12 jyotirlinga of Lord Shiva
Join Whats App Channel In India, the 12 Jyotirlinga of Lord Shiva are very sacred shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is speculated that a devotee may gain spiritual freedom by visiting the Jyotirlingas, which each represent a distinct Shiva manifestation. The literal translation of “Jyotirlinga” is “linga of light,” which denotes Shiva’s boundless nature.
Table of Contents
An extensive synopsis of each of the 12 Jyotirlinga of lord shiva is given below:
1.Somnath Jyotirlinga of Lord Shiva – Gujarat
Location: Prabhas Patan, in Saurashtra, Gujarat, close to Veraval.
Significance: Among the 12 Jyotirlinga of lord Shiva, Somnath is regarded as the first. It has a long history of being destroyed and rebuilt, signifying Shiva’s unending and unbreakable presence. It is also connected to Soma, the Moon God, who came here to worship Shiva in order to reclaim his lost brightness.
Highlights of the Temple: Offering a calm and spiritual atmosphere, the temple is located close to the Arabian Sea.
How to Locate There:
By Air: Rajkot (132 km) or Diu (63 km) are the closest airports.
The Veraval Railway Station is 7 kilometers away via train.
By Road: Gujarat’s major cities have good bus connections to this location.
1–2 days is the ideal stay.
It’s time for temple darshan and touring some of the surrounding sights, including Triveni Sangam, Bhalka Tirth, and Somnath Beach.
2.Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga of Lord Shiva – Andhra Pradesh
Location: On the banks of the Krishna River in Andhra Pradesh is Srisailam.
Significance: Being a Jyotirlinga and a Shakti Peetha, Mallikarjuna is a potent location for worshiping both Shiva and Shakti. As per history, after their son Kartikeya left Kailash, Shiva and Parvati moved here.
Highlights of the Temple: Situated in the Nallamala Hills, the temple boasts a beautiful environment and an incredibly spiritual vibe.
How to Get There:
By Air: Hyderabad (211 km) has the closest airport.
Markapur Road Railway Station (85 km) can be reached by train.
By Road: Vijayawada and Hyderabad are connected by road.
One to two days would be the ideal stay.
It’s time for darshan and a trip to Srisailam’s picturesque hills, which are close by.
3.Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga of Lord Shiva – Madhya Pradesh
Location: Madhya Pradesh’s Ujjain.
Significance: It is thought that this Jyotirlinga is special because it is a “Swayambhu” (self-manifested) linga, meaning it radiates its own power. Being the Lord of Time and Death, Mahakaleshwar is especially respected for guaranteeing his devotees’ happiness in this life as well as the next.
Highlights of the Temple: The Bhasma Aarti, a unique aarti conducted with ashes, is another reason for the temple’s fame.
How to Get There:
By Air: Airport in Indore (53 kilometers).
Train station: Ujjain Railway Station; distance: 3km.
By Road: Indore and the surrounding cities are easily accessible.
One day would be the ideal stay.
It’s time for temple darshan, including the well-known Bhasma Aarti, and touring some of the neighboring Ujjaini temples.
4. Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga of Lord Shiva – Madhya Pradesh
Location: Madhya Pradesh’s Mandhata Island on the Narmada River.
Significance: The name Omkareshwar translates to “Lord of Omkara,” or the person who stands for the cosmic “Om.” Situated atop an island resembling the holy sign Om lies the temple.
Highlights of the Temple: The serene setting of the Narmada River temple adds to the spiritual experience.
By Air: Airport in Indore (77 kilometers).
The Omkareshwar Road Railway Station is 12 km away by train.
By Road: From Khandwa, Ujjain, and Indore, buses are accessible.
One day would be the ideal stay.
It’s time for darshan and touring the nearby temples and banks of the Narmada River.
5. Kedarnath Jyotirlinga of Lord Shiva – Uttarakhand
Location: In Uttarakhand’s Garhwal Himalayan range, at Kedarnath.
Significance: Kedarnath is one of the holiest sanctuaries in Hinduism and the northernmost Jyotirlinga. It is also one of the four pilgrimage locations of Char Dham. Shiva is said to have appeared here as a Jyotirlinga when the Pandavas begged him for forgiveness for their transgressions following the Kurukshetra War.
Highlights of the Temple: The temple is inaccessible by car and is located in the snow-capped Himalayas. Due to excessive snowfall during the winter, it is closed.
How to Get There:
By Air: Dehradun’s Jolly Grant Airport (239 kilometers).
By Train: The railway station at Rishikesh (216 kilometers).
By Road: Gaurikund is the end of the motorable road network (18 km to Kedarnath).
Two to three days would be the ideal stay.
Given the difficult journey to Kedarnath and the need for acclimatization, it is recommended to stay for at least two days.
6. Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga of Lord Shiva – Maharashtra
Location: Bhorgiri, Maharashtra, close to Pune.
Significance: It is said that the establishment of this Jyotirlinga occurred when Lord Shiva vanquished the demon Tripurasura by assuming the form of Bhima. It is thought to be the Bhima River’s origin.
Highlights of the Temple: The temple’s location amid a thick woodland provides a peaceful, isolated setting for prayer.
How to Get There:
By Air: Airport in Pune (110 km).
By train: 110 kilometers to Pune Railway Station.
By Road: Mumbai and Pune have buses.
One day would be the ideal stay.
It’s time to explore the thick forest surrounding Bhimashankar and do darshan.
7. Kashi Vishwanath Jyotirlinga of Lord Shiva – Uttar Pradesh
Location: Uttar Pradesh’s Varanasi.
Significance: Kashi Vishwanath, one of the most well-known Jyotirlingas out of 12 jyotirlinga of lord shiva, is situated in Varanasi, India’s spiritual capital. The temple is thought to be the location where one can find salvation simply by hearing the name Kashi, and it is strongly linked to Moksha (freedom).
Highlights of the Temple: The sacred Ganga River runs alongside the temple, which receives millions of pilgrims each year.
How to Get There:
By Air: Varanasi’s Lal Bahadur Shastri Airport (25 km away).
By Train: 5 km to Varanasi Junction.
By Road: Buses from Lucknow and Allahabad, two adjacent cities.
One to two days would be the ideal stay.
It’s time for darshan and sightseeing in Varanasi, which includes witnessing the Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat.
8. Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga of Lord Shiva – Maharashtra
Location: Trimbak, Maharashtra, close to Nashik.
Significance: The Godavari River, regarded as one of India’s holiest rivers, is directly linked to Trimbakeshwar’s source. This Jyotirlinga is remarkable in that it has three faces, which stand for Shiva, Vishnu, and Brahma.
Highlights of the Temple: The temple is a popular destination during the 12-year-long Kumbh Mela in Nashik.
How to Get There:
By Air: Mumbai Airport (177 miles), Nashik Airport (49 km).
By Train: 28 kilometers to Nashik Road Railway Station.
By Road: Has good road connections to Mumbai and Nashik.
One day would be the ideal stay.
It’s time to visit the temple and discover where the Godavari River originates.
9. Vaidyanath Jyotirlinga of Lord Shiva – Jharkhand
Location: Deoghar, Jharkhand; according to some customs, Parli, Maharashtra, is also included.
Significance: The therapeutic and health-promoting properties of Vaidyanath Jyotirlinga are well-known among 12 jyotirlinga of lord shiva. Legend has it that Ravana, the ruler of the Lankan demons, worshipped Shiva here and sacrificed his heads. Shiva then took on the role of Vaidya, the healer, and healed him.
Highlights of the Temple: The temple is well-known for both its elaborate architecture and the volume of visitors it receives, particularly in the month of Shravan.
How to Get There:
By Air: Airport in Patna (281 kilometers).
By Train: 7 km from Deoghar Railway Station.
By Road: Buses from adjacent towns such as Patna and Ranchi.
One day would be the ideal stay.
Darshan and seeing nearby attractions like Satsang Ashram and Tapovan Caves are on schedule.
10. Nageshwar Jyotirlinga of Lord Shiva – Gujarat
Location: Gujarat, close to Dwarka.
Significance: Nageshwar stands for defense against toxins and malevolent entities. Shiva is thought to have appeared in this place to defend his followers against the monster Daruka.
Highlights of the Temple: The temple is a component of the holy Dwarka pilgrimage since it is close to the well-known Dwarkadhish Temple.
How to Get There:
By Air: Airport at Jamnagar (137 km).
Dwarka Railway Station (16 km) can be reached by train.
By Road: Dwarka, Ahmedabad, and Jamnagar buses.
One day would be the ideal stay.
Darshan and touring the Dwarka area, which includes the Dwarkadhish Temple, are on schedule.
11. Rameshwar Jyotirlinga of Lord Shiva – Tamil Nadu
Location: Tamil Nadu’s Rameswaram.
Significance: Lord Rama is strongly linked to this Jyotirlinga. After defeating Ravana, he worshipped Shiva here and begged for forgiveness. The temple has a strong connection to the Ramayana and is one of the Char Dham pilgrimage locations.
Highlights of the Temple: The temple’s 22 theerthams, or holy water tanks, which are used for ceremonial purification, and its lengthy hallways are well-known.
How to Get There:
By Air: Airport in Madurai (176 kilometers).
By Train: 2 km to Rameswaram Railway Station.
By Road: Madurai, Chennai, and other adjacent cities provide buses.
One to two days would be the ideal stay.
It’s time for darshan and a visit to some of the surrounding teerthams and attractions, like Dhanushkodi and Ram Setu.
12. Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga of Lord Shiva – Maharashtra
Location: Aurangabad, Maharashtra, next to Ellora Caves.
Significance: Regarded as the residence of divine tranquility, Grishneshwar is the final of the 12 Jyotirlinga of lord shiva. There are numerous traditions about Lord Shiva bestowing bliss and tranquility upon his devotees, making the temple a representation of marital harmony and devotion.
Highlights of the Temple: The temple is a historically significant and spiritually edifying visit because of its proximity to the Ellora Caves.
How to Get There:
By Air: 37 km to Aurangabad Airport.
By train: the 29-kilometer Aurangabad Railway Station.
By Road: Buses departing from Mumbai and Aurangabad.
One day would be the ideal stay.
Darshan and a tour to the neighboring Ellora Caves are in order.
Importance of Jyotirlingas:
Adherents of 12 Jyotirlinga of lord shiva hold that each one is a pillar of spiritual light, and that worshipping all twelve can bring about Moksha, or liberation. Every shrine represents a distinct facet of Lord Shiva’s cosmic presence and has its own historical, cultural, and spiritual significance.
Suggested Journey Time:
Short Visit: You can spend one to two days visiting each temple on a short journey; all 12 Jyotirlinga of lord shiva can be seen in 20 to 25 days, including travel time.
Extended Visit: Allow 30 to 40 days to fully explore each region, with extra time for sightseeing and leisure at each stop.
| Jyotirlinga Temple | Travel (₹) | Accommodation (₹) | Food (₹) | Miscellaneous (₹) | Total (₹) | |
| 1 | Somnath (Gujarat) | 5,000 – 8,000 | 2,000 – 3,000 | 1,600 | 1,000 | 9,600 – 13,600 |
| 2 | Mallikarjuna (AP) | 6,000 – 8,000 | 2,000 – 3,000 | 1,600 | 1,000 | 10,600 – 13,600 |
| 3 | Mahakaleshwar (MP) | 4,000 – 6,000 | 1,500 – 2,500 | 1,600 | 1,000 | 8,100 – 11,100 |
| 4 | Omkareshwar (MP) | 4,000- 6,000 | 1,500- 2,500 | 1,600 | 1,000 | 8,100- 11,600 |
| 5 | Kedarnath (Uttarakhand) | 8,000- 12,000 | 3,000- 4,000 | 2,400 | 1,500 | 14,900- 19,900 |
| 6 | Bhimashankar (Maharashtra) | 4,000- 6,000 | 2,000- 3,000 | 1,600 | 1,000 | 8,600- 11,600 |
| 7 | Kashi Vishwanath (UP) | 5,000- 7,000 | 2,000- 3,000 | 1,600 | 1,000 | 9,600- 12,600 |
| 8 | Trimbakeshwar (Maharashtra) | 4,000- 6,000 | 2,000- 3,000 | 1,600 | 1,000 | 8,600- 11,600 |
| 9 | Vaidyanath (Jharkhand) | 6,000- 8,000 | 2,000- 3,000 | 1,600 | 1,000 | 10,600- 13,600 |
| 10 | Nageshwar (Gujarat) | 5,000- 8,000 | 2,000- 3,000 | 1,600 | 1,000 | 9,600- 13,600 |
| 11 | Rameshwar (Tamil Nadu) | 6,000- 10,000 | 2,000- 3,000 | 1,600 | 1,500 | 11,100- 16,100 |
| 12 | Grishneshwar (Maharashtra) | 4,000- 6,000 | 2,000- 3,000 | 1,600 | 1,000 | 8,600- 11,600 |
