The Jyotirlingas are the most sacred of places of pilgrimage in Hinduism. These temples are dedicated to Lord Shiva and are believed to be the places where Shiva appeared as a divine pillar of light called a “Jyoti”. The word ‘Jyotirlinga’ is the combination of two Sanskrit words Jyoti meaning light and Linga the symbolic representation of Lord Shiva.
Hindu scriptures say that visiting the 12 Jyotirlingas is considered highly auspicious and spiritually rewarding. These temples are spread across India and attract millions of devotees every year. Besides religious importance Jyotirlingas are also famous for their history, architectural beauty & cultural importance.
What Is a Jyotirlinga?
A Jyotirlinga is a holy place of worship dedicated to Lord Shiva as a column of bright divine light. The Shiva Purana states that Lord Shiva once appeared in the form of an endless column of light to decide between Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu as to who was the greater. The places where this divine light is believed to appear are venerated as Jyotirlingas.
Complete List of 12 Jyotirlingas in India
Somnath Jyotirlinga – Gujarat
Somnath is situated at Prabhas Patan near Veraval in Gujarat and is said to be the first among the 12 Jyotirlingas. The temple is located on the Arabian Sea coast and has been of great historical significance. It has been destroyed and rebuilt countless times through the centuries, a testament to resilience and faith. The present structure is a fine example of Chalukyan style of architecture and attracts pilgrims from all over the world.
Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga – Andhra Pradesh
The Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga is located in the Srisailam hills of Andhra Pradesh. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. It is surrounded by picturesque forests and mountains. It is a Jyotirlinga and a Shakti Peetha, one of the few temples to be both. This makes the temple of special importance for devotees.
Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga – Madhya Pradesh
Mahakaleshwar is one of the most famous Jyotirlingas in India, situated in Ujjain. In this temple, the Shiva Linga faces the south, which is a very rare feature for a Shiva temple. The temple’s most famous ritual is the early morning Bhasma Aarti performed with sacred ash. It is celebrated by thousands of devotees every day.
Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga – Madhya Pradesh
Omkareshwar is located on Mandhata Island on the Narmada River. The island, which is thought to resemble the sacred Hindu symbol “Om,” is the namesake of the temple. The temple is an important spiritual destination and a major pilgrimage centre of central India surrounded by nature’s beauty.
Kedarnath Jyotirlinga – Uttarakhand
Kedarnath is one of the highest Jyotirlingas in India located in the Garhwal Himalayas in Uttarakhand. The temple, at an altitude of over 3,500 metres, is snow-covered for most of the year. It is also one of the four sacred Char Dham pilgrimage sites. The mountain scenery is amazing and adds to the spiritual atmosphere of the temple.
Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga – Maharashtra
Bhimashankar is situated in the Sahyadri Hills of Maharashtra. The temple is known for its serene environment and natural beauty. The temple is surrounded by thick forests and wildlife. It is believed that the temple is the source of the river Bhima, which further adds to the religious significance.
Kashi Vishwanath Jyotirlinga – Uttar Pradesh
Kashi Vishwanath, located in Varanasi, one of the oldest living cities in the world, is one of the holiest shrines of Shiva. Devotees believe that taking a dip in the Ganga River at the temple is a step towards spiritual salvation. The temple is still a major centre of Hindu faith and learning.
Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga – Maharashtra
Trimbakeshwar, near Nashik, is famous for the source of Godavari, the second-longest river in India. This temple is the only one among all the Jyotirlingas which has a special Shiva Linga, that signifies Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva all at once.
Vaidyanath Jyotirlinga - Jharkhand
Vaidyanath Jyotirlinga is situated at Deoghar, Jharkhand. It is also called Baba Baidyanath Dham and is one of the most important pilgrimage places of eastern India. Every year millions of devotees take part in the Shravan Mela and offer the holy water to Lord Shiva.
Nageshwar Jyotirlinga – Gujarat
Nageshwar Jyotirlinga is located near Dwarka in Gujarat. Legends around the temple highlight Lord Shiva’s role as the protector of devotees. It is also famous for its huge statue of Shiva which is a tourist attraction.
Rameshwaram Jyotirlinga – Tamil Nadu
This Jyotirlinga is situated on Rameswaram Island in Tamil Nadu and is strongly associated with the Ramayana. It is said that Lord Rama prayed to Lord Shiva here before crossing over to Lanka. The temple is renowned for its grand corridors which are among the longest in any Hindu temple.
Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga – Maharashtra
The twelfth Jyotirlinga is Grishneshwar, located close to the Ellora Caves of Maharashtra. It is smaller than some other Jyotirlinga temples but is of great religious importance. The temple architecture is a combination of traditional South Indian influences and draws thousands of pilgrims every year.
Which State Has the Most Jyotirlingas?
Maharashtra has the most number of Jyotirlingas in India. The state has three Jyotirlingas, namely Bhimashankar, Trimbakeshwar and Grishneshwar. This makes Maharashtra one of the most popular destinations for Shiva devotees.
Which Is the Oldest Jyotirlinga?
Somnath is believed to be the oldest Jyotirlinga. According to historical records and religious texts, it is one of the oldest Shiva temples in India. The temple has seen centuries of history and remains a symbol of devotion and resilience.
Which Is the Highest Jyotirlinga?
Kedarnath is the highest Jyotirlinga located in the Himalayan region of Uttarakhand. The remoteness of the location and the arduous terrain make the pilgrimage physically demanding but the spiritual rewards are immense.
Jyotirlingas in Competitive Exams
Questions related to Jyotirlingas are frequently asked in government examinations such as SSC, UPSC, Railway Recruitment Board (RRB), State PSCs, Banking exams, and various teaching recruitment tests. These questions generally focus on the location, state, historical significance, and unique features of the 12 Jyotirlingas.
Some examples of questions that have appeared in competitive exams over the years include:
Which state has the highest number of Jyotirlingas?
Answer: Maharashtra
Kedarnath Jyotirlinga is located in which state?
Answer: Uttarakhand
Which Jyotirlinga is situated on an island in the Narmada River?
Answer: Omkareshwar
Kashi Vishwanath Jyotirlinga is located in which city?
Answer: Varanasi
Which Jyotirlinga is associated with the origin of the Godavari River?
Answer: Trimbakeshwar
Somnath Jyotirlinga is located in which state?
Answer: Gujarat
Which Jyotirlinga is also one of the Char Dham pilgrimage sites?
Answer: Kedarnath