What are the Jyotirlingas?
*Jyotirlinga* (ज्योतिर्लिंग) means the "Radiant Sign of Lord Shiva" — *jyotir* (divine light) + *linga* (form). According to Hindu tradition, there are 64 Lingas but 12 are *Jyotirlinga* — where Lord Shiva manifested himself as an infinite pillar of light (*jyotistambha*) to settle the dispute between Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu about supremacy. These 12 are the most sacred Shiva pilgrimage sites in India.
The 12 Jyotirlingas — Complete List
1. Somnath — Prabhas Patan, Gujarat The first and most celebrated Jyotirlinga, Somnath is where the Moon God (Chandra) built a golden temple to honor Shiva after being freed from a curse. The temple has been destroyed and rebuilt 7 times — a testament to the enduring faith of devotees. Located on the Arabian Sea coast. - **Darshan Timings**: 6:00 AM – 9:00 PM - **Special**: Bhasma Aarti, Aarti three times daily, Light & Sound show at 8 PM
2. Mallikarjuna — Srisailam, Andhra Pradesh The only Jyotirlinga that coexists with a Shakti Peetha (Bhramaramba Devi). Perched on the Nallamala Hills, this is where Lord Kartikeya is believed to have resided. Only Jyotirlinga in South India. - **Darshan Timings**: 5:30 AM – 9:30 PM
3. Mahakaleshwar — Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh The only south-facing (*Dakshinamukhi*) Jyotirlinga — considered the most powerful. Famous for the Bhasma Aarti at 4 AM, performed with sacred ash. Ujjain is one of the seven sacred cities (*Sapta Puri*) of Hinduism. - **Darshan Timings**: 4:00 AM – 11:00 PM - **Special**: Bhasma Aarti tickets must be booked in advance online
4. Omkareshwar — Omkareshwar, Madhya Pradesh Situated on an island naturally shaped like the Om symbol in the Narmada River. Uniquely houses two Jyotirlingas: Omkareshwar and Mamleshwar (Amaleshwar). The 4-km island parikrama is performed by pilgrims. - **Darshan Timings**: 5:00 AM – 10:00 PM
5. Kedarnath — Kedarnath, Uttarakhand One of the Char Dham sites at 3,583 m in the Himalayas. The temple is believed to be built by the Pandavas. Open only from Akshaya Tritiya (Apr/May) to Kartik Purnima (Nov). The deity's winter abode is Ukhimath. - **Darshan Timings**: 4:00 AM – 3:00 PM, 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM - **Best Season**: June – September
6. Bhimashankar — Pune, Maharashtra Located in the Sahyadri Hills inside the Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary. Where Lord Shiva destroyed the demon Tripurasura. The Sahyadri *malabar giant squirrel* — India's national animal — is found here. - **Darshan Timings**: 5:00 AM – 9:30 PM
7. Kashi Vishwanath — Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh The most sacred of all Jyotirlingas, located in the eternal city of Varanasi on the banks of the Ganges. Moksha (liberation) is believed to be attained by dying in Varanasi. The temple corridor shimmers with gold donated by Maharaja Ranjit Singh. - **Darshan Timings**: 3:00 AM – 11:00 PM - **Special**: 4 aartis daily; new Kashi Corridor expanded darshan experience
8. Trimbakeshwar — Nashik, Maharashtra At the source of the sacred Godavari River. Unique Shivalinga with three faces representing Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. Kumbh Mela is held here (Nashik) every 12 years. - **Darshan Timings**: 5:30 AM – 9:00 PM
9. Vaidyanath (Baidyanath) — Deoghar, Jharkhand Where Ravana offered his 10 heads to Shiva to please him. During Shravan month, millions of devotees carry *kanwars* (holy water from Sultanganj, 105 km away) on foot to offer here. One of the most crowded pilgrimage sites in India. - **Darshan Timings**: 4:00 AM – 9:00 PM
10. Nageshvara — Dwarka, Gujarat Where Shiva saved the devoted Supriya from the demon Daruka. A 25-metre Shiva statue stands outside. "Nageshvara" means the Lord of Serpents. Located near Dwarka — one of the Char Dhams. - **Darshan Timings**: 6:00 AM – 9:00 PM
11. Ramanathaswamy — Rameshwaram, Tamil Nadu Lord Ram consecrated this Shivalinga before crossing to Lanka. Has the longest temple corridor in India — 1,212 meters with 1,000 pillars. The island of Rameshwaram is connected to mainland India by the Pamban Bridge. - **Darshan Timings**: 5:00 AM – 9:00 PM
12. Grishneshwar — Aurangabad, Maharashtra The last of the 12 Jyotirlingas. A red stone temple built by Rani Ahilyabai Holkar. Located near the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ellora Caves — visit both on the same trip. - **Darshan Timings**: 5:30 AM – 9:30 PM
Pilgrimage Tips
- The Jyotirlinga Yatra is believed to fulfill all wishes and lead to liberation
- Start from Somnath (westernmost) and go clockwise through India
- Best months: October–March (avoiding extreme cold in Himalayan temples)
- Kedarnath and Badrinath require advance booking for helicopter/trekking
Watch live darshan from all 12 Jyotirlingas on the Sanatan Sangam app.
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