12 Jyotirlinga

What is the story behind Jyotirlinga?

The meaning of the word Jyotirlinga is "Pillar of light" "Prakashstambh" When we break down the word Jyotirlinga the first word is "Jyoti" which means brightness and the second-word "linga" means the idol of Lord Shiva. There is a story behind how this 12 Jyotirlinga formed. The story is related to settling the dispute between Lord Shiva and Lord Brahma.

 Lord Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh are known as the Creator, Preserver, and Destructor. The story of Lingpurana says. Once there was an argument happened between Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu. Lord Brahma says "I am supreme God because I am a creator of this universe. Lord Vishnu said I am a preserver of this universe you can not live without me. An argument escalated a lot Both of them started using their divine weapons to show their power. And due to this argument, there was destruction happened all around. The rest of the gods went to Lord Shiva and requested Shiva to calm down their war. And to stop the war between Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu, Mahadev appeared in the form of a pillar of light that pillar looked like a flame. And say who will find the starting and beginning of this pillar of light he will be a most superior God. That time Brahma and Vishnu decided that Brahmadev will go up into the sky in the form of a Swan to find the starting point of this pillar. And Lord Vishnu goes Down to the earth in the form of Varaha to find the feet of this pillar. They both failed in their tasks and bowed down to the Jyotirlinga. On that day Lord Shiva was first time represented in the form of Shivlinga.

12 Jyotirlinga temple is bounded by the place where Lord Shiva himself appeared from the sky in the form of a pillar of light.

12 Jyotirlinga of Lord Shiva in India :

All 12 Jyotirlinga have established the identity of that particular location. Visiting this temple once in life is every once travel goal.

1 Somnath Jyotirlinga: This is the first Jyotirlinga of Lord Shiva located in Veraval, Gujrat. This Somnath Jyotirlinga was established by Somdev (Chandra dev). Chandra dev married 27 daughters of Daksha and neglected all his 27 wives. Due to this Prajapati Daksha cursed Lord Chandra. Due to that curse, the moon lost their luster and beauty. Chandra dev worshipped Lord Shiva in this place to regain his luster and beauty. Lord Shiva appeared at this place and blessed Lord Chandra and freed him from this curse.

Temple opening and close time: 6 Am to 9 Pm. Arti time of Somnath Jyotirlinga is 7 Am, 12 pm, and 7 pm

2 Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga: This is the second Jyotirlinga of Shiva located in Srisailam, Andhra Pradesh. Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga is known as the form deity of Lord Shiva and Parvati. Word Mallika indicates the Parvati and Arjuna indicates Lord Shiva. This place is one of the 12 shakti pithas of Sati. Mallikarjun is the greatest pilgrim site in India.

Temples opening and close time: 4:30 Am to 10 Pm

3 Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga: 

 Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga is the third Jyotirlinga of India and one of the five Jyotirlingas of Maharashtra. This temple is located in Nashik city at the foothill of Brahmhagiri hills where the holy Godavari (Ganga) river originates. When Gautam Rishi was imprisoned Ma Godavari was in Kushwar Tirth Pond. Ma Godavari requested Lord Shiva to stay here with her. That's why Lord Shiva appeared here in the form of Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga. This is the only jyotirlinga in India that is not represented only Lord Shiva but also Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu. Every year many people visit this place to perform various pooja, rituals like Kaal sarp dosh, Narayan nagbali, Kumbh Vivah, Tripindi Shradh, Rudrabhishek, Mahamrityunjay Mantra Jaap, etc. Trimbakeshwar pandits all are "Tamrapatra" holders only they have a birthright to perform pooja at Trimbakeshwar.

Temple opening and close time : 5:30 Am to 9 Pm

4 Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga: Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga is located in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh. Five years old Shriker was inspired by the devotion of king of Ujjain Chandrasena toward Lord Shiva. Shirker took one stone and started worshipping that stone as Lord Shiva. Because of Shirker devotion, Lord Shiva appears to hear in the form of Jyotirlinga. This place is one of the popular places from 12 Jyotirlingas.

Temple opening and close time : 4 Am to 11 Pm, darshan timing starts from 8 Am to 10 Am

5 Omkareshwar jyotirlinga: Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga is one of the holiest places in India. Located in Madhya Pradesh, 80 km away from the Indoor.Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga is situated on an Om-shaped island of the Narmada river. Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga and Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga both are situated in Madhya Pradesh. It is said that once upon a time there is a big war happened between Devas and Danavas in which Danavas won. Then Devas got scared at started worshipping Lord Shiva for the victory, At that time Lord Shiva emerged at that place in the form of Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga. And helped the Gods by defeating evil.

Temple opening and close time: Every day 5 Am to 10 Pm

6 Baidyanath Jyotirlinga: Baidyanath Jyotirlinga is also known as the Baba Dham which is located in Jharkhand. Ravan is the biggest devotee of Lord Shiva. One Lord Shiva was pleased with Ravnas great prayer and appeared in front of him. Ravana asked Lord Shiva to visit once in his Lanka once. Lord Shiva emerged in the form of shivlinga and say Ravna to don't put this shivlinga till he doesn't reach Lanka. Ravan started his journey in between Lord Vishnu disturbed Ravan, and he put shivlinga down. Today that shivlinga is known as Baidyanath Jyotirlinga.

Temple opening and close time: 4 Am to 3:30 Pm and 6 Pm to 9 Pm

7 Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga: November to February is the best time period to visit Bhimashakar. Bhimashankar temple is also called the Moteshwar temple. River Bhima originates near the temple. People believed that Kumbhkarna's son Bheema made this temple.

Temple opening and close time: 4:30 Am to 12 Pm and 4 Pm to 9:10 Pm

8 Rameshwar Jyotirlinga: Rameshwar Jyotirlinga is located in Tamil Nadu. This Jyotirlinga is surrounded by water (see). People believed that after killing Ravna Lord Rama do prayer for Lord Shiva and made this Jyotirlinga.

Temple opening and close time: 5 Am to 1 Pm and 3 Pm to 9 Pm

9 Nageshwar Jyotirlinga: This temple is also known as Nagnath temple. Located in Gujrat. Nageshwar Jyotirlinga is the symbol of protection against all types of poisons. Those who worshipped this Jyotirlinga they will get free from all types of poisons. 25 m tall statue of Lord Shiva attracts tourists to visit this Jyotirlinga.

Temple opening and close time : 5 Am to 9 Pm. Darshan timing: 6 Am to 12 Pm and 5 Pm to 9 Pm

10 Kashi Vishwanath Jyotirlinga: Kashi Vishwanath Jyotirlinga temple is Located in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. This Jyotirlinga has the biggest attraction of tourists in all the Jyotirlingas. Queen Ahilyabaie Holkar builds this temple in 1780. In Hinduism, this temple has very much importance. It is believed that Lord Shiva lived here himself and offer happiness to devotees.

Temple opening and close times: 5 Am to 1 Pm and 3 Pm to 9 Pm

11 Kedarnath Jyotirlinga:

Kedarnath Jyotirlinga is one of the four dhamas. Which is located in the Rudra Himalayan range, Uttarakhand. This Jyotirlinga is a most awaited destination for everyone. It is believed that the five Pandava brothers made this temple 3000 years back. Because of climate conditions, the temple is open only for 6 months, from May to Jun.

Temple opening and close times: 4 Am to 12 Pm and 3 Pm to 9 Pm

12 Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga: Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga temple is located in Aurangabad, Maharashtra built by Queen Ahilyabai Holkar. The Beautiful Huge Nandi build in the central court Hall and read rock architecture is the attraction of this temple.

 

Temple opening and close time: 5:30 Am to 9:30 Pm