12 Shiv Jyotirlings in India

 

1) SOMNATH TEMPLE, GUJARAT

Somnath located near Veraval , Gujarat is considered first and foremost of all Jyotirlings. It is named after the Moon (Soma) who worshipped Shiva to get rid of a curse put on him by his father-in-law, Daksha. On getting Shiva’s blessings, the moon regained his light and this is why this town is also referred to as Prabhas. The original Somanth temple was built by the moon in pure gold and later rejuvenated by Ravana in silver, by Krishna in sandalwood and finally by Bhimadeva in stone. Thereafter, this temple was raided multiple times by invaders in the medieval centuries. The latest temple is made with reddish yellow stones and was inaugurated by the first Indian President Dr. Rajendra Prasad in 1951. One can experience complete ecstasy looking at the sight of the gigantic waves of the Arabian Sea hitting the sturdy walls of Somnath temple. Veraval is well connected to all important cities of India via roads and railways. 

 

2)MALLIKARJUNA TEMPLE, SRISAILAM, ANDHRA PRADESH

The second jyotirling of Shiva , named Mallikarjuna Swamy is located in Srisailam, Andhra Pradesh, also termed as Kashi of the South. It is located at a distance of around 215 kms from Hyderabad in Nallamala hill forests along the banks of Krishna river. Legend has it that Shiva and Parvati descended to this place to appease an agitated Kartikeya since his younger brother Ganesha was getting married before him. The gigantic fort like temple complex houses Mallikarjuna Swamy and Bharmaramba Devi as its main deities. The other important attractions in the area include the Panchamathams, temple of Istakmeswari, Sakshi Ganes, Sikharam and Srisilam Dam. The best time to visit Srisailam is the monsoon season when the forests are green offering spectacular views.

 

3) MAHAKALESHWAR JYOTIRLING, MADHYPRADESH.

Mahakaleshwar Jyotirling and Temple is the most important temple in Ujjain. The Jyotirling here is Dakshinmurti Swayambhu “self manifested” which derives power within itself unlike others where lingas are installed. The Omkareshwar linga, on the first floor, is open for visitors round the year whereas the Nagchandreshwara linga, situated on the third floor is open only on the day of Nagpanchmi. The temple has over hundred small shrines of various deities. The Koti Teertha, a large water body inside the temple complex, is believed to contain celestial water and devotees are expected to take a dip here. If you are an early riser, you could also participate in the Bhasma aarti that takes place at 4.00 am although a pass is required for this a day in advance. The temple has its own dharamshala and prasad is offered free of cost. Mahakaleshwar Temple is just 2 kms from the railway station and the Bus stand of Ujjain.

Click to plan for your Jyotirling Temple Darshan.
 

4)OMKARESHWAR, MADHYA PRADESH

Omkareshwar Jyotirling is situated in an Om-shaped island called Mandhata on Narmada River in Madhya Pradesh which is around 80 kms from Indore. There is another jyotirling temple by the name of Mamaleshwar situated on the main land. The legend behind this jyotirling states how Sage Aghastya crushes the ego of the mighty Vindhya Mountain who was blessed by a boon from Shiva. The Omkareshwar temple is an awe-inspiring three-storied structure supported by huge pillars made up of intricately carved granite stone. One cannot miss the huge Omkareshwar Dam seen from two bridges that connect Mandhata island from the mainland. A lot of devotees also perform the five km long circumambulation of the Mandhata island. There are a number of shrines enroute. The closest railway station in on Omkareshwar Road, the nearest point of transit is Indore. Apart from accommodation in the Omkareshwar Temple itself there are very few ordinary hotels and hence a stay in Indore is recommended.

 

 

5) BAIJNATH Deoghar, Jharkhand

This is the most disputed jyotirling as there are three places in India whose natives claim that their temple houses this jyotirling. During a severe penance, Ravana offered his heads to Shiva. When he is about to cut off his tenth head, Shiva appears before him and offers him a jyotirling which he can take to Lanka but without placing on the ground anywhere on the way. However, he is tricked by Ganesha and the linga is installed at the same place. The first one is at Deoghar, Bihar that has a huge complex with twenty two temples of different deities among which Shiva’s is one. The nearest railway station is Jaisidih, seven kms away on the Patna Howrah route. Parli-Vaijanath near Latur, Mahashtra, is the second one that was constructed by Rani Ahilya Bai Holkar in typical Maratha style architecture and this explains its fort like appearance. The third one made in Nagara style is 1000 year old temple in Baijnath town situated in Dhauladhar range of Western Himlaya in Himachal Pradesh. If you love panoramic hilly landscapes, then take the heritage toy train from Pathankot. As a mark of respect to Ravana, people of Baijnath don’t celebrate Dusshera.

 

6) BHIMASHANKAR, MAHARASHTRA

Bhimashankar is the sixth jyotirling of Shiva situated on the hills of Sahyadri Range in Maharasthtra, 110 kms away from Pune. This is also the place where the Bhima river, the largest tributary of Krishna river, originates. The Maratha styled temple is made of black stones. Everyone is allowed to enter the sanctorum and touch the jyotlirling. The story behind this jyotirling goes thus: Shiva took a ferocious form and reduced the oppressive demon Bhima, the son of Kumbhakarna, to ashes and remained here in the form of a jyotirling. The area is very scenic and offers breathtaking beauty, especially the neighboring peak called Nagfani. Connectivity is not a problem with many state buses plying from Pune every half an hour. The other eight km route from Khandas village near Karjat is a trekker’s paradise.

 

7) RAMESHWARAM, TAMIL NADU

Rameshwaram is a small town situated in the Pamban island in Tamil Nadu state of India. Lord Rama built a bridge starting from here right up to Sri Lanka to wage a war against Ravana after he abducted Sita. Dravidian styled Ramanathaswamy Temple has two jyotirlings; one made by Lord Rama and another brought by Hanuman from Kashi, this is a replica of the Kashi Vishwanath jyotirling. As per one of the traditions of the temple, devotees are expected to first bathe in twenty two water bodies present in the temple complex and then pay reverence to the jyotirling. Another important landmark in Rameshwaram is the Kothandaramaswamy Temple where the first meeting of Rama and Vibhishana took place. There are lot of mesmerizing places in Rameshwaram, such as Dhanushkodi, Agneeteertham, Gandhamathan Parvat, Rama Teerth, Lakshman Teerth and Pamban Bridge. This island can be reached by road in addition to the direct trains from Chennai, Madurai and Kanyakumari.

 

8) NAGESHWAR, GUJARAT

Nageshwar Jyotirling Temple is located at a distance of 18 kms from Dwarka in Gujarat which is one of the top seven Hindu holy cities of India. There is a narration from Shiv Purana that Shiva in Nageshwar form (body full of serpants) defeated a demon named Daruka and his army to rescue his imprisoned devotee named Supriya. The temple is built with pink stone and the idol is Dakshinamurti. Devotees are allowed to go inside the sanctorum and perform abhishek on this linga along with the local priest albeit only in traditional attire. There is a huge statue of a sitting Shiva in the temple complex which can be seen from a distance. An idol of Shani is also worshipped in the temple complex below a huge pipal tree. Apart from municipal sightseeing buses, auto rickshaws and cabs can be hired to visit this temple. Like Baijnath, this Jyotirling is also disputed . There are two more temples; Jageshwar in Almora, Uttarakhand and Nagnath in Aundha, Maharashtra that are said to be contenders as well.

 

9) KASHI VISHWANATH TEMPLE (VARANSI)

Kashi Vishwanath Jyotirling is situated in the holy city of Kashi (Varanasi). Even though this jyotirling is ninth on the Dwadasha Jyotlirling Strotram, it is arguably, the most important jyotirling. All the important saints such as Goswami Tulsidas, Adi Shanakaracharya, Guru Nanak, Swami Dayanand Saraswati, Swami Vivekanand, Sant Kabir etc. have visited this temple. The temple has been raided many times by invaders but has been reconstructed time and again. The present Kashi Vishwanath Temple was renovated by Ahilyabai Holkar, the queen of Maheshwar. Raja Ranjit Singh covered the two domes of the temple with gold in the eighteenth century. The temple receives close to five thousand visitors per day and on some auspicious days like Mahashivratri, the count goes right up to two lakh. Security provisions are strict and one has to deposit mobile phones and cameras outside the temple. A walk to this temple would take you through the famous narrow lanes of Kashi, don’t miss the variety of food items and other knick knacks that can be picked up as well.

 

10) TRIMBAKESHWAR, MAHARASHTRA

Trimbakeshwar is a pious temple-town located on the banks of the River Godavari, near Nasik, Maharashtra. It is among the four Hindu cities where the Kumbh Mela is held every 12 years. The legend of Trimbakeshwar states the entire pantheon of three crore Hindu deities including Shiva appeared to see the great penance of Gautam Rishi and his wife Ahilya. Shiva not only granted a jyotirling but also released a stream of Ganges from his hairlocks, now known as Godavari or Ganga of the South. In addition to this, saint Nivruttinath took samadhi here. Guru Gorakhnath of the Nath Sect also meditated in a cave near the hills of Trimbakeshwar. A temple has also been constructed at the place where Rama is said to have performed the shraddh ceremony of his ancestors. In addition to the temple, one can visit Kushavarta, a big water tank located in the center of the town and an important landmark. Genuine Rudraksha is sold here as there are many trees in this vicinity. Buses are the best form of transport. They ply from the Nasik CBS bus stand every half an hour.

 

 

 

11) KEDARNATH, UTTARAKHAND

Kedarnath is the highest and farthest among all jyotirlings. This temple is name after King Kedar who ruled here in Satyuga. The temple is situated at an altitude of 3583m in the Himalaya in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand. It is one among the Chardham Yatra destinations and is open only for six months a year due to severe climatic conditions. There is no motorable road to Kedarnath and one either has to trek 14 kms from Gaurikund or ride a horse to reach the temple. The other way is through helicopters. The temple is surrounded by imposing ice capped peaks that make for a picturesque trek. It is said that after the Mahabharata war, the Pandavas carried out penance here. Adi Shankaracharya who revived Hinduism in 800 CE is also said to have taken samadhi here and a temple is dedicated to him. After the torrential rains of 2013 it has become mandatory for devotees to take permission before visiting this Jyotirling.

 

12) GRISHNESHWAR, AURANGABAD

Grishneshwar Temple is situated in the Verul village near Ellora Caves , 11 kms from Daulatabad and 30 kms from Aurangabad , Maharashtra. According to a legend, Shiva, pleased by the selfless devotion of Ghushma, revived her son after he was killed by her own sister, Sudeha. This temple is made in Maratha style and looks extremely beautiful with its red and black stone work. The carvings on the temple walls are intricate and a sight to behold. Grishneshwar Temple is one of the most remote jyotirlings in the interiors of Maharashtra and very few people visit except on holidays and auspicious days. If you wish to perform a puja peacefully, this is the best of all jyotirlings to do so since it is free from large crowds. There are many historical places like Shahaji Raje’s Samadhi, Aurangazeb’s Tomb, Daulatabad Fort and Ellora caves situated near this temple. Best way to reach here is to take a cab from Aurangabad.