The 12 Jyotirlingas are the most sacred shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva in Hinduism. According to the Shiva Purana, these shrines mark the places where Lord Shiva manifested as an infinite pillar of divine light (Jyoti), symbolizing his eternal and limitless nature. Spread across eight Indian states, the Jyotirlingas are significant from the perspectives of Indian culture, history, geography, art and architecture, and religious heritage.

What Are the 12 Jyotirlingas?

A Jyotirlinga is a sacred representation of Lord Shiva in the form of a divine pillar of light.

The term is derived from:

• Jyoti – Divine Light
• Linga – Symbol of Lord Shiva

According to Hindu tradition, Lord Shiva appeared as an endless column of light to demonstrate his supreme and infinite form. The twelve Jyotirlingas commemorate this manifestation and are regarded as the holiest Shiva temples in India.

List of 12 Jyotirlingas in India

The 12 Jyotirlingas are the holiest shrines of Lord Shiva, located across different parts of India, each holding unique religious, historical, and cultural significance in Hindu tradition. Here we have provided the List of 12 Jyotirlingas in India.

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1. Somnath Jyotirlinga (Gujarat)

• Located at Prabhas Patan in the Gir Somnath district of Gujarat, on the western coast of the Arabian Sea.
• Traditionally regarded as the first Jyotirlinga mentioned in Hindu scriptures.
• According to legend, Chandra (Moon God) worshipped Lord Shiva here to regain his lost radiance after being cursed by Sage Daksha.
• The temple has been destroyed and rebuilt multiple times following repeated invasions, making it a symbol of faith and resilience.
• The present temple was reconstructed in the Chalukya architectural style and inaugurated in 1951.
• The temple stands near the Triveni Sangam, where the Hiran, Kapila, and the mythical Saraswati rivers meet.
• It is one of the most visited Shiva pilgrimage sites in western India.

2. Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga (Andhra Pradesh)

• Situated at Srisailam in the Nallamala Hills of Andhra Pradesh.
• Located on the banks of the Krishna River within the Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve.
• Dedicated to Lord Mallikarjuna (Shiva) and Goddess Bhramaramba (Parvati), making it one of the few temples housing both deities.
• It is also one of the 18 Shakti Peethas, enhancing its religious significance.
• The temple has been patronized by the Satavahanas, Chalukyas, Kakatiyas, Vijayanagara rulers, and the Reddi dynasty.
• It is an important centre of Shaivism in South India.

3. Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga (Madhya Pradesh)

• Located in Ujjain, one of India’s Sapta Puri (Seven Sacred Cities).
• Famous for its unique south-facing (Dakshinamukhi) Jyotirlinga, a rare feature among Shiva temples.
• Renowned for the daily Bhasma Aarti, performed before sunrise using sacred ash.
• Situated near the Shipra River, which hosts the Simhastha Kumbh Mela every 12 years.
• The temple has references in ancient Hindu literature and has been rebuilt several times.
• Mahakaleshwar is worshipped as the Lord of Time (Mahakaal).

4. Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga (Madhya Pradesh)

• Located on Mandhata (Shivapuri) Island in the Narmada River.
• The island is believed to resemble the sacred symbol “Om” when viewed from above.
• One of the two major Shiva temples on the island, the other being Mamleshwar Temple.
• The temple has architectural influences from the Paramara and Maratha periods.
• Omkareshwar is considered an important centre of pilgrimage along the Narmada River.
• It attracts devotees throughout the year, especially during Mahashivratri.

5. Kedarnath Jyotirlinga (Uttarakhand)

• Located in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand at an altitude of about 3,583 metres.
• One of the highest Jyotirlingas and part of the Char Dham Yatra.
• Situated near the Mandakini River amidst the Garhwal Himalayas.
• According to tradition, the temple was originally built by the Pandavas and later revived by Adi Shankaracharya.
• The temple remains open only between April/May and October/November due to heavy snowfall.
• Built using massive stone slabs without modern binding materials, showcasing remarkable ancient engineering.

6. Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga (Maharashtra)

• Located in the Sahyadri Hills near Pune in Maharashtra.
• Surrounded by the Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary, known for its rich biodiversity.
• Believed to be the origin of the Bhima River, a major tributary of the Krishna River.
• Built primarily in the Nagara style of temple architecture.
• Associated with the legend of Lord Shiva defeating the demon Bhima.
• The temple is an important pilgrimage and eco-tourism destination.

7. Kashi Vishwanath Jyotirlinga (Uttar Pradesh)

• Situated in Varanasi, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world.
• Located on the western bank of the River Ganga.
• The present temple was rebuilt by Queen Ahilyabai Holkar in 1780.
• The temple complex is connected to the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor, enhancing accessibility for pilgrims.
• Considered one of the holiest Shiva temples where devotees seek spiritual liberation (Moksha).
• Mentioned extensively in Hindu scriptures and devotional literature.

8. Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga (Maharashtra)

• Located near Nashik at the foothills of the Brahmagiri Hills.
• Close to the origin of the Godavari River, often called the “Ganga of South India.”
• The Jyotirlinga is unique because it consists of three small lingas, representing Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva.
• Constructed using black basalt stone in traditional architecture.
• Nashik hosts the Kumbh Mela, making the temple an important pilgrimage centre.
• Known for performing rituals such as Narayan Nagbali and Kaal Sarp Dosha Puja.

9. Vaidyanath (Baidyanath) Jyotirlinga (Jharkhand)

• Located at Deoghar in Jharkhand.
• Lord Shiva is worshipped here as Vaidyanath, meaning the “Divine Physician.”
• Associated with the legend of Ravana, who performed severe penance to please Lord Shiva.
• The temple complex consists of 22 temples dedicated to different deities.
• Hosts the famous Shravani Mela, attracting millions of Kanwariyas every year.
• It is one of the most significant Shiva temples in eastern India.

10. Nageshwar Jyotirlinga (Gujarat)

• Located near Dwarka in Gujarat, along the Arabian Sea coast.
• Associated with protection from fear, poison, and negative forces.
• Houses one of the tallest statues of Lord Shiva in India.
• Mentioned in the Shiva Purana as an important Jyotirlinga.
• Closely linked with the Krishna pilgrimage circuit due to its proximity to Dwarka.
• The temple receives a large number of devotees during Mahashivratri.

11. Rameshwaram (Ramanathaswamy) Jyotirlinga (Tamil Nadu)

• Situated on Rameswaram Island in Tamil Nadu.
• Associated with the Ramayana, where Lord Rama worshipped Lord Shiva before crossing to Lanka.
• Part of the Char Dham pilgrimage circuit.
• Famous for having one of the longest temple corridors in the world, measuring over 1,200 metres.
• The temple contains 22 sacred wells (Theerthams) used for ritual purification.
• Built mainly in the Dravidian style of architecture.

12. Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga (Maharashtra)

• Located at Verul (Ellora) in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district (formerly Aurangabad).
• Considered the twelfth and final Jyotirlinga.
• Situated close to the Ellora Caves, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• The present structure was rebuilt by Queen Ahilyabai Holkar in the 18th century.
• Constructed in the Hemadpanthi architectural style using red basalt stone.
• Known for its intricate carvings depicting scenes from Hindu mythology and remains one of the most important pilgrimage centres in Maharashtra.