The 12 Jyotirlingas are the most sacred shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva in Hindu tradition. The word “Jyotirlinga” means the “Radiant Sign of the Almighty” — it is believed that Lord Shiva first manifested himself as a fiery column of light (Jyoti) piercing through the earth and sky, and these 12 temples mark the locations where this divine light appeared.
Visiting all 12 Jyotirlingas is considered one of the holiest pilgrimages in Hinduism, believed to wash away all sins and grant moksha (liberation from the cycle of rebirth).
🕉 Complete List of 12 Jyotirlingas
| # | Jyotirlinga | Location | State | Opening Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Somnath | Veraval, Prabhas Patan | Gujarat | 6:00 AM |
| 2 | Mallikarjuna | Srisailam | Andhra Pradesh | 5:30 AM |
| 3 | Mahakaleshwar | Ujjain | Madhya Pradesh | 4:00 AM |
| 4 | Omkareshwar | Mandhata Island | Madhya Pradesh | 5:00 AM |
| 5 | Kedarnath | Kedarnath | Uttarakhand | 4:00 AM (seasonal) |
| 6 | Bhimashankar | Pune District | Maharashtra | 5:00 AM |
| 7 | Kashi Vishwanath | Varanasi | Uttar Pradesh | 2:30 AM |
| 8 | Trimbakeshwar | Nashik | Maharashtra | 5:30 AM |
| 9 | Vaidyanath | Deoghar | Jharkhand | 4:00 AM |
| 10 | Nageshwar | Dwarka | Gujarat | 6:00 AM |
| 11 | Rameshwaram | Rameswaram Island | Tamil Nadu | 5:00 AM |
| 12 | Grishneshwar | Ellora, Aurangabad | Maharashtra | 5:30 AM |
📿 Significance of Jyotirlinga Pilgrimage
Hindu scriptures describe how Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu once debated who was supreme. To resolve this, Lord Shiva appeared as an infinite column of light. Brahma took the form of a swan and flew upward, while Vishnu became a boar and dug downward — but neither could find the beginning or end of this cosmic light. The twelve places on Earth where this Jyotirlinga is believed to have pierced through became the sacred Jyotirlinga shrines.
A traditional shloka lists all twelve in order: “Saurashtre Somanatham cha, Srishaile Mallikarjunam…” This verse is chanted by millions of devotees daily as part of their prayers.
🗓 Best Route for 12 Jyotirlinga Yatra
Many devotees plan a complete circuit covering all 12 Jyotirlingas. A recommended route starting from Mumbai would cover Grishneshwar and Trimbakeshwar in Maharashtra, then Bhimashankar, followed by Somnath and Nageshwar in Gujarat. From there, travel to Omkareshwar and Mahakaleshwar in Madhya Pradesh, then Kedarnath and Kashi Vishwanath in the north. Continue to Vaidyanath in Jharkhand, Mallikarjuna in Andhra Pradesh, and finally Rameshwaram in Tamil Nadu. The complete circuit takes approximately 15-20 days by road, or can be done over multiple shorter trips.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
A well-planned circuit covering all 12 Jyotirlingas takes approximately 15-20 days by road or a combination of flights and trains. Many devotees prefer to visit them in 2-3 separate trips spread across the year.
Traditionally, Somnath in Gujarat is considered the first Jyotirlinga and is often recommended as the starting point. However, there is no strict rule — devotees can start from whichever temple is nearest or most convenient.
No. Kedarnath Temple is seasonal and typically opens in late April/May and closes in November for the winter. The exact dates are announced each year based on the Hindu calendar. During winter, the deity is moved to Ukhimath for worship.
