About 12 Jyotirlingas | Must Visit Shiva Temples

Jyotirlinga means “jyothi,” which stands for “radiance,” and “linga,” which means “phallus.” These Jyotirlingas are thought to be different forms of Lord Shiva. There are 12 Jyotirlingas located in different parts of India, and Hindu devotees from all over the country visit each of them on their spiritual journeys. So, if you’re planning to go on a spiritual journey, you can start with these Jyotirlingas, which are as divine as the presence of God himself.

These places not only give spiritual insight and blessings but are also incredibly beautiful and calm. No matter which one you decide to visit, you’ll realize that pictures of the 12 Jyotirlingas don’t capture their true magnificence.

The prime and chief Hindu deity, Shiva, is a Yogi who watches out for everything that happens on the planet furthermore is the principal part of life. He has an extraordinary perfect power yet carries on with an existence of sage at blessed heaven specifically Mount Kailash. Being an incomparable force and the God of the Hindu religion, Shiva predominantly takes care of five vital and his own one-of-a-kind works Creation, Preservation, Destruction, Cancellation, and Revelation. As indicated by the notable Smart convention, Shiva is considered one of the five key types of God. Hindu Religion devotees who see themselves as the worshippers of Shiva are famously referred to among the spiritual group as Shaivites or Shaivas.

There are 12 Jyotirlingas located in different parts of India. Here are their names and locations:

1. Somnath Jyotirlinga – Located in Veraval, Gujarat
2. Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga – Located in Srisailam, Andhra Pradesh
3. Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga – Located in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh
4. Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga – Located in Omkareshwar, Madhya Pradesh
5. Kedarnath Jyotirlinga – Located in Kedarnath, Uttarakhand
6. Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga – Located in Pune, Maharashtra
7. Viswanath Jyotirlinga – Located in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
8. Triambakeshwar or Tryambakeshwar Jyotirlinga – Located in Nashik, Maharashtra
9. Vaidyanath Jyotirlinga – Located in Deoghar, Jharkhand
10. Nageshwar Jyotirlinga – Located in Dwarka, Gujarat
11. Rameshwaram Jyotirlinga – Located in Rameshwaram, Tamil Nadu
12. Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga – Located in Aurangabad, Maharashtra

These 12 Jyotirlingas are spread across different regions of India and are considered to be among the holiest sites in Hinduism. Each Jyotirlinga has a unique significance and is associated with its mythology and history.

About 12 Shiva Temples in India:

This is clear that a nation like India which is brimming with spiritual groups and worshippers has endless holy dwelling places for Shiva. These sincere shacks of the Hindu God, Shiva, are scattered crosswise over different corners of the nation. However, the most capable and pined among them are the 12 Jyotirlingas. Some of them are questioned, so the aggregate goes up to 15 or 16. Here, we have attempted to set out the most acknowledged ones.

1) Somnath Temple:

Located in the Prabhas Kshetra in Saurashtra, the Somnath is one of the 12 Jyotirlingam sanctums of Shiva. Set on the western coastal lines of India, Somnath is said to be “the defender of (the) Moon God”. The popular holy place of worship of Somnath had been devastated and modified six times. Consequently, it is prominently known as “the Shrine Interminable”. The famous Shiva house was remade and redid last time in 1947 when Vallabhbhai Patel went by the sacred spot. K.M. Munshi, another Indian Government Minister, proceeded with the way toward remaking after the death of Vallabhbhai Patel.

Somnath Temple Timings:

The temple is open every day from 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM. Aarti ceremonies are held at 7:00 AM, 12:00 noon, and 7:00 PM. The well-known light and sound show, called ‘Joy Somnath,’ occurs every evening from 8:00 PM to 9:00 PM.

2) Mahakaleshwar Temple:

Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the temple of Mahakaleshwar is arranged in the city of Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh. It’s broadly said to be one of the 12 Jyotirlingas which are thought to be the most blessed houses of Shiva. The Shiva temple looks exciting as it is situated on the banks of Rudra Sagar Lake. The spiritual groups in the region know the deity, Shiva, as Swayambhu.

Mahakaleshwar Temple Timings:

4:00 AM to 11:00 PM. Darshan Timings 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM,10:30 AM to 5:00 PM, 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM and 8:00 PM to 11:00 PM.

3) Omkareshwar Temple:

The holy Shiva temple of Omkareshwar is another adored Jyotirlingam Shrine of Shiva. The establishment of the famous Omkareshwar temple has been laid on the Hindu-image-formed Island, called Mandhata or Shivapuri. This island, settled in the water of the Narmada River, houses another temple separated from Omkareshwar (“Lord of Omkaara or the Lord of the Om Sound”). The purified Amareshwar (“Immortal ruler” or “master of the Immortals or Devas”) temple, based on the same island, is another Shiva residence.

Omkareshwar Temple Timings:

5:00 AM to 10:00 PM. Darshan Timings Darshan is between 5:30 AM to 12:20 PM and 4:00 PM to 8:30 PM.

4) Kedarnath Temple:

Located on the Himalayan Range, in the extended area close to the Mandakini River in Kedarnath, the sacred Kedarnath temple is devoted to the Hindu deity, Shiva and is one of the great temples of India. Endless quantities of pioneers need to get to the temple however numerous can’t get to this sacred reason because of the amazing climate conditions. The temple stays open for the devotees during April-Kartuk Purnima (The autumn full moon). During winters the symbol of the temple is presented to the distance to Ukhimath. Devotees pay tribute to the deity here for six months.

The temple, be that as it may, is not directly accessed by road. Trekkers and travelers appreciate a 14 km tough trek from Gaurikund to achieve the wanted destination. Worked by Adi Sankaracharya, it is the holiest Hindu temple of Shiva. The old temple really was there since the time of Mahabharata. It is trusted that the temple was developed when Pandavas could effectively fulfill Shiva by doing penance in Kedarnath.

Kedarnath temple Timings:

4:00 AM to 12 Noon and 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM

5) Bhimashankar Temple:

The Shiradhon Village, around 50 km away towards the northwest side of Khed, houses the holy Hindu journey point, Bhimshankar temple. It is the eminent source of the Bhima River which meets with the water stream of the Krishna River at Raichur. Other than Bhimashankar temple, the different famous temples of Maharashtra are Trimbakeshwara (Near Nashik) and Grishneshwar (Near Ellora).

Bhimashankar Temple Timings:

The temple is open 7 days a week from 4:30 AM to 12:00 noon and from 4:00 PM to 9:30 PM. Darshan (worship) begins at 5:00 AM and continues until 9:30 PM.

6) Kashi Vishwanath Temple:

Every Hindu devotee is relied upon to visit the sacred temple of Varanasi. Spiritual individuals who visit Kashi Vishwanath temple diffuse cinders of the expired progenitors in the blessed River Ganges. One of the 12 Jyotirlingams of India, the temple of Kashi Vishwanath, is situated on the western banks of the River Ganges. The central god who is living in the sacred position of royalty is known as Vishwanath (The leader of the Universe) in the vicinity. The city, Kashi where the temple is situated, has a background marked by 3500 years. Because of the presence of the 15.5-meter-high Golden Tower, worked by Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the leader of Lahore, the blessed Vishwanath temple is called the Golden Temple.

The present structure of the temple is situated next to the Gyanvapi Mosque which was the genuine spot of the ancient temple. The temple had been crushed and reproduced various times. The present structure, be that as it may, was raised by the Maratha monarch, Ahilya Bai Holkar of Indore in 1780. The Government of Uttar Pradesh has been dealing with the temple since 1983. The main minister, Kashi Naresh, the ruler of Kashi, is only permitted to get to the Sanctum Sanctorum during religious events like Shivaratri. Others can get inside the Sanctorum only after performing their holy religious functions.

Kashi Vishwanath Temple Timings:

The temple is open from 2:30 AM to 11:00 PM. Below are the daily ritual timings.
Mangala Aarti: 3:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Sarva Darshan: 4 :00AM to 11:00 AM
Bhog Aarti: 11:15 AM to 12:20 PM
Sarva Darshan: 12:20 PM to 7:00 PM
Sandhya Aarti: 7:00 PM to 8:15 PM
Shringara Aarti: 9:00 PM to 10:15 PM
Shayana Aarti: 10:30 PM to 11:00 PM

7) Trimbakeshwar Temple:

About 28 km far from the city of Nasik, the Trambakeshwar temple is Hindu heaven in Trimbak of Nashik District. Devoted to Lord Shiva, the same number of other holy journey purposes of India, Trambakeshwar is one of 12 hallowed Jyotirlingams of Shiva. The temple really is situated at the source of the loved Godavari River which is adored by a vast gathering of Hindu explorers in India. Various banks of this stream are viewed as sacred washing places for travelers.

Trimbakeshwar Temple Timings:

From  5:30 AM to 9:00 PM on all days.

8) Rameshwaram Ramanathaswamy Temple:

Located on the island of Rameshwaram, in the compelling southern corner of India, the sacred temple of Ramanathaswamy is a celestial paradise where incalculable devotees assemble to pay tributes to the blessed Hindu god, Shiva. There is the temple which had been celebrated by the tunes of three of the most adored Nayanars-Appars, Sundarar and Tirugnana Sambandar. Worked during the twelfth century by Pandya tradition, the temple gladly showcases the longest passage among all the Hindu temples of India. Both the Shaivites and Vaishnavites people group consider this a blessed spot. This is one of the twelve Jyotirlingams of Shiva also.

Rameshwaram Temple Timings:

From 5:00 AM to 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Till 8:00 PM darshan is allowed.

9) Grishneshwar Temple:

About 11 km from Daulatabad, the holy Grishneshwar is a perfect heaven that is devoted to Shiva. Situated close to the eminent Ellora holes, the Grishneshwar is one of the twelve Jyotirlingams of Shiva too. The Grishneshwar Temple is a remarkable place. It has a tall red rock building with five floors in a special style called Shikhara. Inside, there are carvings showing Gods and Goddesses, and a very big statue of a bull called Nandi in the main hall. This temple is mentioned in the Shiva Purana. It’s close to the Ajanta and Ellora caves. A queen named Ahilyabai Holkar built it. People also call it Gru Someswara and Kusum Eswarar. One of the special things inside is a carving of Vishnu’s Dashavatar on red rock, and it really amazes everyone who sees it. One of the best places in Aurangabad.

Grishneshwar Temple Timings

The temple is open for darshan and puja from 5:30 AM to 9:30 PM. During the month of Shravan, darshan timings are from 3 PM to 11 PM. Typically, darshan lasts around a couple of hours. However, in the month of Shravan, when there is a high number of visitors, darshan can take about 6 to 8 hours to complete.

10) Vaidyanath/Baidyanath Temple:

Well-known as the Baba Dham in the propinquity, Vaidyanath, is one of the most sacred Shiva dwellings places in India. There are considerable measures of disarrays that float around the careful area of the Vaidyanath temple (Deogarh, Parli and Baijnath).

Vaidyanath Timings

The temple is open on all seven days from 4:00 AM to 3:30 PM and from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Maha Shivaratri, darshan timings are stretched during special religious occasions.

11) Nageshwara Temple:

Believed as the primary Jyotirlingam on Earth, Nageshvara is another Jyotirlingam of Lord Shiva. The name of this altar was also found in the Shiva Purana. Three indistinguishable altars take after the structure of this Jyotirlingas. Three of these indistinguishable places of worship in India are Jageshwar temple (Uttarakhand), Nageshwara temple (Gujarat), and Nagnath temple (Maharashtra).

Nageshwara Temple Timing:

The temple is open from 5:00 AM to 9:00 PM on all days. Devotees can have darshan (worship) between 6:00 AM to 12:30 PM and 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM.

12) Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple:

Known as the “Kailash of the South” among the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva in India, the Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga temple is situated on top of Shri Saila Mountain, by the banks of the River Krishna. The temple is very beautiful with special designs and sculptures. It has decorated pillars called gopurams and a big hall called Mukha mandapa. Inside the temple, there are statues of Lord Shiva and Bhramaramba or Parvati. This temple is also listed as one of the 52 Shakti Peeths dedicated to Sati.

Mallikarjuna Temple Timing:

The temple is open from 4:30 AM to 10:00 PM every day. Darshan is from 6:30 AM to 1:00 PM and 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM.