The 12 Sacred Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva
According to Hindu tradition, these 12 shrines are manifestations of Lord Shiva’s infinite, pillar-like light (Jyotirlinga). Pilgrimage to these sites is considered one of the most powerful spiritual journeys in India.
| # | Jyotirlinga | Location | State | Special Significance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Somnath Jyotirlinga | Prabhas Patan, Gir Somnath | Gujarat | First among the 12 Jyotirlingas; symbolizes the eternal nature of Shiva. |
| 2 | Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga | Srisailam | Andhra Pradesh | Situated on Shri Shaila Mountain by the Krishna River; associated with Parvati and Kartikeya. |
| 3 | Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga | Ujjain | Madhya Pradesh | The only south-facing Jyotirlinga; famous for the Bhasma Aarti. |
| 4 | Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga | Mandhata Island, Khandwa | Madhya Pradesh | Located on an island shaped like the sacred "Om" symbol. |
| 5 | Kedarnath Jyotirlinga | Kedarnath | Uttarakhand | High in the Himalayas; accessible only during summer. |
| 6 | Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga | Pune | Maharashtra | Origin of the Bhima River; surrounded by lush forests. |
| 7 | Kashi Vishwanath Jyotirlinga | Varanasi | Uttar Pradesh | One of the most visited temples; believed to grant liberation (Moksha). |
| 8 | Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga | Trimbak, Nashik | Maharashtra | Source of the Godavari River; unique for its three-faced lingam. |
| 9 | Vaidyanath Jyotirlinga | Deoghar | Jharkhand | Known as the "Doctor" form of Shiva; believed to heal ailments. |
| 10 | Nageshwar Jyotirlinga | Dwarka | Gujarat | Protects devotees from all poisons and negativity. |
| 11 | Ramanathaswamy Jyotirlinga | Rameswaram | Tamil Nadu | Associated with Lord Rama; famous for its long temple corridors. |
| 12 | Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga | Ellora | Maharashtra | The smallest of the 12 Jyotirlingas; near the Ellora Caves. |