A Pilgrimage to the 12 Manifestations of Lord Shiva

12 Jyotirlinga yatra is a devotional representation or an image of Lord Shiva in the form of a pillar of light. Hindus consider 12 Jyotirlingas to be different manifestations of Shiva. Millions of devotees visit the 12 Jyotirlingas every year, which are located in different parts of India. You can register your 12 Jyotirlinga Yatra here

The 12 Jyotirlingas are:

• Somnath (Gujarat)

The Somnath temple is a Hindu temple located in Prabhas Patan, Veraval in Gujarat, India. It is one of the most sacred pilgrimage sites for Hindus and is the first among the twelve jyotirlinga shrines of Shiva. Mahmud Ghaznavi destroyed the temple in 1026, and Ahmed Shah I rebuilt it in 1706. People rebuilt the current temple in the 1950s, and it is now a major tourist destination.

• Mallikarjuna (Andhra Pradesh)

The Mallikarjuna temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to the deities Shiva and Parvati, located at Srisailam in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Shiva and one of the eighteen Shakti Peethas. The Chalukya dynasty built the temple in the 7th century and renovated and expanded it several times over the centuries.

• Mahakaleshwar (Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh)

Hindus built the Mahakaleshwar temple in the city of Ujjain in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh to worship Shiva. Hindus consider the Mahakaleshwar temple to be one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, shrines that are the most sacred abodes of Shiva.. The temple is situated on the side of the holy river Shipra. People believe that the Shiva lingam in the Mahakaleshwar temple is Swayambhu, meaning that it manifested itself and derives currents of power (Shakti) from within.

• Omkareshwar (Khandwa, Madhya Pradesh)

The Hindu temple Omkareshwar temple, dedicated to Shiva, is located on an island in the Narmada river in Madhya Pradesh, India. It is one of the 12 Jyotirlinga shrines of Shiva, and is considered to be one of the most sacred pilgrimage sites in India. The sound “Om” was the inspiration for the name of the temple, as it is said to be the primal sound of the universe.

• Baidyanath (Deoghar, Jharkhand)

People dedicated the Hindu temple Baidyanath in Deoghar, Jharkhand, India, to Shiva. People say that the shrine is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas, which are considered to be the most sacred abodes of Shiva. It is also consider as Baidyanath Dham, also known as Baidyanath, to be one of the most important pilgrimage sites in India.

• Bhimashankar (Pune, Maharashtra)

Hindus built the Bhimashankar temple in the Sahyadri mountain range in Pune district, Maharashtra, India, to worship the god Shiva. The twelve Jyotirlingas are shrines that are said to be the most sacred abodes of Shiva, and this temple is one of them. People also refer to it as Bhimashankar Dham or Bhairavnath Mandir.

• Ramanathaswamy (Rameshwaram, Tamil Nadu)

Hindus built the Ramanathaswamy temple on Rameswaram island in the state of Tamil Nadu, India, to worship the god Shiva. It is consider to be one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, shrines that are the most sacred abodes of Shiva. People also refer to it as Rameswaram temple or Thiruvarankami.

• Nageshwaram (Dwarka, Gujarat)

Hindus built the Nageshwara temple in Dwarka, Gujarat, India, to worship the god Shiva. People say that it is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas, shrines that are considered to be the most sacred abodes of Shiva. People also refer to it as Nageshwar Mahadev Temple.

• Vishwanath (Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh)

The Hindu temple Kashi Vishwanath temple in Vishwanath Gali, near Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India, dedicates itself to the god Shiva. It is one of the most sacred pilgrimage sites for Shaivites and is among the twelve Jyotirlinga, shrines which are said to be the most sacred abodes of Shiva. The presiding deity, known by the names Shri Vishwanath and Vishweshwara (IAST: Vishveshvara or Vishveshvur), literally meaning Lord of the Universe, stands on the western banks of the Ganges.

• Trimbakeshwar (Nashik, Maharashtra)

Hindus dedicate the Trimbakeshwar temple in Trimbakeshwar town in Nashik district of Maharashtra, India, to the god Shiva. Hindus say that this shrine is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, shrines that are considered to be the most sacred abodes of Shiva. People also know the temple as Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga.

• Kedarnath (Uttarakhand)

The Hindu temple Kedarnath dedicates itself to the god Shiva. It is located in the Garhwal Himalayas in the state of Uttarakhand, India.People say that the temple is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas, shrines that are the most sacred abodes of Shiva. People also refer to it as Kedarnath Dham.

• Grishneshwar (Aurangabad, Maharashtra)

The Hindu temple Grishneshwar in Ellora, Maharashtra, India, dedicates itself to the god Krishna. It is one of the 108 Divya Desams, or holy temples of Vishnu, and is also a popular pilgrimage site for Vaishnavites.

The Significance of Jyotirlingas

Hindus consider Jyotirlingas to be very sacred. They believe that by visiting a Jyotirlinga, one can attain moksha. People know the temples for their architectural beauty, and they are popular tourist destinations.

The 12 Jyotirlingas Yatra

The 12 Jyotirlinga yatra is a pilgrimage that involves visiting all 12 Jyotirlingas. People consider it a challenging but rewarding journey, and it is one of the most important pilgrimages in Hinduism.

How to Plan a 12 Jyotirlingas Yatra

Planning a 12 Jyotirlingas Yatra can be a daunting task, but it is not impossible. Here are some tips to help you plan your journey:

• Start by researching the different Jyotirlingas. Learn about their history, significance, and location.
• Decide how you want to travel. You can travel by car, train, or bus.
• Book your accommodations in advance. Book your stay early to avoid the crowds at the temples.
• Plan your itinerary carefully. Allow enough time to visit each temple and to travel between them.
• Pack light. You will need to pack light if you are going to be doing a lot of walking.
• Prepare for the weather. The weather can very depending on the time of year you visit.
• Be respectful of the temples and the devotees. Dress appropriately and be mindful of your behaviour.

The 12 Jyotirlinga yatra is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It is a journey of faith, spirituality, and adventure. If you are a devotee of Lord Shiva, then this is a pilgrimage that you should definitely consider.