12 Jyotirlingas – Temples Where Shiva's Light Still Burns

Somnath

The first among the twelve jyotirlingas is the Somnath Jyotirlinga. It has faced a lot of destruction and rebuilding. The current building is of the post-1947 times. This temple connotes perseverance of devotion in the Shaiva community.

Mallikarjuna Srisailam

Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga is located at Srisailam in Andhra Pradesh. It is one of the twelfth holy places where Shiva appeared as a column of everlasting fire. In the tradition, this Jyotirlinga is of great spiritual importance. It proves that Shiva has permanent luminous energy at this sacred place.

Mahakaleshwar Ujjain

Ujjain (Mahakaleshwar) forms one of the twelve holy Shiva places known as Jyotirlinga or places of eternal light. This Swayambhu (self-manifested) Jyotirlinga represents the supreme presence of Shiva in the Jyotirlinga tradition.

Omkareshwar Narmada

Omkareshwar is a Shiva holy place situated along the 12 Jyotirlingas which symbolizes the eternal light of Shiva. It lies on Mandhata Island in river Narmada. This Jyotirlinga brings out Shiva as the Master of Omkara sound. 

Kedarnath Himalayas

The 12 Jyotirlingas include Kedarnath, which is located in the Himalayas. Being situated in great height, this temple displays a form of Lord Shiva. It is the largest of these sacred sanctuaries, and therefore it denotes the eternal presence of Shiva in the Jyotirlinga custom. 

Bhimashankar Sahyadris

One of the twelve Jyotirlingas is Bhimashankar situated in the Sahyadri range in Maharashtra. He (Shiva) is indicated by these temples that are self-manifested pillars of the divine light.

Kashi Vishwanath

The most important of the 12 Jyotirlingas is Kashi Vishwanath located at Varanasi which is established on the banks of the Ganges. This temple worships Shiva as the King of the universe. It has Jyotirlinga, which symbolizes the unending pillar of light which is the sign of the ever-presence of Shiva.

Trimbakeshwar Nashik

One of the 12 Jyotirlinga of Hinduism is enshrined in Trimbakeshwar. This Jyotirlinga is a three faced linga that is symbolic to the existence of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva and the ever-present divine form of the Jyotirlinga tradition.

Baidyanath Deoghar

One among the twelve sacred Jyotirlingas is Baidyanath Deoghar which puts forward Shiva in the form of his constant luminous light. The temple is situated at Jharkhand and reflects the existence of Shiva. It is characterized to be one of the most sacred shrines where the cosmic light of Shiva is always present.

Nageshwar Dwarka

Nageshwar Jyotirlinga is a Jyotirlinga and one of twelve sacred Jyotirlingas dedicated to Shiva as the embodiment of eternal, immortal light and exists near Dwarka in coastal Gujarat. A high level of Shiva Linga has been placed in the temple complex and a big statue of Lord Shiva in meditation also presides there. The site has great symbolic meaning in Shaivism and it is one of the influential locations that depict the existence of Shiva.

Rameshwaram

Rameshwaram is among the 12 special Jyotirlingas which have a representation of infinite light of lord Shiva. It is situated on Pamban Island on the territory of Tamil Nadu, and it takes the leading place in this group of adorers. It is one of the main pilgrimage sites, with pilgrims being aware of this site as far as the Jyotirlinga tradition is concerned.

Grishneshwar Verul

Grishneshwar Verul is known as the twelfth Jyotirlinga. This is the name given to it because it marks one of the main residences of eternal light of lord Shiva. The temple takes a very prominent position among the holy twelve Jyotirlinga shrines in India.