12 Jyotirlingas in India

India, a land of spirituality and devotion, is home to the 12 Jyotirlingas, which are considered the holiest abodes of Lord Shiva. These 12 Jyotirlingas in India symbolize the infinite nature of Shiva and hold immense religious significance for Hindus. According to mythology, Lord Shiva appeared as a column of divine light at these places, making them centres of power and devotion.

12 Jyotirlinga in India - Temples of Shiva

Let’s take a journey to discover the 12 Jyotirlinga in India. From the famous Somnath Temple in Gujarat to the serene Trimbakeshwar Temple in Maharashtra, each of these Jyotirlingas has a unique history, significance, and charm that will leave you spellbound.

So, get ready to embark on a spiritual journey to the most sacred shrines of Lord Shiva in India!

Significance of Jyotirlingas

The term Jyotirlinga means “Lingam of Light”. It is believed that these 12 shrines are self-manifested forms of Lord Shiva, where devotees seek spiritual liberation and divine blessings. Each Jyotirlinga has a unique legend associated with it, reinforcing the omnipresence and magnificence of Shiva.
These 12 Jyotirlingas in India are considered as the most sacred and powerful abodes of Lord Shiva, and they are spread across different parts of India.

12 JYOTIRLINGA’S ORDERWISE	NAMES OF JYOTIRLINGA’S	STATE
First Jyotirlinga	Shree Somnath Jyotirlinga	Veraval (Somnath) - Gujarat
Second Jyotirlinga	Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga	Srisailam - Andhra Pradesh
Third Jyotirlinga	Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga	Jaisinghpura, Ujjain - Madhya Pradesh
Fourth Jyotirlinga	Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga	Khandwa - Madhya Pradesh
Fifth Jyotirlinga	Kedarnath Temple	Kedarnath, Rudraprayag - Uttarakhand
Sixth Jyotirlinga	Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga	Bhimashankar, Pune - Maharashtra
Seventh Jyotirlinga	Kashi Vishwanath Jyotirlinga	Lahori Tola, Varanasi - Uttar Pradesh
Eighth Jyotirlinga	Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga	Shrimant Peshwe Path, Trimbak - Maharashtra
Ninth Jyotirlinga	Nageshwar Jyotirlinga	Daarukavanam, Devbhumi Dwarika - Gujarat
Tenth Jyotirlinga	Baidyanath Jyotirlinga	Shivganga Muhalla, Dardmara - Jharkhand
Eleventh Jyotirlinga	Rameshwaram Jyotirlinga	Rameswaram - Tamil Nadu
Twelfth Jyotirlinga	Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga	Aurangabad - Maharashtra

1. Somnath Temple, Gujarat

Location: Prabhas Patan, near Veraval, Gujarat

The first and most revered Jyotirlinga, Somnath is believed to have been built by Chandra (Moon God). It has been destroyed and rebuilt multiple times due to invasions but remains an enduring symbol of faith.

Somnath Temple Timings

The temple is open for darshan for the devotees from 6 am to 10 pm.
The aarti in the temple happens thrice daily, i.e., at 7 am, 12 noon, and 7 pm.
Light and sound show timings : 8 pm to 9pm

How to Reach Somnath Jyotirlinga

By Air: The nearest airport is Diu Airport (80 km).
By Train: Veraval Railway Station (7 km) is the closest.
By Road: Well-connected via Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation (GSRTC) buses.

2. Mallikarjuna Temple, Andhra Pradesh

Location: Srisailam, Andhra Pradesh

This temple, situated on Srisailam Hill, is revered as a Shakti Peetha as well. It represents the union of Shiva and Shakti.

Mallikarjuna jyotirlinga temple timings

The darshan, abhishekam, and archanas by the devotees starts from 6:30 am and ends at 1 pm. These also happen in the evening from 6.20 pm to 9.00 pm.

How to Reach Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga

By Air: Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Hyderabad (190 km).
By Train: Nearest railway station is Markapur Road (85 km).
By Road: AP State Road Transport buses connect major cities.

3. Mahakaleshwar Temple, Madhya Pradesh

Location: Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh

The only Dakshinamukhi (south-facing) Jyotirlinga, known for its Bhasma Aarti, performed using sacred ash.

How to Reach Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga

By Air: Indore Airport (55 km).
By Train: Ujjain Junction is well-connected.
By Road: State and private buses operate frequently.

Mahakaleshwar Temple Timings

The temple is open for devotees from 4 am to 11 pm. Don’t miss out on the Bhashma aarti which happens from 4 am to 6 am. You can also attend the morning aarti (7 am to 7:30 am) or the evening aarti (5 pm to 5:30 pm).

4. Omkareshwar Temple and Mamleshwar Temple, Madhya Pradesh

Location: Mandhata Island, Narmada River, Madhya Pradesh

Significance: Shaped like the Om (ॐ) symbol, emphasizing the cosmic presence of Shiva.

Omkareshwar Temple Timings

The temple is open all day for darshan from 5:00 am to 9:30 am.

How to Reach Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga

By Air: Indore Airport (80 km).
By Train: The nearest station is Omkareshwar Road (12 km).
By Road: Connected by buses from Indore and Ujjain.

5. Baidyanath Dham, Jharkhand

Location: Deoghar, Jharkhand
Also known as Baba Baidyanath, it is believed to have healing powers and associated with Ravana’s devotion to Shiva.

Baidyanath Temple Timings

The morning darshan happens from 4 am to 1:30 pm. The evening darshan takes place from 6 pm to 9 pm.

How to Reach Baidyanath Jyotirlinga

By Air: Deoghar Airport (7 km).
By Train: Jasidih Junction (7 km).
By Road: Buses available from Ranchi and Patna.

6. Bhimashankar Temple, Maharashtra

Location: Pune, Maharashtra

Associated with Lord Shiva’s battle against the demon Tripurasura, nestled in the Sahyadri Hills, surrounded by lush greenery.

Bhimashankar Temple Timings

The temple opens at 4:30 am, and regular pooja and Abhishek commences from 5:30 am. From 3:30 pm onwards, the Shringar darshan starts. Please note that it might take 2 to 2.5 hours for the darshan, depending on the crowd.

How to Reach Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga

By Air: Pune Airport (110 km).
By Train: Pune Railway Station (120 km).
By Road: State transport buses operate frequently.

7. Ramanathaswamy Temple, Tamil Nadu

Location: Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu

Associated with Lord Rama, who worshipped Shiva here before crossing to Lanka.

Ramanathaswamy Temple Timings

In the morning, the temple remains open from 5 am to 1 pm. In the evening, the temple opens for pilgrims at 3 pm and closes at 9 pm.

How to Reach Rameshwar Jyotirlinga

By Air: Madurai Airport (174 km).
By Train: Rameswaram Railway Station is well-connected.
By Road: Tamil Nadu buses available.

8. Nageshwar Temple, Gujarat

Location: Near Dwarka, Gujarat

Represents protection from all forms of negativity and evil forces.

Nageshwar Temple Timings

The temple opens at 5:30 am and you can offer prayers early in the morning. Don’t miss out on the Maha Bhog aarti from 12 noon to 12:30 pm. Please note that the temple closes at 9 pm.

How to Reach Nageshwar Jyotirlinga

By Air: Jamnagar Airport (137 km).
By Train: Dwarka Railway Station (16 km).
By Road: Accessible by bus from major cities.

9. Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Uttar Pradesh

Location: Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh

Located in the spiritual capital of India, this temple is considered the holiest of all Shiva temples.

Kashi Vishwanath Temple Timings

The Mangla aarti takes place everyday from 3 am to 4 am, whereas the Bhog aarti takes place from 11:15 am to 12:20 pm. If you want to witness the night Shringar, it happens from 9 pm to 10:15 pm, and if you wish to get the Rudrabhishek done by the Shastri, it can happen at any time, from 4 am to 6 pm.

How to Reach Kashi Vishwanath Jyotirlinga

By Air: the nearest airport is the Lal Bahadur Shastri Airport, Varanasi (25 km).
By Train: Varanasi Junction is well-connected.
By Road: Frequent buses from major cities.

10. Trimbakeshwar Temple, Maharashtra

Location: Nashik, Maharashtra

Linked to the origin of the Godavari River, making it an important pilgrimage site.

Trimbakeshwar Temple Timings

The temple remains open from 7 am to 8 pm. Depending on the crowd, it can take you 2-2.5 hours for the main darshan. If you want to go ahead with a VIP Darshan Pass, it will cost you around Rs. 200 and is available at the main gate of the temple.

How to Reach Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga

By Air: Mumbai Airport (170 km).
By Train: Nashik Road Railway Station (28 km).
By Road: Well-connected via buses.

11. Kedarnath Temple, Uttarakhand

Location: Kedarnath, Uttarakhand

One of the most difficult pilgrimages, Kedarnath is located in the Himalayas and is accessible only for six months due to extreme weather.

Kedarnath Temple Timings

The temple opens at 7 am and closes during lunchtime. The evening aarti commences around 6 pm.

The doors of Kedarnath temple generally opens from May to November.

How to Reach Kedarnath Jyotirlinga

By Air: Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun (239 km).
By Train: Nearest railway station is Rishikesh (216 km).
By Road: Trekking from Gaurikund (16 km) or helicopter services available.

12. Grishneshwar Temple, Maharashtra

Location: Ellora, Maharashtra

The smallest Jyotirlinga, located near the famous Ellora Caves, symbolizing devotion and humility.

Grineshwar Temple Timings

You can offer prayers any time during the day from 5:30 am to 9:30 pm. The afternoon puja timings are 1 pm to 1:30 pm. In the evening, the puja happens from 4 pm to 5:30 pm.

How to Reach Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga

By Air: Aurangabad Airport (15 km).
By Train: Aurangabad Railway Station (30 km).
By Road: Buses and taxis operate frequently.

18-20 days Itinerary to plan 12 jyotirlingas of India

Day 1-4: Maharashtra & Gujarat

Take a flight to Pune and then travel by road to Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga (130 km from Pune)
Take a cab from Pune to Nashik approx. 5 hrs to Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga
From Nashik, take a cab to Aurangabad for 4 hrs to Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga
Take a flight from Aurangabad to Rajkot/Porbandar via Mumbai) and reach Somnath Jyotirlinga. It is 80 km by road from Porbandar, 190 km from Rajkot
From Rajkot, take a cab to Dwarka (3-4 hrs) and visit Nageshwar Jyotirlinga and then return to Rajkot

Where to Stay:

In Maharashtra, you can plan to stay in Club Mahindra Hatgad resort. This resort in Nashik is just 1 hour away from the Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga.

When in Gujarat, unwind in Club Mahindra Dwarka. This resort in Gujarat is just 34 min away.

Day 5-7: Madhya Pradesh

Take a flight from Rajkot to Indore and then visit Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga (80 km from Indore)
Take a can from Omkareshwar to Ujjain (Road - 2 hrs) → Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga and return to Indore the same day.

Day 8-11: North & East India

From Indore, take a flight to Dehradoon. From there, you can either trek to Kedarnath or opt for a Helicopter service and return the same day.
Take a flight from Dehradun to Varanasi and visit Kashi Vishwanath Jyotirlinga
From Varanasi, take a flight to Ranchi and travel to Ranchi by cab for 5 hrs to Baidyanath Jyotirlinga

Day 12-16: South India

From Ranchi take a flight to Madurai via Chennai and travel via cab to Rameshwaram (4-5 hrs) and visit Rameshwaram Jyotirlinga and return to Madurai
From Madurai take a flight to Hyderabad and then a cab to Srisailam (4-5 hrs) and visit Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga

Conclusion

The 12 Jyotirlingas are not just places of worship but are spiritual powerhouses that attract millions of devotees every year. A pilgrimage to these sacred shrines is a transformative journey, bringing one closer to the divine essence of Lord Shiva.

If you’re planning a Jyotirlinga Yatra, be prepared for an enriching experience filled with devotion, history, and divine blessings!