What does Jyotirlinga mean?
12 Jyotirlingas denote the infinite form of Lord Shiva spreadover across India. Jyoti in Sanskrit means “Light” and Linga, a sign radiating light. 12 Jyotirlingas, spread over in all the directions, are the pious representation of Lord Shiva, the omnipresent Lord.
The lingam or the Stambh(the pillar) denotes the beginningless and endless infinite nature of the Supreme power, the Shiva.
As per Shiv Mahapuran, there is mention of 64 original jyotirlinga temples in India. The 12 Jyotirlingas are esteemed and hold a special religious importance.
The mesmerizing charm and devotional fervor for the 12 Jyotirlingas, is a testament of the mesmerizing mystery of 12 Jyotirlingas, where people, in large numbers, pour to connect themselves spiritually.
Shiva legend about the emergence of 12 Jyotirlingas:
Angered by Brahma’s dishonesty, Shiva cursed that Brahma would not be worshipped.
Description of the 12 Jyotirlingas:
1. Mahakaleshwar Temple or Mahakaleshwar Mandir or Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga
Mahakaleshwar Mandir or Mahakaleshwar temple or Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga, one of the 12 Jyotirlingas is situated in Ujjain in the State of Madhya Pradesh in India. The holy river Khisipra flows through the holy town of Ujjain.
Mahakaleshwar Temple or Mahakaleshwar Mandir is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva here is Swayambhu, deriving power from within itself.
The lingam symbolizes the infinite nature of Shiva. The well renowned ‘Bhasma Aarti’ is organized by temple priests. Mahakal Jyotirlinga is one of the popular shrines in India.
The journey from Indore Airport to Ujjain Mahakaleshwar Mandir takes approx. 1 hour and 10 minutes covering a distance of roughly 58 kilometers by road. Mahakaleshwar temple is merely 2 kms by road from Ujjain Railway Station.
2. Shri Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga or Shree Omkareshwar Temple or Shree Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga
Shri Omkareshwar jyotirlinga, Shree Omkareshwar temple, Shree Omkareshwar jyotirlinga, by whatever name you call is a unique temple to visit in the sense that the temple is situated on an island called Mandhata which is shaped like the ॐ (Om) symbol in Devanagari script. It is located on the southern bank of the Narmada River on the mainland.
People find boat journeys from the mainland to Omkareshwara temple or Omkareshwara in a serene and picturesque environment like a dream come true.
Omkareshwar temple is situated 140 Kms south of Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain in the Khandwa district of Madhya Pradesh.
The Omkareshwar temple is said to have been built by Jayasimhadeva and Jayavarman, the Paramara Kings of Malwa in the 11th Century.
In the 13th Century the temple was plundered by Mahmud Gazni, an Afghan ruler.
In the 19th Century, the temple was rebuilt by the Holkar rulers, mainly by Rani Ahalya Bai Holkar of Indore.
For those who look for places to visit Omkareshwar can plan to go to Kajal Rani Cave, Siddhanath temple, Saptamatrika Temples and Ahilya Ghat.
3. Somnath Temple, Jyotirlinga at Veraval in Gujarat:
Shree Somnath temple or Deo Patan is located in Prabhas Patan, Veraval in Gujarat, India. The Shree Somnath Temple is built at the coast of the Arabian sea in the west of India. Shree Somnath Temple is stated to be the first Aadi Jyotirlingas of India. Lord Shiva appeared here as a fiery column of light.
Somnath Jyotirlinga, an ancient pilgrimage site:
He bathed in the river Sarasvati and regained his lustre.
Shree Somnath Temple had faced innumerable onslaughts by different Mughal rulers. Al-Baruni, an Arab traveler, gave a vivid description of the grandiosity of the Somnath temple that prompted Afghan Ruler, Mahmud Ghazni to visit Somnath.
Architectural Style of Shree Somnath Temple:
Visiting places near Shree Somnath Temple:
Visiting places near Shree Somnath temple are Bhalka Tirth, Dehotsarg Tirth and Prachi Tirth.
4. Mallikarjuna Temple at Srisailam in Andhra Pradesh:
Mallikarjuna Temple is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas where lakhs of devotees worship every year. It is located at Srisailam in the State of Andhra Pradesh.
Mallikarjuna Temple -its great past:
The most convenient way to visit the temple is by hiring a taxi from Hyderabad.
The distance from Rudryaprag to Kedarnath in Uttarakhand is about 76 kms by road. As the terrain is hilly, the travel time is approximately 2 hours. Enroute Rudraprayag to Kedarnath, you will pass through Sonprayag and Gaurikund.
From Haridwar to Kedarnath you will come across Rishikesh, Devprayag, Srinagar, Rudraprayag, Gaurikund (via Agastyamuni, Guptakashi, Sonprayag and Kedarnath.
At Rudraprayag, river Mandakini which emanates from Kedarnath peaks joins Alaknanda river at Rudraprayag. The trekking route to Kedarnath is about 16 km from Gaurikund to Kedarnath. At Kedarnath, the devotees can perform Abhishek with Ghee.
Legend of Kedarnath Temple:
Lord Shiva eluded Pandavas and took refuge at the Kedarnath in the form of a Bull. Shiva dived into the ground, leaving his hump at the surface. His arms appeared at Tungnath, the face at Rudranath, the belly at Madmaheshwar and his locks at Kalpeshwar.
Panch Kedar pilgrimage circuit:
Kedarnath and the four pilgrim sites viz. Tungnath, Rudranath, Madmaheshwar and Kalpeshwar together make the Panch Kedar pilgrimage circuit.
6. Kashi Vishwanath Temple Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
India Kashi Vishwanath Temple Varanasi has the main deity i,e, Vishwanath which means the Ruler of the world.
Inside Kashi Vishwanath temple there are five mandapas. The Kashi Vishwanath Temple Varanasi Trust provides free food/prasad to the devotees of Banaras Kashi Vishwanath Temple every day in the temple courtyard.
7. Trimbakeshwar or Trayambkeshwar Temple in Maharashtra
Trimbakeshwar or Trayambkeshwar temple is in Nashik district of Maharashtra. The Trimbakeshwar temple is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas temples in India.
The Trimbakeshwar temple is located at the picturesque place between three hills viz. Brahmagiri, Nilagiri and Kalagiri.
At the Trimbakeshwar or Trayambkeshwar temple, the Lingas are bedecked with a jeweled crown over Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh.
8. Bhimashankar in Maharashtra
Bhimashankar temple is located in the village of Bhorgiri about 50 kms north west of Khed, near Pune in the Bhimashankar forest range, a wildlife sanctuary. The Wildlife sanctuary is a part of the Western Ghats. Bhimashankar is the source of river Bhima.
The Vaidyanath temple is at a distance of 7 kms from Jasidih Railway Station.
10. Nageshwar Jyotirlinga Temple in Dwarka, Gujarat
Nageshvara jyotirlinga or Nageshwar jyotirlinga temple finds mention in the Shiva Purana. Nageshwar jyotirlinga location- It is in Dwarka, State of Gujarat, India.
At Nageshwar Jyotirlinga, the legend goes that here demon Daaruka imprisoned a devotee of Shiva called Supriya. Lord Shiva appeared for the rescue of His devotee Supriya and defeated the demon.
The Nageshwar jyotirlinga temple timings for darshan are 6.00 am in the morning.
To visit Nageshwar temple, the nearest Airport is Jamnagar and the nearest Railway stations are Okha and Dwarka.
11. Rameshwaram Jyotirlinga in Tamil Nadu
Ramanathaswamy temple or Rameshwar or Rameshwaram has its grandeur in sculptures and corridors that make it a cynosure of all eyes.
The deity is in the form of a Jyotirlinga. Idol of Nandi bull, statue is 17.5 feet tall.
The legend goes that Lord Rama after defeating Ravana wanted to worship Lord Shiva and asked Hanuman to bring him a Linga. As it was
At Rameshwaram, there are 22 Theerthams or holy water bodies inside the temple where devotees bathe for atonement.
Devotees can visit the Holy shrine of Rameshwaram Jyotirlinga by train. Railway station is about 1 km away and the bus stand is about 2 kms away. Madurai International Airport is about 179 kms away.
Conclusion:
Men, women and children, across the country nurture an intense desire to visit atleast once in their lifetime, all the 12 Jyotirlingas and seek blessings of Lord Shiva.
Spiritual recognition of the 12 Jyotirlingas:
The path of spirituality, devotion and meditation, as per Hindu culture does bind all to righteousness. In Hinduism, the 12 Jyotirlingas act as a giant anchor, paving the way for the devotees to remain stuck to the noble path eternally.
The large congregations of the masses at the twelve Jyotirlingas, deeply resonate the religious and spiritual fervor round the year.
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FAQs:
Q.1. How many Jyotirlingas are there in India?
Ans.1 There are 12 Jyotirlingas in India.
Q.2. What is the significance of 12 Jyotirlingas in Hindu religion?
Ans.2 Worshiping 12 Jyotirlingas acts as a beacon of light and hope for the devotees. Their staunch faith, dedication and devotion, constantly guide and control their mind to tread on the path of righteousness to ensure public good.
Q.3. Where is Kedarnath Temple?
Ans.3 It is in the State of Uttarakhand.
Q.4 Where is Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga?
Ans.4 It is in Nasik district of the State of Maharashtra.
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