All about the 12 jyotirlingas of India

The 12 jyotirlingas are revered shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva, one of the main deities in Hinduism. These jyotirlingas are spread across different regions of India and hold immense religious significance for devotees. Each jyotirlinga is considered a manifestation of the Supreme God in the form of Lord Shiva.

Here is all that you need to know about the 12 jyotirlingas:

Somnath Temple in Gujaratis the first jyotirlinga temple in the world. It holds immense religious importance among Hindus. The name Somnath means Lord of the Moon, which signifies the grandness of this sacred spot. The temple has a very dark history and it was destroyed and rebuilt several times. The current structure is a modern rendition, inaugurated in 1951.

Set on Srisailam mountain in Andhra Pradesh, Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga is associated with the legend of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. The temple is also considered a sacred site for the Shakti Peetha, a place where parts of Goddess Sati's body fell. The journey to Mallikarjuna involves a climb through the Nallamala forest, which is another enriching experience.

This beautiful temple in Ujjain is set on the banks of the Shipra river in Madhya Pradesh. The Mahakaleshwar Temple is noted for its unique idol of Lord Shiva facing south, a distinctive feature among the jyotirlingas. The temple is a symbol of eternal time. The Bhasma Aarti, where the idol is adorned with sacred ash, is a significant daily ritual.

Another stunning temple in Madhya Pradesh, Omkareshwar is on an OM-shaped island on the Narmada river. The jyotirlinga at Omkareshwar is associated with the sacred symbol ‘Om’ and the island itself resembles the symbol. The meeting of the rivers Narmada and Kaveri adds to the spiritual aura of the place.

This is one of the oldest temples set in the Garhwal Himalayas in Uttarakhand. Kedarnath is one of the holiest shrines in Hinduism and the temple here is part of the Char Dham Yatra and is associated with the Pandavas from the Mahabharata. Pilgrims trek through challenging terrain to reach Kedarnath.

Situated close to Pune in Maharashtra, Bhimashankar Temple is linked with the legend of Lord Shiva's battle with the demon Bhima. The temple is surrounded by lush greenery and is a habitat for the rare species of the giant squirrel. The Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary surrounding the temple adds to the spiritual and natural beauty of the area.

This is one of the oldest temples in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. Also known as Kashi, Varanasi is among the oldest and holiest cities in the world. The Kashi Vishwanath Jyotirlinga is a symbol of wisdom and spiritual awakening.

This temple near Nashik in Maharashtra is associated with the origin of the Godavari river. The temple has an extraordinary feature, where the lingam is adorned with a crown that has three faces, representing Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva.

Vaidyanath Temple in Deoghar, Jharkhand is associated with Lord Shiva's role as a healer. The temple is part of the famous Baidyanath Dham, attracting devotees seeking health and well-being.

Situated near Dwarka in Gujarat, Nageshwar Jyotirlinga is one of the Aadi Jyotirlingas, symbolising the beginning of the pilgrimage. The temple is associated with the story of a demon, who was vanquished by Lord Shiva. Pilgrims often combine a visit to Nageshwar with Dwarka, an important pilgrimage site.

Set on the Rameswaram Island in Tamil Nadu, Rameshwar Temple is associated with the tale of Lord Rama and the bridge he built to reach Lanka to rescue Sita. The temple has the longest corridor among all Hindu temples. The Rama Setu, or Adam's Bridge, is believed to be the remnants of the bridge built by Lord Rama.

This temple is located close to Ellora in Maharashtra. The prime legend associated with the temple is one where Lord Shiva appeared in the form of a fiery column. The temple is in proximity to the Ellora Caves, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.