The Divine 12: A Guide to India’s Jyotirlingas

Jyotirlinga is a sacred symbol of Lord Shiva, representing the “linga” or phallus, which is considered a symbol of energy and the creative power of the universe. There are twelve Jyotirlingas spread across India, each with its own unique significance and history.

The Twelve Jyotirlingas are:

1. Somnath Jyotirlinga – located in Gujarat, this Jyotirlinga is believed to have been originally built by the Moon God himself.
2. Srisailam Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga – located in Andhra Pradesh, this Jyotirlinga is associated with the legend of Lord Shiva and Parvati’s marriage.
3. Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga – located in Madhya Pradesh, this Jyotirlinga is believed to be one of the most powerful and sacred of all Jyotirlingas.
4. Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga – located in Madhya Pradesh, this Jyotirlinga is associated with the story of Lord Shiva and a demon named Vindhya.
5. Kedarnath Jyotirlinga – located in Uttarakhand, this Jyotirlinga is associated with the story of the Pandavas from the Hindu epic Mahabharata.
6. Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga – located in Maharashtra, this Jyotirlinga is associated with the legend of Lord Shiva defeating the demon Bhima.
7. Kashi Vishwanath Jyotirlinga – located in Uttar Pradesh, this Jyotirlinga is considered one of the most sacred places of pilgrimage for Hindus.
8. Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga – located in Maharashtra, this Jyotirlinga is associated with the origin of the river Godavari.
9. Vaidyanath Jyotirlinga – located in Jharkhand, this Jyotirlinga is associated with the legend of Lord Shiva and the demon Ravana.
10. Nageshwar Jyotirlinga – located in Gujarat, this Jyotirlinga is associated with the story of Lord Shiva and the demon Daruka.
11. Rameshwaram Jyotirlinga – located in Tamil Nadu, this Jyotirlinga is associated with the story of Lord Rama and the construction of a bridge to Lanka.
12. Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga – located in Maharashtra, this Jyotirlinga is associated with the story of a devout woman named Kusuma who pleased Lord Shiva through her devotion.

These twelve Jyotirlingas are considered to be among the most sacred places of pilgrimage for Hindus and are believed to hold immense spiritual power and energy. Many Hindus make pilgrimages to these sites to offer prayers and seek blessings from Lord Shiva.