12 Jyotirlingas in India – A Complete Travel & Devotional Guide
Travelling to the holiest spiritual sites in India is incomplete without visiting the 12 Jyotirlinga spread across the Indian subcontinent. Travel with us around each of the Shrines virtually, so that you can plan out your journey well in advance. Millions of travellers from around the world visit these holy temples yearly and seek blessings from Lord Shiva. Therefore, this blog helps you identify the best way to start the Dwadash Jyotirlinga Yatra with your loved ones. This trip will not only be a spiritual journey for most of you, but it will also allow you to learn about the diversity of Indian topography. Enjoy exploring the ancient city of Varanasi, snowy mountain ranges in Kedarnath or near a beautiful coast in Rameswaram. We have also included 12 Jyotirlinga in India on a map to ensure you can plan your journey effectively. So pack your bags and embark on a spiritual journey like never before!
Why do People Worship Shiva Linga or the Jyotirlingas?
According to the Indian belief system, God is omnipresent, which implies that God exists everywhere, in trees, animals, rivers, air and even the soil (or rock). Hence, the traditions of practising spirituality with a stone/wood carved or clay moulded idol have been going on for centuries in the Indian subcontinent. In addition, this also helps in focusing and transcending their consciousness on a fixed representation of Lord Shiva in a shaped, yet shapeless idol. Moreover, the temples are considered a focal point of energy centres that foster meditation and spiritual growth. Hence, people worship a Shivalinga as it depicts the formless and limitless nature of Lord Shiva.
But first, it is important to learn the basic difference between a Shivalinga and a Jyotirlinga. Are they the same, or are they different?
Jyotirlingas vs Shivlings
Has this question occurred in your mind concerning the difference between a normal Shivling and a Jyotirlinga? Let’s learn in detail.
Shiva Lingas are basically self-occurring or man-made idols of Lord Shiva in the shape of an ovoid or cylindrical form that represent the embodiment of Lord Shiva. The Shiva Linga is placed on an elevated platform, representing the Yoni, which symbolises Mother Nature in the form of Goddess Parvati, the wife of Lord Shiva. Hence, this combined Shiva Lingam represents the blend of masculinity and femininity, the beginning and the end, as well as the eternal cycle of the universe.
On the other hand, a Jyotirlinga is a self-manifestation of Lord Shiva in the form of Shivalingam. There are only twelve Jyotirlingas that are considered the most revered and holiest that appeared for some reason. These locations are celebrated as the top religious pilgrimage sites in India, which hold significant value in the culture of the country. People from not only India, but from across the world, come to witness the strength of these Jyotirlingas and their cities. While all the Jyotirlingas can be considered as Shivlings, all the Shiva Lingas cannot be considered as Jyotirlingas.
While the worship of normal Shiva Lingas can be considered as a personal connection with Lord Shiva, which is present in homes, temples and below certain trees, the worship of Jyotirlingas are treated as a religious pilgrimage where travelling is considered to wash away all the sins and making the soul free from the eternal cycle of life and death.
The 12 Jyotirlingas and Their Importance in India
There are many legends behind the occurrences and establishment of these Jyotirlingas, which may vary from folklore to the official citations in the Vedic and Puranic inscriptions. Hence, we have tried to bring out more reliable and popular stories behind these 12 names of Jyotirlinga to improve your knowledge regarding these holy sites. Get ready to explore and feel the divine aura on your Dwadash Jyotirlinga Yatra with the following list of Jyotirlingas in India.
1. Shree Somnath – Gir Somnath in Gujarat
Darshan Timing:
6:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Aarti Timing:
Morning Aarti: 7:00 AM
Noon Aarti: 12:00 PM
Evening Aarti: 7:00 PM
Light and Sound Show: 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM (Except rain)
How to Reach?
- By Road: Excellent Road Connectivity. Direct Buses and local vehicles – Public and Private Transport Available
- Nearest Railway Station: Somnath Railway Station, 1.5 km away from the Temple
- Nearest Airport: Diu Airport, 85 km away from the Temple
- Nearest Major Cities: Diu (60 km), Veraval (7 km), and Junagarh (60 km)
Legend/History:
The story describes the curse of the moon God, which diminished his lustre. As a result of the Moon’s prayers to Lord Shiva, his wish was fulfilled, which restored his light and beauty from a bright Jyotirlinga. Therefore, it is known as the Somnath Jyotirlinga.
Even though the Temple has been destroyed and looted multiple times by multiple invaders, especially by Mahmud of Ghazni around 1000 years ago, the shrine has also been rebuilt to restore the lost culture. Hence, the temple is an example to promote resilience and endurance of faith in life and God. You can bring your family and friends here and learn more about the lost culture, pride and history of ancient India.
2. Mallikarjuna – Srisailam in Andhra Pradesh
Darshan Timing:
5:00 AM – 4:30 PM
5:20 PM – 10:00 PM
Aarti Timing:
Morning: From 05:15 AM
Evening: From 06:00 PM
How to Reach?
- By Road: Excellent Road Connectivity. Direct Buses and local vehicles – Public and Private Transport Available
- Nearest Railway Station: Markapur Railway Station, 85 km from the Temple
- Nearest Airport: Hyderabad Airport, 140 km from the Temple
- Nearest Major City: Hyderabad (220 km)
Legend/History:
The story goes back to when Lord Shiva and Parvati asked their sons to compete against each other of who is the fastest. Upon Kartikeya’s defeat, he left in agony for Srisailam, where Lord Shiva and Parvati appeased him. Hence, this site symbolises love for children and devotees come here every year to seek blessings for a happy family life.
Interestingly, this is also the only Jyotirlinga which co-exists with one of the 18 Shakti Peethas, which is another depiction of the co-existence of Lord Shiva and Shakti in their divine forms. It is also believed to be the place where Lord Shiva and Parvati married, which also makes this one of the top pilgrimage destinations, symbolising divine union, spirituality and everlasting togetherness for couples.
On your trip to Mallikarjuna Temple, you can witness the North and South Indian architectural styles with intricate carvings and sculptures beautifying the Temple premises. In addition, you can visit the top tourist attractions in the Srisailam region.
3. Shree Mahakaleshwar – Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh
Darshan Timing:
4:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Aarti Timing:
- Morning Aarti: 4:00 AM
- Naivedya Aarti: 7:30 PM
- Evening Aarti: 5:00 PM
How to Reach?
- By Road: Excellent Road Connectivity. Direct Buses and local vehicles – Public and Private Transport Available
- Nearest Railway Station: Ujjain Railway Station, 2 km from the Temple
- Nearest Airport: Indore Airport (Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Airport), 55 km from the Temple
- Nearest Major Cities to Ujjain: Indore (60 km), Omkareshwar (150 km) and Bhopal (180 km).
Legend/History:
According to the Shiva Purana, Dushan, a demon, was granted a boon by Lord Brahma to be invisible. He was accompanied by the neighbours of the clan to attack the kingdom of Ujjain. A child named Shrikhar prayed for his kingdom’s safety near the Kshipra (Shipra) river, where Mahadev was attracted to his Bhakti and Sadhna. Hence, he fulfilled the child’s wish of staying in the kingdom and protected the kingdom by appearing in the form of Mahakaal. Therefore, the holy shrine of Ujjain’s Mahakaleshwar is considered to be one of the seven major Mukti Sthalas (Sapta Moksha Puris).
These Muktisthalas are the most sacred cities, which include Ayodhya, Mathura and Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh), Haridwar (Uttarakhand), Kanchipuram (Tamil Nadu), Ujjain (Madhya Pradesh), as well as Dwarka in Gujarat. These cities can be the best addition to your religious exploration in India.
4. Shri Omkareshwar – Madhya Pradesh
Darshan Timing:
5:00 AM – 3:50 PM
4:15 PM – 9:30 PM
Aarti Timing:
Morning Aarti: 5:00 AM
Evening Aarti: 8:20 PM
How to Reach?
- By Road: Excellent Road Connectivity. Direct Buses and local vehicles – Public and Private Transport Available
- Nearest Railway Station: Omkareshwar Road Railway Station, 14 km from the Temple
- Nearest Airport: Indore Airport (Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Airport), 77 km from the Temple
- Nearest Major Cities to Omkareshwar: Indore (80 km), Ujjain (150 km) and Bhopal (180 km).
Legend/History:
You can witness the large shape of the ‘Om’ symbol on the Mandhata Island in the Narmada River. According to the legends, there was once a fight between the demons and devas, which was the reason for the manifestation of Lord Shiva to save all the demigods from the attacks. Another popular story revolves around the King, Mandhata, who worshipped Lord Shiva until he appeared as a Jyotirlinga. Hence, this site promotes harmony and consciousness growth. People chant ‘Om’ to reverberate with the Universe at its frequency and connect with Lord Shiva directly here.
5. Shri Kedarnath – Kedarnath Dham in Uttarakhand
Darshan Timing:
May 2, 2025 – November 3, 2025
6:00 AM – 3:00 PM
5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Aarti Timing:
Morning Aarti: 4:00 AM
Evening Aarti: 7:00 PM
How to Reach?
- By Road: Excellent Road Connectivity – vehicle permitted only till Gaurikund, 16 km away. Hire a pony/palanquin if you cannot trek the 16 km trek to Kedarnath Dham
- Nearest Railway Station: Rishikesh Railway Station, 225 km from the Temple
- Nearest Airport: Jolly Grant Airport, 240 km from the Temple
- Nearest Major Cities to Kedarnath: Rudraprayag (78 km), Rishikesh (220 km) and Haridwar (220 km).
Legend/History:
Located far from human settlements, this unique shrine is linked to various stories and finds its references in many religious/sacred books. According to one of the legends, the Pandavas sought forgiveness from Lord Shiva after the Kurukshetra war, where Shiva turned into a bull and went underground. However, the hump of the bull remained, which formed the prestigious Jyotirlinga, which is still worshipped to this day. This tirth is considered to be among the Char Dham Yatra pilgrimage, which includes Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath Dhams. Worshipping in the Kedarnath Dham depicts the feeling of devotion, penance, submission and atonement. Despite the journey being a difficult trek, people from all over the world come here every year to pay their respect to Lord Shiva.
6. Bhimashankar Mahadev – Sahyadri Range, Maharashtra
Darshan Timing:
5:00 AM – 9:30 PM
Aarti Timing:
Morning Aarti: 5:00 AM
Noon Aarti: 1:00 PM
Evening Aarti: 7:30 PM
How to Reach?
- By Road: Excellent Road Connectivity. Direct Buses and local vehicles – Public and Private Transport Available
- Nearest Railway Station: Pune Jn Railway Station, 125 km from the Temple
- Nearest Airport: Pune Airport, 120 km from the Temple
- Nearest Major Cities to Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga: Pune (110 km) and Mumbai (180 km).
Legend/History:
If you love ancient Indian architecture, you would love the Nagara style of architecture in Bhimashankar. However, let’s learn the story behind this beautiful pilgrimage destination. Tripurasur was another demon who tried to take over the three worlds (Trilok) with the boon from the Gods to be invulnerable. Hence, after defeating the Gods and sages to disrupt the balance of the cosmos, the Gods asked Mahadev to defeat the demon king. Hence, Lord Shiva appeared in the form of Bhima Shankara around the Sahyadri Hills and killed Tripurasur. Later, the Bhīmarathi River was formed from the sweat of Lord Shiva’s war. There are forests, hills and historic forts around the temple, with a narrow lane towards the river from behind the temple. You can also witness the Shani Temple within the Bhimashankar Temple’s complex.
7. Shri Kashi Vishwanath – Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh
Darshan Timing:
2:30 AM – 11:00 PM
Aarti Timing:
Morning Aarti: 3:00 AM
Noon Aarti: 11:15 AM
Evening Aarti: 7:00 PM
Shayan (Night) Aarti: 10:30 PM
How to Reach?
- By Road: Excellent Road Connectivity. Direct Buses and local vehicles – Public and Private Transport Available
- Nearest Railway Station: Varanasi Jn, Kashi, and Banaras Railway Stations, almost within 6 km from the Temple
- Nearest Airport: Hyderabad Airport, 26 km from the Temple
- Nearest Major Cities to Varanasi: Mirzapur (40 km), Prayagraj (120 km) and Gorakhpur (200 km).
Legend/History:
One of the most spiritual and holy cities in India, Varanasi/Banaras, is the site where Lord Shiva manifested himself between Lord Brahma and Vishnu to settle their claims on being the ultimate. Lord appeared here in the Vishweshwara form and asked both of them to find the end and beginning of the light that appeared. While Lord Vishnu went underground to check the end in vain, Lord Brahma went above and claimed to have seen the top of the Shivalinga’s aura. While Lord Vishnu remained honest, Brahma lied to Lord Shiva.
Angered by his dishonesty, Lord Shiva cut off his fifth head and destroyed his ego. However, since Lord Shiva sinned by cutting off one of his heads with Brahmahatya (killing of Brahma), he came to Kashi/Varanasi again in the form of a beggar (in the form of Bhikshatana) with a skull in his hand and meditated for forgiveness. Finally, he was forgiven and provided Moksha from this situation. Since Varanasi granted Moksha even to Lord Shiva, this city is considered quite sacred. The Lord exists in every form, everywhere, which signifies that Shiva always destroys evil intentions, no matter who sins. Moksha is attainable by everyone who dies here, as Bholenath does not watch any appearance, sin or social status, but devotion.
The site at which Lord Shiva was granted Moksha is believed to be the Kapal Mochan, also known as the Laat Bhairav or Kapal Bhairava Temple (within the Kashi Vishwanath Temple Complex). Enjoy touring Kashi Vishwanath Dham, the city of lights, the spiritual capital of India, with your friends and family. This tour will help you learn the historical and cultural pride of Uttar Pradesh and India as a whole.
8. Rameshwaram – Tamil Nadu
Darshan Timing:
5:00 AM – 1:00 PM
3:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Aarti Timing:
Morning Aarti: 5:00 AM
Evening Aarti: 8:45 PM
How to Reach?
- By Road: Excellent Road Connectivity. Direct Buses and local vehicles – Public and Private Transport Available
- Nearest Railway Station: Rameshwaram Railway Station, 1 km from the Temple
- Nearest Airport: Madurai Airport, 180 km from the Temple
- Nearest Major Cities to Rameswaram: Ramanathapuram (60 km), Madurai (170 km) and Karaikudi (140 km).
Legend/History:
Situated on the Pamban Island, Lord Rama prayed to Lord Shiva before constructing the Ram Setu/bridge to Lanka to seek blessings from Mahadev. He also atoned for killing the demon Ravana, as he was a devotee of Lord Shiva and a Brahmin, which marked Lord Rama with the Brahmahatya sin – the Killing of a Brahmin. Hence, his sand-made Shiva Lingam was finally turned into a permanent Jyotirlingam as Lord Shiva appeared to bless Lord Rama and forgave him for his sins. It is notable that due to the kind and forgiving nature of Lord Shiva, he is also referred to as Bholenath. Many visitors come here to put their relatives’ ashes into the sea, seeking peace for the dear departed. It is believed that spraying the ashes in the sea provides peace to the departed souls, setting them free from worldly roles.
9. Shri Nageshwar – Near Dwarka in Gujarat
Darshan Timing:
6:00 AM – 12:30 PM
5:00 PM – 9:30 PM
Aarti Timing:
Morning Aarti: 6:00 AM
Evening Aarti: 7:00 PM
Night Aarti: 9:00 PM
How to Reach?
- By Road: Excellent Road Connectivity. Direct Buses and local vehicles – Public and Private Transport Available
- Nearest Railway Station: Dwarka Railway Station, 16 km from the Temple
- Nearest Airport: Jamnagar Airport, 130 km from the Temple
- Nearest Major Cities to Nageshwar: Dwarka (20 km) and Jamnagar (135 km).
Legend/History:
In addition to the above, Shree Nageshwar, another legendary pilgrimage destination, protected the devotee Supriya, who was captured by one of the demons, Daruka. Daruka punished people for their devotion towards God. She kept on chanting “Om Namaha Shivaay” despite all the evil actions against her, which forced Lord Bholenath to appear in the form of Nageshwar to kill the demon and protect his disciple. It is believed that Shiva protects his devotees from poisons, including snake venom, which gave the pilgrimage its name.
10. Baba Baidyanath – Jharkhand
Darshan Timing:
4:00 AM – 3:30 PM
6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Aarti Timing:
Morning Aarti: 4:00 AM
Noon Aarti: 12:00 PM
Evening Aarti: 6:00 PM
How to Reach?
- By Road: Excellent Road Connectivity. Direct Buses and local vehicles – Public and Private Transport Available
- Nearest Railway Station: Deoghar Railway Station, 3 km from the Temple
- Nearest Airport: Deoghar Airport, 12 km from the Temple
- Nearest Major Cities to Deoghar: Dhanbad (80 km), Bhagalpur (90 km) and Asansol (90 km).
Legend/History:
Located in Deoghar, this pilgrimage destination is highly revered by the bhakts/devotees from all over the country. Especially in the month of Savan, which is also considered to be a holy month, many pilgrims from around the country visit the Baba Vaidyanath Dham with Kanwad/Kanwar Yatra that includes a long walk. Its legend is associated with Ravana, the demon King of Lanka (Sri Lanka), who performed an intense Tapasya, where he shredded all of his ten heads one by one to Lord Shiva.
Due to his intense Sadhna, Bholenath granted him his Jyotirlinga for his immortality, but only if he could place the Jyotirlinga in Lanka. Also, wherever the Jyotirlinga would be placed, it would stay there forever. Hence, the demigods played tricks on Ravana to somehow get the Jyotirlinga lowered before reaching Lanka. When Ravana tried to lift it back, he failed miserably as it was impossible. Thus, the power of divinity and cosmic balance stops the immoral or evil zest from taking over Dharma. Hence, this Jyotirlinga signifies the victory of good over evil, despite all the odds.
11. Trimbakeshwar Dham – Maharashtra
Darshan Timing:
5:30 AM – 9:00 PM
Aarti Timing:
Morning Aarti: 5:30 AM
Evening Aarti: 7:00 PM
How to Reach?
- By Road: Excellent Road Connectivity. Direct Buses and local vehicles – Public and Private Transport Available
- Nearest Railway Station: Nashik Road Railway Station, 40 km from the Temple
- Nearest Airport: Nashik Airport, 40 km from the Temple
- Nearest Major Cities to Trimbakeshwar: Nashik (30 km), Mumbai (180 km) and Pune (240 km).
Legend/History:
The Trimbakeshwar shrine in Maharashtra is associated with sage Gautam, who prayed to Lord Shiva to bring down Ganga from his Jata and cleanse the land. Pleased by his devotion, the Lord appeared and provided the Godavari River for the sake of his boon/wish. The unique lingam here represents the Trinity of Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu, as well as Lord Shiva in the same Shiva lingam. This represents the cycle of creation, preservation and destruction that empowers the whole of the universe. Visit this beautiful pilgrimage destination with your family and make every second divine.
12. Grishneshwar Mahadev – Near Ellora, Maharashtra
Darshan Timing:
5:30 AM – 9:30 PM
Aarti Timing:
Kakad Aarti: 5:30 AM
Rudrabhishek: 7:00 AM
Madhyan Aarti: 6:30 PM
Sheja Aarti: 9:00 PM
How to Reach?
- By Road: Excellent Road Connectivity. Direct Buses and local vehicles – Public and Private Transport Available
- Nearest Railway Station: Aurangabad Railway Station, 30 km from the Temple
- Nearest Airport: Aurangabad Airport, 30 km from the Temple
- Nearest Major Cities to Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga: Ellora Caves (2 km), Aurangabad (30 km) and Nashik (170 km).
Legend/History:
Lastly, the Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga Temple is the smallest and the final Jyotirlinga in the Dwadash Jyotirlinga trip, where you can also witness the beautiful architecture and legends. It is linked to the story of a woman named Kusuma (Ghushma), who performed daily rituals to appease Lord Shiva. She dipped 101 Shivalingams daily in the pond as a form of devotion. However, a jealous relative killed her son and threw his body in the same pond. However, despite the pain and suffering, she continued her prayers, which forced Lord Shiva to appear and revive her son and asked her to get any wish fulfilled. She asked him to stay permanently at her site, which led to the appearance of this Jyotirlinga, known as Grishneshwar (the God of Compassion). Hence, you can not only witness the beauty and intricacy of the Temple design, but also the unwavering devotion and faith towards Lord Shiva.
12 Jyotirlinga name in Hindi
The 12 Jyotirlinga name in Hindi include, सोमनाथ (सौराष्ट्र, गुजरात), मल्लिकार्जुन (श्रीशैलम, आंध्र प्रदेश), महाकालेश्वर (उज्जैन, मध्य प्रदेश), ओंकारेश्वर (खंडवा, मध्य प्रदेश), केदारनाथ (रुद्रप्रयाग, उत्तराखंड), भीमाशंकर (पुणे, महाराष्ट्र), काशी विश्वनाथ (वाराणसी, उत्तर प्रदेश), त्र्यंबकेश्वर (नासिक, महाराष्ट्र), वैद्यनाथ (देवघर, झारखंड), नागेश्वर (द्वारका, गुजरात), रामेश्वर (रामेश्वरम, तमिलनाडु), घृष्णेश्वर (एलोरा, महाराष्ट्र) ज्योतिर्लिंग. Visit these holy Shiva God Temple and make sure to pray for the the growth of everyone.
Dwadash Jyotirlinga Strotam
Make sure to recite the Dwadash Jyotirlinga Strotam (द्वादश ज्योतिर्लिंग स्तोत्रम्) on your trip to these holy sites.
सौराष्ट्रे सोमनाथं च श्रीशैले मल्लिकार्जुनम्।
उज्जयिन्यां महाकालं ओंकारं ममलेश्वरम्॥
केदारं हिमवद्गीरेः डाकिन्यां भीमशङ्करम्।
वाराणस्यां च विश्वेशं त्र्यम्बकं गौतमीतटे॥
वैद्यनाथं चिताभूमौ नागेशं दारुकावने।
सेतुबंधे तु रामेशं घुश्मेशं च शिवालये॥
एतानि ज्योतिर्लिङ्गानि सायं प्रातः पठेन्नरः।
सप्तजन्मकृतं पापं स्मरणेन विनश्यति॥
भावार्थ (संक्षिप्त):
जो मनुष्य इन द्वादश ज्योतिर्लिंगों का नाम प्रातः और संध्या समय श्रद्धा से स्मरण करता है, उसके सात जन्मों के पाप भी नष्ट हो जाते हैं।
Best Tips for Devotees
Do’s:
- Stay hydrated, especially in hot and humid environments
- Wear decent clothes, appropriate for the Temple visits
- Respect local customs and traditions
- Beware of pickpockets, especially in a crowd
- Plan your route wisely and pack all the essentials
- Explore the nature, markets and local culture for a perfect trip
- Book hotels, trains/flights and cabs in advance and be ready for changes in plans
- Pack warm clothes for Kedarnath as it gets freezing cold, especially at night
Dont’s:
- Dress in revealing, indecent or flashy clothing
- Trust touts and scammers, especially near the Temples
- Engage in debates or arguments
You are also advised to consider the time of year, especially for the Kedarnath trip, as it is open between May and November.
Travelling Made Easy with Chiku Cab
Simplifying the Jyotirlinga Yatra For You
With Chiku Cab, you can easily travel around the top pilgrimage sites without worrying about anything! You can visit some of the Jyotirlingas together as they lie in close proximity to each other. These include:
- Nageshwar, Dwarka, Gujarat
- Somnath, Gir, Gujarat
Take a flight/train to reach:
- Trimbakeshwar, Nashik, Maharashtra
- Grishneshwar, Aurangabad, Maharashtra
- Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga, Pune, Maharashtra
Take a flight/train to reach:
- Mahakaleshwar, Ujjain, M.P.
- Omkareshwar, M.P.
With a range of Sedans, SUVs and Tempo Travellers, we have brought a luxurious yet budget-friendly option for you and your family and friends. Visit some of the top tourist attraction sites in India with various tour packages consisting of top pilgrimage sites such as the Char Dham Yatra and Dwadash Jyotirlinga Darshan. As our services operate in almost all the major Indian cities, you can easily download our Chiku Cab application and book cabs to travel anywhere in India with comfort. We offer local, outstation, as well as Airport and Railway Station Transfer services, ensuring that you reach your destination comfortably. Explore the holiest shrines and cities with Chiku Cab’s Discounted Tour Packages exclusively on our mobile app. So what are you waiting for? Plan an effortless Darshan journey the smart way with us.
Wondering why you must be visiting these 12 Jyotirlinga Shrines? We have raised the following question to resolve your query.
Why Visit the 12 Jyotirlingas?
Visiting these holy Temples not only brings spirituality and prosperity, but also helps you learn more about various cultures, history and languages in the different cities and towns in India. Still, you will recognise its unity in diversity, all linked to Lord Shiva, as the names of Jyotirlingas suggest. Connecting with Lord Shiva will help you attain Moksha (liberation from the cycle of life and death). Additionally, you can witness the intricacy in the carvings, sculptures, as well as the walls of the temples. You will also witness the natural beauty of the country in its mountains, forests, rivers and beaches spread around the country. Indulge in a range of activities, from adventurous trekking and hiking in the mountains to rafting through the valleys, or making sand castles with your children on some of the best family-friendly beaches. For your convenience, we have included the 12 Jyotirlinga name with state in this blog above.
Apart from the difference in weather and culture, you can also enjoy the unique local cuisines, including authentic Gujarati food or South Indian dishes served on a banana leaf. With a reliable taxi service, you can also embark on a memorable road trip with your loved ones.
What is a Jyotirlinga?
Jyotirlingas are considered sacred Shivalingas, where the term can be described as ‘Jyoti’, signifying light and ‘Linga’, referring to the focal point of the energy of Lord Shiva on a cylindrical/spherical stone. Hence, the canonical description of a Jyotirlinga is a manifestation of Lord Shiva in his finite and infinite nature, being formless yet in form, omnipresent yet within a stone. These Jyotirlingas are the self-manifestation forms of Lord Shiva, where each of the Jyotirlingas depicts a different manifestation of the Lord. Therefore, we have provided the 12 Jyotirlinga with location in this article so that you can take your parents on this spiritual journey.
India is filled with wonders in every corner, one of which is these Jyotirlingas. So, start your journey in resolving all your doubts and exploring the country’s rich historical and cultural heritage.
FAQs
1. How many Jyotirlingas are there in India?
There are 12 Jyotirlingas in India. The 12 jyotirlinga name with state include, Shree Somnath (Gujarat), Mallikarjuna (Andhra Pradesh), Mahakaleshwar (Madhya Pradesh), Omkareshwar (Madhya Pradesh), Nageshwar (Gujarat), Rameshwar (Tamil Nadu), Vishveshwar (Uttar Pradesh), Trimbakeshwar (Maharashtra), Kedarnath (Uttarakhand), Baidyanath (Jharkhand), Bhimashankar (Maharashtra) and Grishneshwar Mahadev Jyotirlinga (Maharashtra).
2. Are women allowed inside the Jyotirlinga Temples?
Yes. Our Indian culture appreciates and welcomes everyone to visit and pray to their respective deities, irrespective of their gender or social status.
3. Which is the first Jyotirlinga in India?
Somnath, Gujarat, is considered the first Jyotirlinga in India, which has a long history of destruction and reconstruction over centuries of its existence.
4. How do I travel to all the Jyotirlingas in India?
You can easily travel to all twelve Jyotirlingas in India with Chiku Cab’s Tour Packages for spiritual trips (Dwadash Jyotirlinga Yatra). Additionally, we also offer Char Dham Yatra bookings and other taxi rental services across India.
5. Which is the smallest Jyotirlinga?
The smallest and the last Jyotirlinga in the Dwadash Jyotirlinga Yatra is said to be the Grishneshwar Mahadev Jyotirlinga near Ellora Caves in Maharashtra.
I’m a wanderer who loves venturing on to unknown and unseen places. I explore freely to various fun and adventurous places, whether it be spiritual temple tours, captivating landscapes, and more. I wonder around in search of hidden gems and tourist attractions, temples, and other places.
