12 Jyotirlingas in India: Name, history and locations

In Vedic traditions and Puranas, Jyotirlingas are believed to be the most sacred abodes of Lord Shiva. Interestingly, in most of these energy cores, Lord Shiva is worshipped in the Swayambhu form, which is basically a self-manifested Shiva Linga that emerged from the core of the earth.

There are 12 Jyotirlingas across India, and each shrine has a unique tale that has been woven with the threads of mythology, Vedic traditions and spiritual energy. Here’s an insight on some of the most powerful Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva. Read on to find out…

Somnath Jyotirlinga

Somnath Jyotirlinga is traditionally believed to be one of the first among the 12 Jyotirlingas and is known as ‘The Protector of the Moon God.’ As per Vedic traditions and mythology, Chandra, the Moon god worshipped Shiva here to free himself from the curse of waning given by his father-in-law, Daksha, after which Shiva took the form of a jyotirlinga and restored Chandra’s radiance for eternity.

Interestingly, the history of this temple is as unique as the temple itself.

The Somnath temple has been destroyed and rebuilt several times by various invaders, symbolizing the resilience of faith and devotion. It is located at Prabhas Patan near Veraval in the Gir Somnath district of Gujarat..

Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga

Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga is another powerful jyotirlinga that every married couple must visit once in a lifetime. Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga, also known as Sri Saila, is associated with the divine couple Shiva and Parvati and is revered as a place where both Jyotirlinga and Shakti Peetha coexist.

As per the age-old legend, Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati came to this hill when their son Kartikeya chose to reside there after feeling slighted during Ganesha’s marriage, and Shiva manifested as Mallikarjuna to console him.

This powerful temple is situated on the Srisailam hill on the banks of the Krishna River, in Andhra Pradesh’s Nandyal (earlier Kurnool) region. Architecturally rich with intricate carvings and a majestic gopuram, it is one of the most important Shaivite pilgrimage centers in South India.

Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga

Mahakaleshwar in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, is one of the most powerful Jyotirlingas, where Shiva is worshipped as Mahakal, the Lord of time and death. According to the Vedic texts, it is believed that Shiva appeared from the earth as a blazing light Swayambhu to protect the city of Avanti (Ujjain) and its devotees from a demon named Dushan, establishing himself as Mahakaleshwar. It is believed that visiting this temple embarks a new life path as the Shiva Linga here is considered swayambhu (self-manifested) and faces south, which is rare and associated with the god of death, Yama.

Located in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, on the banks of the Shipra River, the temple is also famous for its Brahma Muhurta Bhasma Aarti.

Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga

Another powerful Jyotirlinga is Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga in Madhya Pradesh. This jyotirlinga is in the sacred shape of “Om,” as the island on which the temple stands is naturally shaped like this symbol. According to legend, the Devas prayed to Shiva here to defeat the demon king Tripurasura, and he answered their prayers by appearing as Omkareshwar, the Lord of Om.

The temple stands on Mandhata (Shivapuri) island in the Narmada River in Khandwa district, Madhya Pradesh.

Devotees also visit the nearby Mamleshwar temple, and together these shrines make Omkareshwar a highly revered pilgrimage centre surrounded by serene river views.

Baidyanath (Vaidyanath) Jyotirlinga

Baidyanath Dham is associated with Lord Shiva as the divine healer or Vaidya (physician), it is believed that this place holds the power to heal ailments and pain.

As per the books of mythology, the demon king Ravana performed intense penance here, offering his ten heads to Shiva; pleased with his devotion, Shiva appeared, healed him, and manifested as Vaidyanath Jyotirlinga. This sacred temple complex, also called Baba Baidyanath Dham, is located in Deoghar in Jharkhand and includes multiple shrines dedicated to various deities.

Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga

Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga, Maharashtra, is linked to the slaying of the demon Bhimasura, who terrorized sages and devotees.

It is believed that Shiva incarnated here to destroy Bhimasura and, after the victory, rested as the Jyotirlinga, from which the Bhima River is said to have originated. The temple is nestled in the Sahyadri ranges in Bhimashankar village, near Pune in Maharashtra, surrounded by dense forests and wildlife.

The region is also declared a wildlife sanctuary, known as Dakini Van in scriptures, combining spiritual and natural beauty.

Rameshwaram Jyotirlinga

Rameshwaram Jyotirlinga, Tamil Nadu, in South India, is deeply connected with the Ramayana and Lord Rama’s journey. According to legend, after defeating Ravana in Lanka, Rama worshipped Shiva here to absolve the sin of killing a Brahmin (Ravana), establishing the Shiva Linga now revered as Ramanathaswamy. The temple is located on Rameswaram island in Tamil Nadu, near the southern tip of India, and is famed for its long pillared corridors and sacred wells.

Nageshwar Jyotirlinga

Nageshwar Jyotirlinga, Gujarat is associated with protection from poisons and negativity, with Shiva worshipped as the Lord of all serpents. One legend narrates that a devotee named Supriya was saved by Shiva from a demon called Daruka in a forest of serpents (Darukavan), after which Shiva established himself as Nageshwar.This Jyotirlinga is generally identified with the Nageshwar temple near Dwarka on the Gujarat coast, though some traditions also connect it with sites in Maharashtra and Uttarakhand.

The temple lies on the route between Dwarka and Beyt Dwarka and is an important part of the Dwarka pilgrimage circuit.

Kashi Vishwanath

Vishweshwara Jyotirlinga, also known as the Kashi Vishwanath Jyotirlinga, is undeniably one of the most revered Shiva temples, where he is worshipped as the Lord of the Universe. The mythology states that Kashi (Varanasi) is the city especially loved by Shiva, and those who die here attain liberation with his grace, making Vishwanath Jyotirlinga a magnet for seekers of moksha.The temple stands on the western bank of the Ganga in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited cities.

It has been rebuilt several times through history and today is part of a carefully developed corridor that connects it directly to the Ganga ghats.

Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga

Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga, Maharashtra, is closely linked to the origin of the sacred Godavari River, also called the Ganga of the South. The legend explains that the sage Gautama’s penance brought the Ganga down to earth here, and Shiva settled as Trimbakeshwar, blessing the region and its people.

Located near the town of Trimbak, about 30 km from Nashik in Maharashtra, this temple is architecturally distinctive with a black stone structure and a unique three-faced Linga representing Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva.

Kedarnath Jyotirlinga

Kedarnath Jyotirlinga, Uttarakhand is a high-altitude shrine in the Himalayas, associated with the Pandavas and the Mahabharata. Legends say that after the Kurukshetra war, the Pandavas sought Shiva’s forgiveness; he took the form of a bull and dived into the earth at Kedarnath, leaving the hump visible as the Jyotirlinga.The temple is located in Kedarnath town in Uttarakhand, near the Mandakini River, and is accessible only a few months of the year due to heavy snowfall.

Surrounded by snow-clad peaks, Kedarnath is part of the Chota Char Dham and is one of the most challenging yet deeply rewarding pilgrimages.

Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga

Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga, Maharashtra, is linked with a tale of unwavering devotion and the revival of faith. According to the legend in Shiva Purana, a pious woman named Grishna worshipped Shiva with deep devotion, and after many trials, Shiva appeared, revived her dead son, and took the name Grishneshwar in her honor.This temple is situated near the famous Ellora Caves in the Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar (Aurangabad) district of Maharashtra.