh

• Location: Srisailam, Andhra Pradesh
• Significance: Represents Shiva and Parvati in united form.
• Legend: Lord Shiva and Parvati came here to console their son Kartikeya, who had chosen to live alone in the south.
• Special Note: Situated on a picturesque hill, it’s also one of the 18 Shakti Peethas.

3. Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga – Madhya Pradesh

• Location: Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh
• Significance: The only south-facing (Dakshinamukhi) Jyotirlinga.
• Legend: Lord Shiva appeared as Mahakal to protect his devotee from a demon and stayed here eternally.
• Special Note: Famous for its unique Bhasma Aarti performed with sacred ash.

4. Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga – Madhya Pradesh

• Location: Mandhata Island, Narmada River
• Significance: Island shaped like the sacred ‘Om’ symbol.
• Legend: Lord Shiva appeared as Omkareshwar after a fierce battle between Devas and Danavas.
• Special Note: Two temples here – Omkareshwar and Amaleshwar – are often worshipped together.

5. Kedarnath Jyotirlinga – Uttarakhand

• Location: Kedarnath, Garhwal Himalayas
• Significance: One of the holiest pilgrimages and part of the Char Dham Yatra.
• Legend: Pandavas built this temple to seek Shiva’s blessings for atonement after the Kurukshetra war.
• Special Note: Accessible only for six months due to heavy snowfall.

6. Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga – Maharashtra

• Location: Pune District, Maharashtra
• Significance: Source of the Bhima River.
• Legend: Shiva took the form of Bhimashankar to defeat the demon Tripurasura.
• Special Note: Surrounded by dense forest; also a wildlife sanctuary.

7. Kashi Vishwanath Jyotirlinga – Uttar Pradesh

• Location: Varanasi (Kashi), Uttar Pradesh
• Significance: Most revered Shiva temple, situated on the banks of the Ganga.
• Legend: Lord Shiva declares Kashi as his eternal abode, promising liberation to those who die here.
• Special Note: Recently renovated under the Kashi Corridor project.

8. Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga – Maharashtra

• Location: Trimbak, Nashik
• Significance: Source of the sacred Godavari River.
• Legend: Lord Shiva resides here to protect the holy river and grant salvation.
• Special Note: The only Jyotirlinga with a triple-faced linga representing Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva.

9. Vaidyanath (Baidyanath) Jyotirlinga – Jharkhand

• Location: Deoghar, Jharkhand (Some consider Parli, Maharashtra as the location too)
• Significance: Known as the “Doctor of Gods” (Vaidya).
• Legend: Ravana worshipped Shiva here to gain immortality. After getting the linga, he dropped it here, and it became immovable.
• Special Note: Pilgrims offer holy water from Sultanganj walking barefoot for Shrawan Mela.

10. Nageshwar Jyotirlinga – Gujarat

• Location: Near Dwarka, Gujarat
• Significance: Protects devotees from poison and evil.
• Legend: A devotee Supriya was saved by Shiva from a demon named Daruka.
• Special Note: The massive Shiva statue at the site is a highlight.

11. Ramanathaswamy Jyotirlinga – Tamil Nadu

• Location: Rameswaram Island, Tamil Nadu
• Significance: Connected with the Ramayana.
• Legend: Lord Rama built a Shiva lingam here to seek forgiveness for killing Ravana, a Brahmin.
• Special Note: Home to the longest temple corridor in India.

12. Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga – Maharashtra

• Location: Ellora, near Aurangabad
• Significance: The last and smallest Jyotirlinga.
• Legend: Shiva appeared to a devoted woman named Kusuma who worshipped him despite societal resistance.
• Special Note: Very close to the famous Ellora Caves, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The 12 Jyotirlingas are more than religious destinations; they are powerful spiritual centers that have inspired millions over centuries. If you’re planning a pilgrimage, let your journey be guided by faith and preparation. Every step toward these holy sites is a step closer to inner harmony and Shiva’s blessings.

Har Har Mahadev