What is 12 jyotirlinga?

The 12 Jyotirlingas: Abodes of Lord Shiva

The Jyotirlingas are shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva, where he is worshipped in the form of a Jyotirlingam ("Lingam of Light"). According to Hindu beliefs, Lord Shiva first manifested as a Jyotirlinga on the night of the Aridra Nakshatra, thus holding special significance. There are twelve such Jyotirlingas in India, considered highly sacred.

Here's a brief overview:

1. Somnath (Gujarat): Believed to be the first among the 12 Jyotirlingas. It has a rich history and has been rebuilt several times after being destroyed. Somnath

2. Mallikarjuna (Andhra Pradesh): Situated on Srisaila hill, overlooking the Krishna River. It is believed to be one of the most important shrines in India. Mallikarjuna

3. Mahakaleshwar (Madhya Pradesh): Located in Ujjain, this is the only Jyotirlinga facing south. It is famous for its unique Bhasma Aarti. Mahakaleshwar

4. Omkareshwar (Madhya Pradesh): Situated on an island shaped like 'Om' on the Narmada River. It is considered one of the holiest places for Hindus. Omkareshwar

5. Kedarnath (Uttarakhand): Located in the Garhwal Himalayan range, it is one of the Char Dham pilgrimage sites and is only accessible for a few months each year. Kedarnath

6. Bhimashankar (Maharashtra): Located in the Sahyadri hills, near Pune. The source of the Bhima River is nearby. Bhimashankar

7. Kashi Vishwanath (Uttar Pradesh): Located in Varanasi (Kashi), the holiest city for Hindus. This is considered one of the most important Jyotirlingas. Kashi%20Vishwanath

8. Trimbakeshwar (Maharashtra): Located near Nashik, the source of the Godavari River. This Jyotirlinga is unique as it represents the three faces of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. Trimbakeshwar

9. Vaidyanath (Jharkhand): Also known as Baba Baidyanath Dham in Deoghar, it is a significant pilgrimage site, especially during Shravan month. Vaidyanath

10. Nageshwar (Gujarat): Located near Dwarka, this Jyotirlinga is associated with the slaying of a demon named Daruka. Nageshwar

11. Rameshwaram (Tamil Nadu): Situated on Rameswaram Island, it is associated with Lord Rama. It is also part of the Char Dham pilgrimage. Rameshwaram

12. Grishneshwar (Maharashtra): Located near Aurangabad and close to the Ellora Caves. It is the last of the 12 Jyotirlingas. Grishneshwar

Visiting these Jyotirlingas is believed to bring spiritual upliftment and purification of the soul. The legend and story of each Jyotirlinga has great meaning to Hindu mythology.