The 12 Jyotirlinga Darshan Yatra is one of the most renowned spiritual odysseys that many devotees undertake each year. The pilgrimage tours to these spiritual sites offer you inner peace and spiritual awakening. Each jyotirlinga honors Lord Shiva and lets you immerse yourself in its spiritual aura. If you are a pilgrim looking to explore the 12 Jyotirlinga sites, you must know everything about them. Here is an informative guide that will help you get the most out of your spiritual journey:
The 12 Jyotirlinga temples are dedicated to Lord Shiva. People believe that Lord Shiva appeared here as a light shining like a pillar. A Jyotirlinga symbolizes the ruling power of Shiva. These temples offer the pilgrims a spiritual essence that they will not forget in their lifetime. People who visit these sacred places on their pilgrimage tour experience divinity here. Each of the Jyotirlinga sites is attached to a legend. Pilgrims perform many rituals after visiting these sites.
Here are a few Jyotirlinga temples in India that you can visit during your pilgrimage tour:
This is the exact place where the first Jyotirlinga emerged in the country. Lord Shiva appeared at this place as a column of light. This temple is located at the meeting point of 3 rivers, such as Saraswati, Hiran, and Kapila. The temple dates back to 649 BC. However, people believe that the temple is much older than that. The present form of the temple was reconstructed in the year 1951. One of the features of this temple is the one-hour light and sound show in the baritone of Amitabh Bachchan. This show is held at the temple every night at 7:45.
People believe that Somraj constructed a temple in Somnath, which is made up of gold. Later, the temple was rebuilt in silver, stone, and wood by Ravana, Bhimdev, and Krishna, respectively. The current structure has a creamy color and boasts a beautiful sculpture. The Somnath Jyotirlinga temple has a large Shiva Lingam, which is among the 12 sacred Lord Shiva shrines. The right time to visit Somnath Temple is the winter season, i.e, from October to March.
This Jytorlinga Temple is located near Pune in Maharashtra. This sacred place is surrounded by lush greenery and a wildlife sanctuary. A legend is attached to this temple. According to it, Tripurasura, a demon, was causing trouble to the people across the earth. Shiva became Bhimashankar and waged war against him and saved his devotees. This place has become sacred due to this event. If you are looking for a pilgrimage tour to this Jyotirlinga, you should book a pilgrimage package between October to March.
This Jytorlinga temple is located in the town of Omkareshwar and is highly revered by Hindu devotees. They offer prayers here and seek the blessings of the deity. There is a sanctuary named Ekatma Dham, which is devoted to the teachings of Adi Shankaracharya. This is a haven for yogis, saints, and seekers. This is a tranquil place that offers you inner peace and lets you connect with the divine power here. The ideal time to visit this Jyotirlinga is between October and March.
This Jyotirlinga is one of the popular temples in Rameshwaram. This pilgrimage site is the perfect example of architectural brilliance and attracts devotees from around the country. Once you enter the temple, you will be spellbound by the intricate carvings on the corridors of the temple. The spiritual significance and architectural splendor of this temple make it one of the most visited temples in the country. Whether you are a pilgrim, an art enthusiast, or a history buff, Ramanathaswamy Temple is for everyone.
It is the fifth jyotirlinga among the 12 jyotirlingas. Located in Jharkhand, this temple is also known as Baijnath or Baidyanath Dham. This temple complex houses the main temple of Baba Baidyanath, where the Jyotirlinga is installed. A legend is associated with the temple. According to it, the demon King Ravana worshipped Lord Shiva at this very site. He sacrificed his 10 heads to Lord Shiva. Shiva was extremely pleased with Ravana and gave back all his heads. He worked as a ‘Vaidya’ or doctor for Ravana. This is the reason why this place is called Vaidyanath Dham.
Situated in Ujjain, Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga is another spiritual site that is visited by many people. This temple is built in Chalukya, Bhumija, and Maratha architectural styles. There are 5 levels in the temple. You will find the images of Goddess Parvati in the north, Ganesha in the west, and Kartikeya to the east. You will find Omkareshwar Linga above the Mahakaleshwar Linga. There is an image of Nagchandreswar on the 3rd floor of the temple. This temple was reconstructed by King Naravarman and Udayaditya. Later, Ranoji Shinde, who was the Maratha Commander, renovated this temple in the 18th century.
Situated between Dwarka city and Beyt Dwarka Island, Nageshwar Jyotirlinga is one of the famous Jyotirlinga temples in the world. The pilgrims will get to see a 25 m statue of Lord Shiva in the temple along with a large garden. Nageshwar was also called “Darukavana,” which is the old name of a forest.
There is a legend associated with the temple. According to it, a group of dwarf sages or Balakhilyas prayed to Lord Shiva. To test their devotion, Shiva appeared as an ascetic in front of them. He was wearing only nagas or serpents on his body. On seeing him, the wives of the dwarf sages were attracted to him and went after him.
Sages got outraged due to this and lost their patience. They cursed the ascetic. At this, Shiva Linga fell on the earth, and everyone trembled. Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma came to Lord Shiva. They requested him to take back his linga and save the Earth from any destruction. He took back his linga from there and promised that he would be present in Darukavana as a Jyothirlinga.
Situated in Srisailam, Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga temple is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas, which offers a spiritual atmosphere to the pilgrims. The temple is known for its beautiful architecture and tranquil surroundings. The architecture of this temple spellbinds the visitors. It is constructed in Dravidian style with sprawling courtyards. You can explore other temples here, such as Siddavatam Temple, Unamaheswaram Temple, Alampura Temple, etc.
One of the special features of this temple is that it is not only a Jyotirlinga, but also a Shakti Peetha. There are only 3 such temples in the country. People believe that Shiva appeared at this place as Arjuna on Amavasya, and Goddess Parvati appeared here as Mallika on the full moon day. This is the reason why it is called Mallikarjuna. People believe that if you pray here, you will get wealth, fame, and peace of mind. The temple is constructed in the Dravidian style and has 4 gateway gopurams.
Situated on the banks of the Ganges, Kashi Vishwanath Temple is one of the most sacred places in the country. The temple houses Vishveshwara Jyotirling, which is highly revered by the devotees. They come here in large numbers to attain salvation. It is advisable to take a bath in the Ganga River, which helps the devotee to tread on their way to Moksha.
This is another popular Jyotirlnga which is visited by many people from different parts of the country. It represents Vishnu, Shiva, and Brahma as a trinity. It is an important place to conduct religious ceremonies. According to mythology, the Godavari River originates from Trimbak’s Brahamagri Hills. This is the reason why the temple is known as Trimbakeshwar. Dedicated to Shiva, this temple is one of the sacred lingams of the country. According to a legend, a sage named Gautam Rishi performed a penance in the Brahmagiri hills to please Shiva. When Lord Shiva was pleased with his devotion, he appeared before the sage and granted his wish. The sage wanted the Godavari River should flow down from the Brahmagiri Hills.
It is one of the ancient temples in Maharashtra. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga is known as the last Jyotirlinga, which is dedicated to Lord Shiva. This is the only Jyotirlinga where you can find carvings on the Lord Shiva statue. ‘Grishneshwara’ means the ‘Lord of Compassion’. It is believed that the holy water is coming from the temple.
This temple is located at a height of approximately 3583 meters. Situated near the Mandaikini River, this temple is among the 12 Jyotirlingas. The temple is open to visitors in the summer. It is believed that the Kedarnath shrine was constructed by Adi Shankaracharya in the 8th century AD.
Planning a Jyotirlinga tour is easy if you prepare your tour wisely. Here are some of the tips that will help you plan your tour:
Here are a few reasons why you should choose a Jyotirlinga Darshan Tour:
Visiting 12 Jyotirlingas will offer your inner peace. Some of the tips to make your trip memorable are as follows:
Make sure to plan your trip properly. Carry all the things that are important to you during your yatra.
If you want to undertake a pilgrimage to all Jyotirlingas, you should be prepared to visit remote areas. As most Jyotirlingas are located in remote locations, you must make up your mind to visit these places.
Make sure to carry your water during your tour. Remember, you need to visit remote places during your pilgrimage. Thus, you need to carry sufficient water with you. This will keep you hydrated during your tour.
Do not forget to dress appropriately while visiting the temples. If you are a male, you can wear a dhoti with a shirt. However, women can wear a sari or salwar kameez during the Jyotirlinga Darshan tour.
Each of the Jyotirlinga temples has its own religious significance. Thus, you need to pay respect to these places during the religious occasions.
Jyotirlinga yatra is not a common yatra, but a great spiritual journey that has the power to transform your life. During this pilgrimage tour, the devotees will feel a connection with the Lord Shiva and get spiritual awakening. If you are looking for exploring all the Jyotirlingas of the country, connect with the leading travel operators and choose the right pilgrimage travel package for you.