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Lord Mahadev is also known as Shiva, Nataraja, Neel Kanth, and by many other names. When we talk about Shiva– the destroyer of evil, we all might have sometime heard about the Jyotirlinga. Lord Shiva is devotionally represented in the form of Jyotirlingas. They symbolise the radiant sign of Supreme God.
Legend says that Lord Shiva’s first visit on this earth took place on the night of Aridra Nakshatra. In scripture, 64 Jyotirlingas have been mentioned. But here we will discuss the list of 12 jyotirlingas in India. These are considered very auspicious, and people of Hindu religion worship them.
List of 12 jyotirlingas with name and place:
Somnath, Gujarat
We find the first Jyotirlinga in the Somnath temple of Gujarat. It is located in a district named Veraval Kathiawad, Gujarat. This temple is an important pilgrimage temple for Hindus in our country. Legend says Prajapati cursed Chandra dev (moon) that he will no longer have its radiance. Then, disturbed Chandra dev came to this place, and he started worshipping the Sparsa Linga.
Later, Lord Shiva appeared and blessed him to regain his lost radiance. On his request, Lord Shiva resided at this place which later became famous as Somnath. This temple was attacked, destroyed, and rebuilt several times but still holds an essential place in the Hindu religion.
Mallikarjuna, Andhra Pradesh
This is located in the mountains of Shri Shaila. It is situated on the banks of the Krishna River. This place is also called the “Kailash of the South”. Lord Ganesha’s marriage took place before Kartikeya, which made him angry. Angry Kartikeya went to the Kraunch Mountain.
Then Shiva-Parvati themselves reached the mountain to console him. But seeing the condition of Kartikeya, they were severely hurt, and Shiva resided there as a jyotirlinga. This came to be known as Mallikarjuna (Mallika- Parvati, and Arjuna- Shiva).
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Omkareshwar, Madhya Pradesh
This Jyotirlinga is located on an island on River Narmada named Shivapuri. Omkareshwar is a Sanskrit word that means “Lord of Om sound”. In Hindu scriptures, a war happened between Deva and Danavs, where danvas won.
It was a significant defeat for devas, so they prayed to Lord Shiva. Then, Lord Shiva appeared in the form of Omkareshwar jyotirlinga and helped the devas to win the fight.
Mahakaleshwar, Madhya Pradesh
This temple is located on the banks of the Kshipra River, in the region of Mahakal forest in Ujjain. This Jyotirlinga is a famous Hindu pilgrimage site in Central India.
According to the Shiv Puran, Mahakaleshwar Temple is recognised as a significant temple by the Hindus. It is believed that this is the place that can be responsible for the liberation of the human race.
Bhimashankar, Maharashtra
This is located in the Sahyadri region of Pune, lies on the bank of Bhima river. According to legends, it’s a Symbol of war between Bhima (son of demon Kumbha Karna) and Lord Vishnu. Bhima tried to take revenge for killing his father Kumbha Karna during the battle in his Ram avatar & Lord Shiva.
Vaidyanath, Jharkhand
Also popular as Baidyanath Dham or Baba Dham. It is in the Deogarh region of Jharkhand. In history, it says that the demon king Ravana prayed to Lord Mahadev to come with him. During his journey with a ling of Mahadev, he stopped here for urine. After he has done, he again goes to take ling with him, but he was unable to do so. After that this place famous as the name Vaidyanathan Dhaam.
Rameshwaram, Tamil Nadu
This temple is located on an island of Rameshwaram. Legend says this Jyotirlinga is closely associated with the battle of Ramayana. Ram stopped here after a victorious return over the Lanka.
Kedarnath, Uttarakhand
One of the holiest pilgrimage places in our country. Kedarnath is located in the Himalaya Range on a mountain known as Kedar. Legend says, pleased by the devotion of Nara and Narayana – two avatars of Vishnu. Lord Shiva himself decided to permanently reside in Kedarnath in the form of this Jyotirlinga.
Nageshwar, Gujarat
This temple is located on an Island on the coast of Saurashtra in Gujarat. This Jyotirlinga symbolises protection from any kind of poison. Shiva Purana mentions that to kill a demon named Daruka, the Nageshwar jyotirlinga appeared.
Kashi Vishwanath, Varanasi
This temple is located in the holiest location of the world- Kashi (Holy city of Varanasi ghats). This is considered to be the dearest place of Lord Shiva. People believe that Shiva himself lived here. It had been damaged and rebuilt several times in history. But Still, this Jyotirlinga holds a prominent position among all other 11 jyotirlingas.
Grishneshwar, Maharashtra
This Jyotirlinga is located in a village of Aurangabad known as Verul. Ahilyabai Holkar constructed Grishneshwar temple. The Jyotirlinga of Ghrishneshwar temple is also a famous pilgrimage centre. It has many other names like Kusumeswarar, Ghushmeshwar, and Grushmeswara.
Trimbakeshwar, Maharashtra
It is located in Nasik, on a mountain named Brahmagiri from where the river Godavari starts to flows. In Shiva Purana, All Gods, Shiva, and Gautam Rishi decided to reside here, and this place got the name Trimbakeshwar.
Here ends our list of 12 Jyotirlinga of India. Try to visit any of these pilgrimages and keep chanting the holy mantra “Om Namah Shivaya”.
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