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Originally it was believed that there are 64 jyotirlinga and 12 of them are considered to be very auspicious and holy. Each of the twelve jyotirlinga sites take the name of the presiding deity – each considered different manifestation of Shiva. At all these sites, the primary image is lingam representing the beginning-less and endless Stambha pillar, symbolizing the infinite nature of Shiva. These Twelve 12 Jyotirlinga dedicated to Lord Eshwara in the form of Shiva Lingas. These temples are situated across India and are considered very sacred by Hindus. There is a belief that, all these 12 Jyotirlinga are to be visited in the month of November-December (Kartika Masam).
It is believed that Shiva first manifested himself as a Jyotirlinga on the night of the Aridra Nakshatra, thus the special reverence for the Jyotirlinga. There is nothing to distinguish the appearance, but it is believed that a person can see these lingas as columns of fire piercing through the earth after he reaches a higher level of spiritual attainment.
The Puranas vociferously sing the praises of the greatness of the Jyotirlinga. By reciting the name of this, one can eliminate all the sins. The Sadhaka becomes calm, chaste and pure. He becomes illuminated and enlightened with supreme and divine knowledge.
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Below are brief details of each Jyotirlinga according to the importance described in various scriptures:
One who recites these 12 names regularly in the morning and evening he washes all the sins committed in the previous 7 births and attains all the powers and Siddhis.
Saurashtra Somnatham Cha Shrishaile Mallikarjunam ||Ujjainyam Mahakalomkare Mammaleshwaram ||Parlyam Vaijnatham Cha Dakinyam Bheem Shankaram ||Setu Bandhe Tu Ramesham Nagesham Daruka Vane ||Varanasya Tu Vishwesham Tribakam Gautamitate ||Himalaye Tu Kedaram Ghurmesham Cha Shivalaye ||Aetani Jyotirlingani Sayam Prataha Pathennaraha ||Sapta Janma Kritam Papam Smaranen Vinashyati ||
1. Somnath Temple in Gujarat
Somnath Temple Jyotirlinga is situated at Somnath Patan (the south coast of Saurashtra), near Veraval in (Prabhas Kshetra) Kathaiwad district in Gujarat. Somnath is considered to be the first of the 12 Jyotirlinga of Shiva and is a revered pilgrimage center in India. This is one of the most sacred among 12 Jyotirlinga To Visit In India.
2. Mallikarjun Temple in Andhra Pradesh
Srisailam new Kurnool enshrines Mallikarjuna in an ancient temple rich in architectural and sculptural wealth. Mallikarjun Temple is situated on Shri Shaila Mountain by the banks of the Patal Ganga, Krishna River in the southern state of Andhra Pradesh. Also known as Kailash of the South. Every year there is a fair organized on account of Mahashivratri and crores of devotees visit this place and makes on of the most visited places among among 12 Jyotirlinga To Visit In India.
3. Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain Madhya Pradesh
The Lingam at Mahakal is believed to be Swayambhu, the only one of the 12 Jyotirlinga to be so. It is also the only one facing South and also the temple to have a Shree Yantra perched upside down at the ceiling of the Garbha Graha (where the Shiv Lingam sits). Mahakaleshwara Temple is located near the banks of river Kshipra, in the dense Mahakal forests in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh. It is an important Shaivaite pilgrimage centre in North India and is revered as one of the 12 Jyotilinga manifestations of Shiva.
Mahakaleshwara Temple in Ujjain is regarded amongst the seven holy places that can liberate a human. The other six Mukti-Sthal being Ayodhya, Mathura, Haridwar, Benares, Kanchipuram and Dwarka. Kumbh Mela is organized on the banks of the Kshipra River consider it important to seek blessings of Lord Mahakaleshwar. This is the most popular Jyotirlingas among 12 Jyotirlinga in central India.
4. Omkareshwar and Mamleshwar Temple in Madhya Pradesh
Omkareshwar, an island in the course of the river Narmada in Madhya Pradesh situated around 77 KM from Indore city, is home to the Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga shrine and the Amareshwar temple. It is on an island called Mandhata or Shivapuri in the Narmada river; the shape of the island is said to be like the Hindu symbol “Om”. There are two temples here, one to Omkareshwar (whose name means “Lord of Omkaara or the Lord of the Om Sound”) and one to Amareshwar (whose name means “Immortal lord” or “lord of the Immortals or Devas”). These are the most popular Jyotirlingas among 12 Jyotirlinga in central India after Mahakaleshwar temple.
5. Baidyanath Temple in Jharkhand
Baidyanath Temple, also called Vaijnath Temple or Baidyanth-Dham Temple is located at Deogarh in the Santal Parganas region of Jharkhand in the south west of Keeul Station. Baidyanath shrine is revered as one of the twelve Jyotirlinga of Shiva. It may be noted that some schools of thought believe Vaidyanath near Parali in Andhra Pradesh to be the Vaidyanatha Jyotirlinga.
It is one of the most visited place among 12 Jyotirlinga in central India.
6. Bhimsankar Temple in Maharashtra
Bhimsankar is located in the Sahyadri hills of Maharashtra, accessed from Pune. In the Sahyadri range of Maharashtra, contains a Jyotirlinga shrine associated with Shiva destroying the demon Tripurasura. There is also a Bhimashankara temple at Kashipurnear Nainital, which was referred to as Daakini country in ancient days. The other Jyotirlinga shrines in Maharashtra are Tryambakeshwar and Grishneshwar.
7. Rameshwaram Temple in Tamilnadu
Rameshwaram in Tamil Nadu is home to the vast Ramalingeswaram Jyotirlinga temple and is revered as the southernmost of the twelve Jyotirlinga shrines of India. It enshrines the Ramesvara (“Lord of Rama”) pillar. Rameshwaram Temple is situated in the island of Rameswaram, off the Sethu coast of Tamil Nadu and is reached via the Pamban Bridge across the sea. The huge temple is known for its long ornate corridors, towers and 36 teerthams.
Rameshwaram Jyotirlinga represents the southernmost of the 12 Jyotirlinga of India and has been a time honored pilgrimage center held on par with Banaras. Rameshwaram Temple Jyotirlinga is associated closely with the Ramayana and Rama’s victorious return from Sri Lanka.
8. Nageshwar Temple in Dwarka, Gujrat
Nageshwar Temple or Nagnath Temple is located on the route between Gomati Dwarka and the Bait Dwarka Island on the coast of Saurashtra in Gujarat. The Jyotirlinga enshrined in the Temple of Nagnath is known as Nageshwar Mahadev and attracts thousands of pilgrims all round the year. This powerful Jyotirlinga symbolizes protection from all poisons. It is said that those who pray to the Nageshwar Linga become free of poison.
9. Vishwanath temple in Banaras, Uttar Pradesh
Vishwanath Temple is located amidst the crowded lanes in the holy city of Varanasi also known as Kashi and Banaras. The Vishwanath Temple enshrines one of the twelve Jyotirlinga of Lord Shiva and is one of the most revered pilgrimage sites for Hindus. This is the most popular Jyotirlingas among 12 Jyotirlinga To Visit In India in northern region.
10. Trimbakeshwar Temple in Nasik, Maharashtra
The origin of the river Godavari is intimately linked with this Jyotirlinga shrine near Nasik in Maharashtra. Shri Trimbakeshwar Temple is located at a distance of about 30-km from Nasik in Maharashtra near the mountain named Brahmagiri from which the river Godavari flows. Trimbakeshwar Temple is revered as one of the 12 Jyotirlinga shrines of Shiva and as the source of the river Godavari. Trimbakeshwar (one of the 12 Jyotirlinga) is one, which fulfills everyone’s desires. Due to all this, this is one of the most popular Jyotirlingas among 12 Jyotirlinga in Maharashtra state in India.
11. Kedarnath Temple in Himalaya, Uttrakhand
One of the holiest pilgrimages for the Hindus, Kedarnath Temple Jyotirlinga is located in the picturesque surroundings of Rudra Himalaya Range at a height of 12000 feet on a mountain named Kedar. Near Kedarnath is the source of the river Mandakini that joins Alakananda at Rudraprayag. This place is approximately 150 miles away from Hardwar and 132 miles north of Hrishikesh and is accessible by foot.
The temple at Kedarnath enshrining the Jyotirlinga of Shiva opens only 6 months a year (April-November) when the sun enters the zodiac sign of Aries and it is closed when the sun enters Scorpio. The priests then go to Ukhimath, where the worship of Kedareshwara is continued during the winter season.
The traditional pilgrim route is Haridwar – Rishikesh – Devaprayag – Tehri – Dharasu – Yamunotri – Uttar Kashi – Gangotri – Triyugnarayan – Gowrikund and Kedarnath. The alternative route to Kedar from Rishikesh is via Devprayag, Srinagar, Rudraprayag and Ukhimath.
Sankaracharya is closely associated with Kedarnath and this is one of the most popular Jyotirlinga among 12 Jyotirlinga in north India in Himalayan regions. You can also refer top 10 places to visit in Uttarakhand.
12. Ghrishneshwar Temple in Aurangabad, Maharashtra
Grishneshwar Temple is an ancient pilgrimage site revered as the abode of one of the 12 Jyotirlinga manifestation of Lord Shiva. The Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga shrine is located at a village called Verul, which lies 20 km from Daulatabad (near Aurangabad in Maharashtra) and approximately 100 kms from Manmad station. Located close to Daulatabad (once known as Devagiri) is the popular tourist attractions Ajanta – Ellora.
This is among the top crowded spot among 12 Jyotirlinga in Maharashtra.
Image credit- Canva
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