India is a land of diverse culture and religion, and it is home to many ancient temples and holy sites. One such pilgrimage site that attracts devotees from all over the world is the Jyotirlinga. Jyotirlinga is a Sanskrit word that means "the radiant sign of the almighty". There are twelve Jyotirlingas in India, and each one is considered to be a manifestation of Lord Shiva.


The 12 Jyotirlingas are spread across different parts of India, and visiting all of them is considered to be a sacred journey. The Jyotirlingas are believed to be the most powerful and divine forms of Lord Shiva, and they are revered by Hindus worldwide. Each Jyotirlinga has a unique history and significance, and visiting them is said to bring blessings and spiritual enlightenment. In this article, we will explore the twelve Jyotirlingas in India and their significance in Hindu mythology.

12 Jyotirlinga in India

Significance and Importance

Jyotirlinga refers to the 12 shrines of Lord Shiva where he appeared as a fiery column of light. These 12 Jyotirlingas are considered to be the most sacred and powerful places for the devotees of Lord Shiva. It is believed that visiting all the Jyotirlingas helps in attaining moksha (liberation from the cycle of birth and death).

Locations and Descriptions

  1. Somnath Temple - located in Gujarat, it is the first Jyotirlinga and is believed to have been built by Lord Chandra (Moon God).
  2. Mallikarjuna Temple - located in Andhra Pradesh, it is situated on the Shri Shaila Mountain and is considered to be one of the 18 Shakti Peethas.
  3. Mahakaleshwar Temple - located in Madhya Pradesh, it is situated on the banks of the Kshipra River and is believed to be the only Jyotirlinga that faces south.
  4. Omkareshwar Temple - located in Madhya Pradesh, it is situated on an island in the Narmada River and is considered to be the holiest island in India.
  5. Kedarnath Temple - located in Uttarakhand, it is situated in the Himalayas and is one of the four shrines of the Char Dham Yatra.
  6. Bhimashankar Temple - located in Maharashtra, it is situated in the Sahyadri Mountains and is believed to be the place where Lord Shiva defeated the demon Tripurasura.
  7. Kashi Vishwanath Temple - located in Uttar Pradesh, it is situated in Varanasi and is considered to be the holiest city in India.
  8. Trimbakeshwar Temple - located in Maharashtra, it is situated on the banks of the Godavari River and is believed to be the place where Lord Shiva released the holy river Godavari from his matted locks.
  9. Vaidyanath Temple - located in Jharkhand, it is situated in Deoghar and is believed to be the place where Lord Shiva cured Ravana of his ailments.
  10. Nageshwar Temple - located in Gujarat, it is situated near Dwarka and is believed to be the place where Lord Shiva defeated the demon Daaruka.
  11. Rameshwaram Temple - located in Tamil Nadu, it is situated on the Rameshwaram Island and is believed to be the place where Lord Rama worshipped Lord Shiva before crossing the sea to Lanka.
  12. Grishneshwar Temple - located in Maharashtra, it is situated near the Ellora Caves and is believed to be the place where Lord Shiva appeared in the form of a Jyotirlinga to cure the illness of a devotee.

These Jyotirlingas are not just places of worship, but also architectural marvels that showcase the rich cultural heritage of India. Millions of devotees visit these shrines every year to seek the blessings of Lord Shiva.

Pilgrimage and Worship Practices

Visiting the 12 Jyotirlingas is considered a sacred pilgrimage for Hindus. Devotees believe that visiting these holy sites and offering prayers can help them attain moksha, or liberation from the cycle of birth and death.

Each Jyotirlinga has its own unique worship practices and rituals. However, most pilgrims follow a similar pattern of worship. They first take a dip in the nearby holy river or pond to purify themselves. Then, they offer prayers and perform aarti (a Hindu religious ritual of worship) to the Jyotirlinga. After this, they offer flowers, fruits, and other offerings to the deity.

Some Jyotirlingas have additional rituals and practices associated with them. For example, at the Kedarnath Jyotirlinga, pilgrims must trek through the Himalayas to reach the temple. At the Somnath Jyotirlinga, devotees perform a special aarti called the Rudrabhishekam, which is believed to have great spiritual significance.

Overall, visiting the 12 Jyotirlingas is a deeply spiritual experience for Hindus. It allows them to connect with their faith and seek blessings from the divine.