Exploring the Divine: Unveiling the Mystical 12 Jyotirlingas of India

The 12 Jyotirlingas are a sacred set of twelve sanctuaries devoted to Lord Shiva, one of the top divinities in Hinduism. Jyotirlinga translates to” the radiant sign of the Almighty.” These sanctuaries are considered largely significant passage destinations for addicts of Lord Shiva. Each Jyotirlinga is believed to be an incarnation of Lord Shiva himself, and visiting all twelve Jyotirlingas is considered to be veritably auspicious in Hindu tradition. The locales of these Jyotirlingas are spread across different corridors of India. 

12 Jyotirlingas In India 

From planning your visit to providing security, this 12 Jyotirlinga list can be of immense help. Below is a list of 12 Jyotirlinga with names and place 

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 

Jyotirlingas In  India  

1. Somnath Jyothirlinga- Somnath In Gujarat 

It is one of the most precious Jyotirlingas in India. Somnath Temple is regarded as the first among the twelve jyotirlingas and one of the most worshipped passage spots in the country. The temple armature resembles Chalukya style and Lord Shiva is believed to have appeared in this sanctum, as a sizzling column of light. According to Shiv Purana, Moon married 27 daughters of Dakshin Prajapati.

But Moon was cursed by Prajapati for neglecting all his women except one; Rohini. In order to get relieved of the curse and recapture his lost luster and beauty, he worshipped Lord Shiva. The almighty granted his want and abided then as Somnath eternally. Located in the Kathiawad region, the Somnath jyotirlinga was destroyed and rebuilt nearly sixteen times. There’s no mistrustfulness in the fact that this temple comes on the top in the 12 Jyotirlingas ’ list and this jyotirlinga in Gujarat is a crucial corner for trippers.

Temple opening hours: Every day temple is open from 6 AM to 9 PM. Somnath Mandir Aarti takes place at 7 AM, 12 noon, and 7 PM. The notorious light and sound show; ‘ Joy Somnath ’ takes place every day between 8 to 9 in the evening.  

2. Nageshwar – Daarukavanam In Gujarat 

Nageshwar Jyotirlinga is situated on the seabank Saurashtra in Gujarat, between Gomti Dwarka and Bait Dwarka, It is one of the most popular Jyothirlinga in India. Thousands of addicts visit the temple of Nagnath, around the time, to seek blessings from the holy sanctum of Nageshwar Mahadev located in an underground sanctum. The 25-m altitudinous statue of Lord Shiva, a large theater, and unstopped views of the azure Arabian ocean, fascinate the callers. This is one of the most important Jyotirlingas in India, which symbolizes the protection of all types of venoms. 

Temple opening hours: Temple is open from 5 AM to 9 PM, on all days of the week. Addicts can go for darshan between 6 AM to 1230 PM and 5 PM to 9 pm. 

3. Bhimashankar – Pune In Maharashtra  

On the riverside Bhima, lies the Bhimashankar Temple – a marvelous black gravestone structure with Nagara architectural pattern. girdled by the wildlife sanctuary of the same name, this Jyotirlinga in Maharashtra is believed to have been erected by Bhima, the son of Kumbhakarna. 

A huge number of pilgrims visit this sanctum, around the time, especially during Maha Shivratri. Addicts visiting Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga, also see the Kamalaja temple- a manifestation of Parvati, located nearby.  

Temple opening hours: Temple darshan starts from 4:30 AM to 12 noon and 4 PM to 9:30 PM on all days. In the autumn, during Madhyan Aarti, darshan is closed for 45 minutes.

4. Trimbakeshwar – Nashik In Maharashtra 

Trimbakeshwar temple‘s position is at the source of the Godavari River, which is one of the major rivers in India and holds great significance in Hindu culture. According to the Shiva Purana, the river Godavari and the sage Gautami argued that then Lord Shiva lived, and hence Lord Trimbakeshwar appeared as Jyotirlinga. The most attractive part of this jyotirlinga is its shape. rather than a sanctum, there’s a void with three pillars placed outside. The three pillars represent the three most important and authoritative Gods, videlicet, Brahma, Vishnu, and Maheshwar. 

Temple opening hours:  Temple opens from 5:30 AM to 9 PM, all days of the week. 

5. Grishneshwar – Aurangabad In Maharashtra

With an emotional red gemstone 5 fabled Shikhara style structure, busts of Gods and Goddesses, and a huge Nandi Bull in the main court hall, the Grishneshwar temple is one of the 12 jyotirlingas of Shiva Purana, located near the grottoes of Ajanta and Ellora. Built by Ahilyabai Holkar, this Ghrishneshwar Jyotirlinga is also known as Gru Someshwar and Kusum Ishwar. The form of Vishnu’s Dashavatar, sculpted on red gemstone is immensely emotional and fascinates each and every caller. This is also one of the stylish places to visit in Aurangabad. 

Temple opening hours: Visit the temple between 5:30 am to 9:30 pm for temple darshan and worship. During Shravan, darshan takes place between 3 pm to 11 pm. Generally, darshan takes about a couple of hours. During the month of Shravan, there is a heavy rush here and it takes around 6 to 8 hours to complete the darshan. 

6. Vaidyanath – Deoghar In Jharkhand 

A largely deified jyotirlinga among the 12 Jyotirlinga names in the country, Vaidyanath or Baidyanath or Vaijinath is also one among the 52 Shakti pethas sanctuaries of Sati of the Hindu religion. Mythological stories believe that Ravana hallowed Shiva for times and invited Shiva to Lanka. Shiva showed up as Shivalinga and ordered Ravana not to put down anywhere until he reaches Lanka. It’s a popular Jyotirling in India. 

Vishnu intruded Ravana in between and told him to keep the Shiva linga at rest occasionally. therefore, Ravana defied Shiva, and since also he resides as Vaidyanath jyotirlinga, then in Deoghar. The month of Shravana receives maximum footfall then as people believe worshipping this sanctum of Shiva will help them to get relieved of all miseries and attain moksha and deliverance. 

Temple Opening hours: The temple remains open from 4:00 AM to 3:30 PM and 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM on all seven days.

7. Omkareshwar – Khandwa In Madhya Pradesh  

Omkareshwar rephrased as ‘ Lord of the Om Sound ’, is one of the most sacred places in India. This Omkareshwar temple situated on the island named Shivpuri on the river Narmada has a lot of mythological significance. People believe that formerly there was a war between Devas and Danavas, and the devas supplicated to Lord Shiva for palm. Satisfied with the prayer, Lord Shiva appeared as Omkareshwar and helped the devas to achieve triumph over the immoralities, making it one of the most popular among the 12 jyotirlingas in India. 

Temple opening hours: Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga opens on all days from 5 AM to 10 PM. Pilgrims can visit the temple between 5:30 AM to 12:20 PM and 4 PM to 8:30 PM. 

8. Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga-  Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh 

Mahakaleshwar Ujjain is another Jyotirling in India with immense spiritual significance. The sanctum sanctorum of the Mahakaleshwar temple was founded by a five-year-old boy, Shrikar, who was inspired by the devotion of King Chandrasena of Ujjain. Located by the banks of the Kshipra River, Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga is also among the seven mukti- sthal in India; the place that can liberate a mortal being to eternity. 

Temple opening hours: 4 AM to 11 PM. Pilgrims can visit from 8 AM to 10 AM, 10:30 AM to 5 PM, 6 PM to 7 PM, and 8 PM to 11 PM.

9. Kashi Vishwanath – Varanasi In Uttar Pradesh 

Kashi Vishwanath Temple is a popular temple in the list of Jyotirlinga temples. Built-in 1780 by the Maratha emperor Maharani Ahilyabai Holkar, this Jyotirlinga is an important religious place for Hindus. Addicts believe that Lord Shiva abided by them and offered emancipation and happiness to all. It’s also considered one of the first Jyotirlingas in the country which showcased its power over other Gods, broke through Earth’s face, and moved towards heaven. It is one of the most sought-after 12 Jyotirlingas in India.

Temple opening hours: Kashi Vishwanath temple opens daily from 2:30 AM to 11 PM. 

10. Kedarnath – Kedarnath In Uttarakhand

Situated in the Rudra Himalayan Range, at an altitude of 1200 bases, Kedarnath Jyotirlinga is also considered one of the Chardham of the Hindu religion. Due to extremely cold rainfall and snowfall, the temple remains unrestricted for 6 months during downtime and is open only from May to June. Pilgrims visiting Kedarnath first go to Gangotri and Yamunotri to collect holy water, which they offer to the Kedarnath Shiva Linga. 

People believe that visiting the Kedarnath temple and taking a bath in the Jyotirlinga can provide relief from all sorrows, misfortunes, and misfortunes. Touring up to Kedarnath is relatively delicate and people use walking sticks or ride on mules or dolls. The Samadhi of Shankaracharya the notorious Hindu saint is located just behind the main Kedarnath temple. 

Temple opening hours:  People can visit the temple between 4 AM to 12 PM and 3 PM to 9 PM.

11. Rameshwaram Jyotirlinga – Rameswaram In Tamil Nadu

It is believed that the Rameshwaram Temple was worshiped by Lord Rama, because of his wonderful palm on Ravana. Known as the southernmost jyotirlingas in the country, the temple is girdled by the ocean and boasts of its beautiful armature, decorated corridors, and 36 Cheetham. 

Rameshwaram Temple is also one of the most visited holy places in India, which is reached through Madurai in Tamil Nadu. Addicts visiting this jyotirlinga, also visit Dhanushkodi sand, from where Lord Rama had erected Ram Setu up to Lanka, to save his woman. 

Temple opening hours: People can visit between 5 AM to 1 PM and 3 PM to 9 PM. Darshan is permitted till 8 PM.  

12. Mallikarjuna – Srisailam In Andhra Pradesh  

Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga is situated on the top of Sri Shaila mountain on the banks of river Krishna. With beautiful armor and puppets, decorated pillars known as gopurams and mukha mandapa halls, Mallikarjuna Temple enshrines the divinities of Shiva and Bhramaramba or Parvati and is listed as one of the 52 Shakti Peethas of Sati Has gone. Mallikarjuna jyotirlinga is irrefutable, one of the topmost Shaivite sanctuaries of the country. 

Temple opening hours: The temple is open every day from 4:30 am to 10 pm. Darshan takes place between 6:30 am to 1 pm and 6:30 pm to 9 pm.