Exploring the 12 Jyotirlingas: A Sacred Journey Through India’s Spiritual Heart
The 12 Jyotirlingas are among the most revered pilgrimage sites in Hinduism, dedicated to Lord Shiva. These sacred shrines are scattered across India, each representing a different form of Shiva and holding unique significance in the spiritual and historical context. A visit to these temples is not only a religious journey but also a chance to explore the rich culture, history, and architectural beauty of India. In this blog, we will delve into the details of each of the 12 Jyotirlingas, including their locations, how to reach them, and their historical importance.
- Somnath Jyotirlinga
Location: Prabhas Patan, Saurashtra, Gujarat
How to Reach:
Somnath is located about 6 km from the Veraval railway station in Gujarat. You can take a train to Veraval or travel by road from cities like Ahmedabad (400 km).
Historical Importance:
Somnath is considered the first of the 12 Jyotirlingas. The temple’s history dates back to ancient times, and it has been destroyed and rebuilt several times, with the most notable reconstruction being by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in the 1950s. According to legend, the moon god Soma built this temple to worship Lord Shiva to cleanse himself of a curse. The Somnath temple is also famous for being the site of numerous attacks by foreign invaders, including Mahmud of Ghazni in 1025.
- Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga
Location: Srisailam, Andhra Pradesh
How to Reach:
Srisailam is about 213 km from Hyderabad and can be reached by road or train. The nearest railway station is Srisailam.
Historical Importance:
The Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga is situated on the Srisailam hills in the Nallamala range and is considered a prominent pilgrimage site in Andhra Pradesh. This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and his consort Parvati. According to legend, the temple was built by the Pandavas during the Mahabharata era. The name “Mallikarjuna” comes from the fusion of two words: “Mallika,” which means jasmine, and “Arjuna,” which refers to Lord Shiva’s form.
- Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga
Location: Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh
How to Reach:
Ujjain is well connected by rail and road to major cities like Indore (56 km) and Bhopal (190 km).
Historical Importance:
Mahakaleshwar is one of the most revered Jyotirlingas and is located on the banks of the Shipra River. This temple has a unique feature of having a south-facing idol of Lord Shiva, which is different from the usual north-facing idols found in other Jyotirlinga temples. The temple is believed to have been built by King Vikramaditya, one of the most famous kings of Ujjain, and it is an important site during the Kumbh Mela.
- Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga
Location: Mandhata Island, Khandwa, Madhya Pradesh
How to Reach:
Omkareshwar is around 77 km from Indore and can be reached by road or train. The nearest railway station is Khandwa, followed by a short boat ride to the island.
Historical Importance:
Located on an island in the Narmada River, Omkareshwar is shaped like the sacred Om symbol. It is believed that the temple was built by King Mandhata, and it is one of the most ancient shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva. The island is a significant pilgrimage destination, especially during the Kumbh Mela and other religious festivals.
- Kedarnath Jyotirlinga
Location: Kedarnath, Uttarakhand
How to Reach:
The nearest town to Kedarnath is Rishikesh, which is about 220 km away. From Rishikesh, you can take a bus or taxi to Gaurikund, and then trek the 14 km uphill to reach Kedarnath.
Historical Importance:
Kedarnath is situated in the Himalayas and is a prominent pilgrimage site for Hindus. According to legend, the Pandavas built this temple to seek forgiveness from Lord Shiva for their sins. The temple is one of the holiest shrines and remains open only during the summer months due to harsh winters.
- Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga
Location: Pune, Maharashtra
How to Reach:
Bhimashankar is about 110 km from Pune, and you can reach there by road. There are also buses available from Pune to Bhimashankar.
Historical Importance:
Bhimashankar is located in the Sahyadri mountain range and is associated with the demon Bhima, who was slain by Lord Shiva. The temple has a beautiful waterfall nearby and is a popular trekking destination as well. It is considered one of the 12 Jyotirlingas and is an important center for worship and spiritual activity in Maharashtra.
- Kashi Vishwanath Jyotirlinga
Location: Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
How to Reach:
Varanasi is well connected by road, rail, and air. The Varanasi Junction is the nearest railway station, and the Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport is about 25 km from the temple.
Historical Importance:
Located on the banks of the Ganges, Kashi Vishwanath is one of the holiest places in Hinduism and is considered the spiritual capital of India. The temple has been destroyed and rebuilt multiple times, and it is dedicated to Lord Vishwanath, a form of Lord Shiva. The temple attracts millions of pilgrims annually and holds immense cultural and religious significance.
- Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga
Location: Trimbak, Nashik, Maharashtra
How to Reach:
Trimbakeshwar is around 28 km from Nashik, and you can travel by road or train to reach Nashik. From Nashik, take a bus or taxi to Trimbak.
Historical Importance:
Trimbakeshwar is located at the foothills of the Trimbak Mountain and is known for its three-faced Shiva idol. The temple is famous for the Ganges‘ origin, as it is the source of the sacred river Godavari. The temple is also associated with the legend of Lord Shiva’s three manifestations: Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva.
- Nageshwar Jyotirlinga
Location: Dwarka, Gujarat
How to Reach:
Nageshwar is about 12 km from Dwarka and can be reached by road. The nearest railway station is Dwarka, and you can travel by bus or taxi from there.
Historical Importance:
Nageshwar is believed to be the place where Lord Shiva appeared as a Jyotirlinga to destroy the demon Daruka. The temple is located near the Arabian Sea and has a unique, powerful aura. It is considered one of the holiest shrines for those seeking relief from physical ailments, especially snake bites, as Nageshwar is associated with the serpent god Vasuki.
- Ramanathaswamy Jyotirlinga
Location: Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu
How to Reach:
Rameswaram is accessible by road, train, and air. The nearest railway station is Rameswaram, and the Madurai Airport is around 170 km away.
Historical Importance:
Ramanathaswamy Temple is located on the island of Rameswaram, which is part of the Ram Setu (Adam’s Bridge) believed to be the bridge built by Lord Rama to reach Lanka in Hindu mythology. The temple is famous for its long corridors and 22 freshwater wells, each with a unique healing property.
- Dwaraka Jyotirlinga
Location: Dwarka, Gujarat
How to Reach:
Dwaraka is about 440 km from Ahmedabad. The Dwarka Railway Station is well connected to major cities in Gujarat.
Historical Importance:
Dwaraka is considered the ancient kingdom of Lord Krishna. The Dwarakadhish temple is one of the most revered pilgrimage sites in Hinduism. The region is steeped in history, as it was once submerged under the sea, and today it remains a symbol of Lord Krishna’s divine kingdom.
- Aundha Nagnath Jyotirlinga
Location: Aundha, Haryana
How to Reach:
Aundha is around 36 km from Ambala and can be reached by road or rail.
Historical Importance:
The Aundha Nagnath temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva in the form of Nag or serpent. The temple is associated with the Mahabharata, where Lord Krishna is said to have killed a serpent king and built the temple as a place of worship for the serpent god. It is an important temple in Haryana.