12 Jyotirlingas
Twelve sacred Shiva lingams of radiant light mentioned in the Shiva Purana
| # | Temple | Location | State | Deity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Somnath Temple | Prabhas Patan (Veraval) | Gujarat | Shiva |
| 2 | Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple | Srisailam | Andhra Pradesh | Shiva |
| 3 | Mahakaleshwar Temple | Ujjain | Madhya Pradesh | Shiva |
| 4 | Omkareshwar Temple | Omkareshwar (Mandhata Island) | Madhya Pradesh | Shiva |
| 5 | Kedarnath Temple | Kedarnath | Uttarakhand | Shiva |
| 6 | Bhimashankar Temple | Bhimashankar | Maharashtra | Shiva |
| 7 | Kashi Vishwanath Temple | Varanasi | Uttar Pradesh | Shiva |
| 8 | Trimbakeshwar Temple | Trimbak | Maharashtra | Shiva |
| 9 | Baidyanath Temple | Deoghar | Jharkhand | Shiva |
| 10 | Nageshwar Temple | Dwarka | Gujarat | Shiva |
| 11 | Ramanathaswamy Temple | Rameswaram | Tamil Nadu | Shiva |
| 12 | Grishneshwar Temple | Verul (Ellora) | Maharashtra | Shiva |
About Each Temple
Somnath Temple
Somnath represents the compassion of Shiva who can reverse even the most devastating curses. The waxing and waning of the moon is eternally connected to this temple, making every Purnima (full moon) and Amavasya (new moon) a reminder of Somnath. Being the first Jyotirlinga, it holds primacy in the entire circuit.
Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple
Srisailam represents the parental love of Shiva and Parvati — they manifest here eternally waiting for their son. It is the only site in India that is simultaneously a Jyotirlinga and a Shakti Peetha, representing the inseparable union of Shiva and Shakti. The hilltop forest setting symbolizes Shiva's preference for wild, untouched nature.
Mahakaleshwar Temple
Mahakaleshwar represents Shiva as the sovereign of Time (Kala) and the conqueror of Death (Mrityu). The south-facing (Dakshinamurti) lingam is associated with Shiva as the supreme teacher and as Yama (death) — facing south symbolizes mastery over death itself. The underground sanctum represents the subterranean power of Shiva. Ujjain is also the reference point for the Hindu prime meridian and is central to Hindu astronomical traditions.
Omkareshwar Temple
Omkareshwar represents Shiva as the embodiment of the Pranava (Om), the primordial sound from which all creation emerged. The island's natural Om shape is considered a cosmic sign. The Narmada River itself is considered the most sacred river for Shiva worship — its every pebble is revered as a Shivalinga. Having two manifestations (Omkareshwar and Amareshwar) at one site represents the dual nature of the divine — accessible to both gods and demons, the righteous and the seeking.
Kedarnath Temple
Kedarnath represents atonement and divine forgiveness — even the sin of fratricidal war can be absolved through sincere devotion and arduous pilgrimage. The extreme altitude and difficult trek symbolize the effort required for spiritual redemption. As simultaneously a Jyotirlinga, Chota Char Dham, and Panch Kedar site, Kedarnath holds a triple significance unmatched by any other Hindu temple. The triangular lingam representing the bull's hump is unique among all Shiva temples.
Bhimashankar Temple
Bhimashankar represents Shiva as the protector of his devotees — he manifests personally when a devotee is threatened. The story also teaches that misguided rage and desire for vengeance lead to destruction. The origin of the Bhima River from Shiva's sweat connects the geography of the Deccan to sacred mythology. The temple's location in the dense Western Ghats forest reflects Shiva's association with wild, untamed nature.
Kashi Vishwanath Temple
Kashi Vishwanath is considered the holiest of all Shiva temples. The city of Kashi (Varanasi) is regarded as the spiritual capital of India. It is believed that Shiva himself presides here as the lord of all creation, and that the city exists outside the cycle of creation and dissolution. Moksha (liberation from the cycle of birth and death) is guaranteed to anyone who dies within the sacred boundary of Kashi.
Trimbakeshwar Temple
Trimbakeshwar is one of the rare jyotirlingas where the lingam has three faces (Brahma, Vishnu, Mahesh). The temple is the origin point of the Godavari, one of India's most sacred rivers. The Kushavarta Kund here is considered equivalent in sanctity to Ganga at Haridwar. Trimbakeshwar is also one of four places where the Kumbh Mela (Simhastha) is held every 12 years.
Baidyanath Temple
Vaidyanath is considered the divine physician — devotees come here seeking relief from diseases and ailments. The lingam here is also called 'Kamana Lingam' (wish-fulfilling lingam). The temple complex houses 21 other temples, making it a complete pilgrimage in itself. The Shrawan Mela, when devotees carry Ganga water from Sultanganj to pour on the lingam, is one of the largest annual gatherings in India.
Nageshwar Temple
Nageshwar is considered a protector from all poisons — both physical (snake venom) and spiritual (negativity, evil influences). The Shiva Purana declares that one who worships at Nageshwar is freed from all types of poison. The temple also symbolizes Shiva's supremacy over fear and death, as he protected his devotee even in the realm of demons.
Ramanathaswamy Temple
Ramanathaswamy is unique among jyotirlingas because it was installed by Lord Vishnu's avatar Rama himself, making it a bridge between Shaivism and Vaishnavism. It demonstrates that even Vishnu worships Shiva, and that Shiva worship is the remedy for even the most grievous sins. The temple is considered the southern Char Dham and is believed to absolve all sins. Bathing in the 22 theerthams (sacred wells) within the temple is considered equivalent to bathing in all the sacred rivers of India.
Grishneshwar Temple
Grishneshwar is the last (12th) of the jyotirlingas, and its story carries a powerful teaching about unwavering faith and the power of forgiveness. Ghushma's story shows that true devotion transcends even the most terrible personal tragedy, and that compassion for one's enemies is the highest spiritual virtue. The temple teaches that Shiva responds not just to devotion but to the quality of a devotee's heart.