Mahashivratri 2022 is being celebrated on March 1 across India with zeal and fervour. So let’s know about 12 jyotirlingas situated in India and their sacred significance.
The Natraj, the Mahakaal, the destroyer, the ‘Tridev’ and lord Shiva… These are the names which Lord Shiva are known with and on the auspicious occasion of ‘Mahashivratri’, here’s look at the 12 Jyotirlinagas spread across India.
Somnath, Gujarat
Somnath Temple, located in Veraval, is considered as one of the most famous and revered Shiva shrines in the world as it is believed to be the first among the twelve jyotirlinga. The Shivalinga in the Somnath temple is believed to have been safely hiding within its hollowness the famous Syamantak Mani, the Philosopher’s stone, which is associated with Lord Krishna. As per legends, it was a magical stone, which was capable of producing gold. It is also believed that this stone had alchemic and radioactive properties and had the ability to create a magnetic field around itself that helped it remain floating above ground. The temple finds its reference in the most ancient texts of Hindus like Shreemad Bhagavat, Skandpuran, Shivpuran and Rig-Veda which signifies the importance of this temple as one of the most popular pilgrimage sites in India.
Nageshwar, Gujarat
This temple is located on the route between Dwarka city and Beyt Dwarka Island on the coast of Saurashtra in Gujarat .
According to the Shiva Purana, Nageshvara Jyotirlinga is in ‘the Darukavana, which is an ancient name of a forest in India. The Indian mythology further suggests that Lord Krishna used to perform rudrabhishekam.
This temple is considered as symbol of protection from all types of venom and poison.
Bhimashankar, Maharashtra
Amongst the five jyotirlinga shrines in Maharashtra, Bhimashankar Temple is located in Pune which is also the source of River Bhima in the Bhimashankar hills in Khed Taluka. It is built in the Nagara style of architecture and this temple dates back to the 18th century. While a legend says that it is believed that the ancient shrine was erected over a Swayambhu Linga or a Self Emanated Shiva Linga, the other legend says that the jyotirlinga is believed to be constructed by Bheema, the son of Kumbhakarna.
Trimbakeshwar, Nashik
Trimbakeshwar Shiva Temple located in the city of Nashik. Lying at the foothills of Brahmagiri Mountain, it is considered to be a unique jyotirlinga as the linga has three faces symbolizing Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva.
According to Shiva Purana, Lord Shiva decided to reside as Trimbakeshwar on request of the Godavari and Gautam Rishi. The Jyotirlinga is covered by a crown, which is placed over the golden mask of the three gods.
Grishneshwar, Aurangabad
Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga or Ghrneshwar Jyotirlinga or Dhushmeshwar temple finds mentioning in the Shiva Purana. Located in Aurangabad, Maharashtra, this temple is touted to be the last or twelfth Jyotirlinga (linga of light), Ghrneshwar means the ‘lord of compassion’. Built of red rock and composed of a five-tier shikhara, it is also the smallest Jyotirlinga temple of Lord Shiva in India.
Vaidyanath, Jharkhand
Baidyanath Temple or Baba Baidyanath Dham or simply Baba Dham is located in Deoghar, Jharkhand. It got its name Vaidhya meaning ‘doctor’ from the fact that Lord Shiva once cured a demon king, Ravana as he was the greatest Shiva worshipper. Millions of pilgrims visit to attend Shraavana mela here in this temple, and the Maha Shivratri is also the famous festival celebrated here.
Mahakaleshwar, Ujjain
Shri Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga is situated in the ancient city of Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh where the idol of Mahakaleshwar is known to be dakshinamurti, which means it is facing the south. One of the 12 Jyotirlingas in India, the lingam at the Mahakala is believed to be swayambhu (born of itself) which comes with currents of power shakti) from within itself. On occasion of Maha Shivratri, the Lord Shiva devotees worship whole through the night in the temple. It is believed, Shiva, the deity of time, has its blessing on the city of Ujjain.
Omkareshwar, Chandler
Lord of Om sound – Omkareshwar is another jyotirlinga of Central India. Situated in an island called Mandhata in the Narmada River in Madhya Pradesh, this temple has immense mythological significance too.
The name “Omkareshwar” is based on island’s shape, which appears to be like Om. There are two main Lord Shiva temples – first is Omkareshwar which literally means “Lord of Omkaara or the Lord of the Om Sound” and the other is, Amareshwar which stands for “Immortal lord” or “lord of the Immortals or Devas”. This is the second jyotirlinga shrine in the state of Madhya Pradesh, first being Mahakaleshwar in Ujjain.
Kashi vishwanath, UP
Kashi Vishwanath Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and the Jyotirlinga shrine is located in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. The temple standing on the banks of holy River Ganga. Vishvanatha means the ruler of The Universe. The ghats here are packed with Shiva devotees from all around the world on the occasion of Maha Shivaratri festival. As per Hindu mythology, Lord Shiva married Goddess Parvati on Mahashivratri, a day celebrated with joy and fervour. Called the holiest of Shiva temples,
Kedarnath, Uttarakhand
Kedarnath is counted amongst 4 pious dhams of India. Due to cold weather, this temple remains close for 6 months. This Jyotirling temple is the most difficult to visit by Lord Mahadev bhakts as it is located at the height of 3,583 m from Rishikesh, Uttarakhand. It is accessible only for six months a year. One of the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalams, it was built by the Pandavas and revived by Adi Sankaracharya.
Rameshwaram, Tamil Nadu
Rameshwaram Jyotirlinga is believed to be worshipped by Lord Rama. Popular as ‘Varanasi of the south’, Rameshwaram Jyotirlinga is also one of the most visited holy places in India.
The Rameswaram Jyotirlinga temple is one of the most highly worshipped and sacred pilgrimage sites in India. As per the Hindu mythology, the jyotirlingam was made by Lord Rama himself to make amends of killing Ravana, a Brahmin in the battlefield. Rama asked Hanuman to bring a lingam from Kailash, but as it was getting late, he worshipped the lingam made of sand by Sita. This Lingam worshipped by Lord Rama is known as Ramanathar. Ramanathaswamy Temple is situated at the Rameswaram Island in Tamil Nadu.
Mallikarjun, Andra Pradesh
Sri Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga Temple, located at Srisailam in Andhra Pradesh, goes by the name Mallikarjuna which is the deity of worship while Maha Shivaratri is the most important festival celebrated at Srisailam Mallikarjuna Swamy temple. As per the mythological story, Shiva and Parvati stayed in Shrishailam to remain close to his son Kartikey who had decided to stay alone on Mount Kravunja. Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga is one of the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalams which are amongst the greatest Lord Shiva temples in Asia.