Jyotirlinga | 12 Jyotirlinga | Jyotirlinga Temples | 12 Jyotirlingas in India

Originally there were 64 Jyotirlingas in India and out of which the 12 Jyotirlinga are considered to be highly auspicious & holy. Each of 12 Jyotirlingas is considered a different manifestation of Lord Shiva. Jyotirlinga also known as Jyotirlingam or Jyotirling is basically a devotional representation of the Supreme God i.e. Lord Shiva. In Jyotirlinga the term Jyoti means “radiance” and the term lingam means “Image / Sign” of Shiva. Therefore Jyotir Lingam means the Radiant Sign of Lord Shiva.

ज्योतिर्लिंग क्या है और ज्योतिर्लिंग की उत्पत्ति कैसे हुई - What Is Jyotirling

As per the Siva Mahapuraṇa, once Lord Brahma who is the god of creation & Lord Vishnu who is the form of God during Preservation had an argument over the supremacy of creation. To settle their debate or argument, Supreme God Lord Shiva pierced the three worlds appearing as a huge Infinite Pillar of Light, the Jyotirlinga (which later cooled into the Holy Mountain) and Annamalai (on which the Temple of Arunachaleshvara is located).

The Lord Vishnu & the Lord Brahma split their ways to downwards & upwards respectively to find the end of the light in both directions. Lord Brahma lied that he found out the end while Lord Vishnu accepted his defeat. Lord Shiva became angry on Brahma and curse him that even though he is the creator of the universe he would not be worshipped. The Jyotirlinga is the Supreme Siva partless reality out of which Shiva appeared in another Form i.e. Lingodbhava. The Twelve Jyotirlinga shrines are the Temples where Lord Shiva appeared as a fiery column of light.

12 Jyotirlingas in India - Temples of Lord Shiva

Actually, 12 Jyotirlinga is the set of 12 Shiva Temples which are spread all over India. All the 12 Jyotirlingas are considered holiest for the devotees of Lord Shiva. A Jyotirlinga is basically a shrine where people worship Lord Shiva in the form of a Jyotirlingam. You should know that the Jyotirlinga / Jyotirlingam is the radiant sign or you can say phallus symbol of The Almighty.

1. Somnath Jyotirlinga, Gujarat (सोमनाथ ज्योतिर्लिंग गुजरात)

Somnath Jyotirlinga or Somnath Shiva Temple is considered to be the first of the 12 Jyotirlingas. This temple is located in Gujarat near Veraval (Prabhas Kshetra) in Kathiawad district. As per the Shiva Purana, the Moon was married to 27 daughters of Daksha Prajapati. Out of 27 daughters of Daksha Prajapati, he loved Rohini the most. Prajapati cursed the moon after seeing his negligence towards his other wives and thus moon loses all its radiance.

A disturbed moon along with his wife Rohini came to the Somnath and worshipped the Lingam. After that Lord Shiva blessed him and he regains his lost beauty & shine. On the request of the moon, God Shiva assumed the name Somchandra and also resided there eternally. After then he became famous by the name Somnath.

2. Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga, Andhra Pradesh (मल्लिकार्जुन ज्योतिर्लिंग, आंध्रप्रदेश)

Mallikarjuna Temple is situated in the southern part of Andhra Pradesh. This temple is also known as the “Kailash of the South”. The Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga Temples is one of the greatest Shaivite shrines in India. The presiding deities मल्लिकार्जुन ज्योतिर्लिंग temple are Mallikarjuna (Shiva) & Bhramaramba (Devi).

As per the Shiva Purana, Lord Kartikeya gets angry because of Ganesha was married off before him. He went away to the Kraunch Mountain and all the Gods tried to console him but failed. Then Shiva-Parvati travelled to that mountain but were turned away by Lord Kartikeya.

Lord Shiva was very hurt by seeing their son in such a state and they assumed the form of a Jyotirlinga and by the name of Mallikarujna resided on that mountain. People believed that just seeing the tip of Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga one is emancipated of all the sins & also becomes free from the cycle of life & death.

3. Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga, Madhya Pradesh (महाकालेश्वर ज्योतिर्लिंग मध्य प्रदेश)

The Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga Temple is situated on the banks of the Kshipra River, in the thick Mahakal woodland in Ujjain (Madhya Pradesh). As per the Puranas, there was a five-year-old kid named Shrikar was captivated by the devotion of King Chandrasena of Ujjain towards Lord Shiva. That boy i.e. Shrikar took a stone and began worshipping as Shiva.

People try to dissuade him in various ways, yet his devotion continued developing. By Satisfying to his dedication, Lord Shiva assumed the form of a Jyotirlinga and dwelled in the Mahakal forest. The Mahakaleshwar Temple or Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga is also among one of the seven "Mukti-Sthal" - the spot that can liberate a human.

4. Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga, Madhya Pradesh (ओंकारेश्वर ज्योतिर्लिंग, मध्य प्रदेश)

The Omkareshwar Temple is situated on an island named Shivapuri in the Narmada River (Madhya Pradesh). The term Omkareshwar signifies "Lord of Omkara" or the Lord of the Om Sound. As per the Hindu scriptures, once there ensued a great war between the Devas (Gods) & Danavas (Demons) and Danavas won in this war.

It was a major misfortune for the Devas who at that point prayed to Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva pleased with their prayer & emerged in the form of Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga and defeated the Danavas.

5. Vaidyanath Jyotirlinga, Jharkhand (वैद्यनाथ ज्योतिर्लिंग, झारखंड)

Vaidyanath Temple also called as Baidyanath or Vaijnath is situated at Deogarh in the Santal Parganas (Jharkhand). Individuals believe that one can achieve moksha or salvation by worshipping Vaidyanath Jyotirlinga. As per a well-known legend, the devil ruler Ravana meditated and asked Lord Shiva to come to Sri Lanka and make it powerful.

Ravana attempted to take Mount Kailash with him, yet Lord Shiva squashed it. Then Ravana requested for penance and in turn, was given of the twelve Jyotirlingas relying on the prerequisite that in the event that it was set on the ground it would remain attached to that spot till endlessness. While shipping it to Sri Lanka, Lord Varuna entered Ravana's body and an urgent need to relieve himself.

Ruler Vishnu came as a chap/ lad and offered to hold the lingam meanwhile. Be that as it may, Vishnu set the lingam on the ground and it got attached to the spot. As a form of penance,, Ravana cut off nine of his heads. Shiva restored him and joined the heads to the body, similar to a vaidya and henceforth this Jyotirlinga came to be known as वैद्यनाथ ज्योतिर्लिंग.

6. Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga, Maharashtra (भीमाशंकर ज्योतिर्लिंग महाराष्ट्र)

The Bhimashankar Temple is situated in the Sahyadri locale of Pune, Maharashtra. The भीमाशंकर ज्योतिर्लिंग Temple lies on the banks of Bhima River and is considered as a wellspring of this stream. The legend about the presence of this Jyotirlinga is identified with Kumbhakarna's child Bhima.

At the point when Bhima discovered that he was the child of Kumbhakarana who was destroyed by Lord Vishnu in his manifestation as Lord Ram, he vowed to avenge Lord Vishnu. He performed penance to please the Lord Brahma who provides him immense power. After achieving this power, he began making destruction on the earth.

He crushed the staunch devotee of Lord Shiva- Kamrupeshwar and put him in the danger. This infuriated the Lords who mentioned Shiva to plunge Earth and put a conclusion to this tyranny. A war followed between the two and Shiva eventually put the evil presence to cinders. Every one of the Gods at that point requested to Lord Shiva to make that spot his dwelling place. Shiva at that point showed himself as Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga.

7. Rameshwar Jyotirlinga, Tamil Nadu (रामेश्वरम ज्योतिर्लिंग, तमिलनाडु)

Rameshwar Jyotirlinga Temple is the southernmost of the 12 Jyotirlingas. This रामेश्वरम ज्योतिर्लिंग Temple is situated on the island of Rameshwaram (Tamil Nadu). This Jyotirlinga is closely connected with Ramayana and Ram's successful come back from Sri Lanka.

People believed that Lord Ram on his way to Sri Lanka stopped at Rameshwaram and also drink water on the seashore when there was a heavenly declaration: "You are drinking water without worshipping me". After listening to this Ram made a linga of sand and worshipped it and also requested its favours to defeat Ravana. He got the favours from Lord Shiva who at that point transformed into a Jyotirlinga i.e. रामेश्वरम ज्योतिर्लिंग (Rameshwaram Jyotirlinga) and dwelled at the spot for forever.

8. Nageshwar Jyotirlinga, Gujarat (नागेश्वर ज्योतिर्लिंग गुजरात)

The Nageshwar Jyotirlinga Temple (नागेश्वर ज्योतिर्लिंग) also called as Nagnath Jyotirlinga Temple is situated on the route between Gomati Dwarka & the Bait Dwarka Island in Gujarat. It holds unique significance as it symbolizes security from a wide range of toxic substance. People believed that the individuals who worship Nageshwar Jyotirlinga become free of all poisons.

As indicated by the Shiva Purana, once a Shiva devotee named Supriya was caught by the devil Daaruka. The evil spirit imprisoned her with a few others in his capital Daarukavana. Supriya advised all the prisoners to recite "Aum Namaha Shivaya" which enraged Daaruka who hurried to kill the girl Supriya. Lord Shiva manifested to the evil presence and kill him. Subsequently, the Nageshwar Jyotirlinga appeared.

9. Kashi Vishwanath Jyotirlinga, Varanasi (श्री काशी विश्वनाथ ज्योतिर्लिंग, उत्तर प्रदेश)

The Kashi Vishwanath Jyotirlinga Temple is situated in Kashi. This Jyotirlinga Temple is situated amidst the crowded lanes of the holy city of Banaras which is also known as Varanasi. Here more than the Ghats & Ganga of Varanasi, the Shivalinga remains the devotional focus among pilgrims. It is accepted that Banaras is the site at which the first Jyotirlinga showed its supremacy over other gods, got through the world's outside and flared towards paradise/ heaven.

This Kashi Vishwanath Jyotirlinga Temple/ Shiva Temple / श्री काशी विश्वनाथ ज्योतिर्लिंग is said to be the dearest to Lord Shiva, and the individuals accept that the people who die here accomplish liberation. Many also believe that Shiva himself dwelled here and is the giver of satisfaction, happiness & liberation.

10. Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga, Nasik (त्र्यंबकेश्वर ज्योतिर्लिंग नाशिक)

The Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga Temple / त्र्यंबकेश्वर ज्योतिर्लिंग is situated about 30kms from Nasik in Maharashtra close to the mountain named Brahmagiri from the stream Godavari streams. This Jyotirlinga is viewed as a wellspring of the waterway Godavari which is known as "Gautami Ganga"- the most sacred river in South India.

As indicated by the Shiva Purana, on the request of Gautam Rishi, River Godavari & the various Gods Lord Shiva chose to dwell here and expected the assumed the name Trimbakeshwar. People believe that this Jyotirlinga i.e. Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga in Maharashtra is the one which fulfils everyone’s desires.

11. Kedarnath Jyotirlinga, Uttarakhand (केदारनाथ ज्योतिर्लिंग, उत्तराखण्ड)

Kedarnath Jyotirlinga Temple is situated on the Rudra Himalaya Range on a mountain named Kedar. This Jyotirlinga Temple is around 150 miles away from Haridwar. This Shiva Temple cherishing the Jyotirlinga opens just a half year in a year. The tradition is that while setting out on a journey to Kedarnath individuals first visit Yamunotri & Gangotri and carries the holy water to offer at Kedarnath.

As per the legends, pleased by the severe penance of the Nara and Narayana who are two manifestations of Lord Vishnu & Lord Shiva took up permanent abode in Kedarnath as this Jyotirlinga. People believe that worshipping Kedarnath Jyotirlinga / केदारनाथ ज्योतिर्लिंग one gets all his desire fulfilled.

12. Ghrishneshwar Jyotirlinga, Maharashtra (घृष्णेश्वर ज्योतिर्लिंग महाराष्ट्र)

The Ghrishneshwar Jyotirlinga / घृष्णेश्वर ज्योतिर्लिंग is situated in a town called Verul in Aurangabad (Maharashtra). There is also a famous tourist place i.e. Ajanta & Ellora caves. The Ghrishneshwar ज्योतिर्लिंग is additionally known by different names like Kusumeswarar, Ghushmeswara, Grushmeswara & Grishneswara.

As per the Shiva Purana, a couple named Sudharm & Sudeha dwelled on the Devagiri Mountain. They were childless, and therefore Sudeha got her sister Ghushma wedded to Sudharm. They bore a child who rendered Ghushma pleased and Sudeha envious of her sister. In her envy, Sudeha tossed the child in the lake where Ghushma used to release 101 lingams.

Ghushma appealed to Lord Shiva who at last restored her the child and advised her of her sister's deeds. Sudharm requested that Shiva liberate Sudeha which left Shiva satisfied with his liberality. On Sudharm's solicitation, Shiva showed himself as the Jyotirlinga and expected the name Ghushmeshwar.