Everything You Need to Know About 12 Jyotirlinga: The Ultimate Guide

India has a rich spiritual legacy; the Jyotirlinga Darshan Yatra is among the most revered travels among those who follow it. Each of the twelve Jyotirlingas honoring Lord Shiva is highly important in Hinduism. Millions of people from throughout the world visit these temples. A Jyotirlinga tour package is perfect if one wants to find and see all these unique locations throughout their trip. The 12 Jyotirlingas, their histories, and what you should know for the Jyotirlingas Travel Guide will be thoroughly covered in this guide.

What Are the 12 Jyotirlingas?

The 12 Jyotirlingas stand in India, all devoted to Lord Shiva. It is believed that Lord Shiva appeared as a light shining like a pillar when Sambandar visited the sanctum. History, geography, and religion all give each Jyotirlinga a unique role. A Jyotirlinga symbolizes the unbounded and ruling power of Lord Shiva and is known as a glowing column of light.

While going through these temples, people on pilgrimage add to their good karma and enjoy the unique sights found in India’s historical sites. You will discover the legends and rituals at each location using a Jyotirlinga Travel guide.

How the 12 Jyotirlingas in India are linked to Zodiac Signs

Every 12 Jyotirlingas of India is dedicated to Lord Shiva and carries strong spiritual energy because it is found at the right zodiac locations. Specific benefits linked to the planets are found in Jyotirlingas because every temple is connected to a particular planet. Furthermore, each site echoes with the energy of each astrological sign. As described in old Vedic texts, each of India’s 12 Jyotirlingas is tightly linked to the energies of the various zodiac signs. As a result, the use of lunar signs (Rashis) is closely related to them in Vedic astrology. Every Jyotirlinga is carefully placed to make the most of natural powers, making their results quite strong.

When a person of the Aries sign visits Rameshwaram, they experience stronger marital harmony; a Taurus person at Somnath supports stability; a Gemini person at Nageshwar gets protected; a Cancer sign person at Omkareshwar gains sage advice; a Leo sign person at Vaidyanath regains vigor; a Virgo sign person at Mallikarjun increases knowledge; a Libra sign person at Mahakaleshwar finds safety; a Scorpio sign person at Grishneshwar gets support in difficult situations; a Sagittarius sign person at Kashi V Every Jyotirlinga is connected to a zodiac sign, reflecting the essential astrological aspects in Hinduism.

List of 12 Jyotirlingas in India

1. Somnath – Gir Somnath in Gujarat

Somnath Jyotirlinga is the first and, most importantly, one of the twelve Jyotirlingas found in India.  Located at the Prabhas Kshetra close to Veraval in Gujarat, this Hindu pilgrimage site is well-known for its historical value and excellent architectural quality.  According to a narrative connected with Somnath, the deity of the moon, Chandra, carried out a puja to Lord Shiva to be released from the consequences of a curse his father-in-law, Daksha, dealt.  Happy with this commitment, Shiva showed up as Jyotirlinga and released Chandra from the evil enchantment.

•  Location: Prabhas Kshetra, close to Gujarat’s Veraval
•  Timing: 06:00 AM to 09:00 PM
• How to get there:  The closest airport, Diu Airport, is around 85 kilometers away.  About 7 miles from the temple, Veraval Railway Station is the next railway station.
•  Attractions Close by: Diu Island, Gir National Park, Bhalka Tirth, Triveni Sangam.

2. Nageshwar – Daarukavanam in Gujarat

Nageshwar Jyotirlinga is one of the foremost Jyotirlingas dedicated to Shiva in India, located near Dwarka, Gujarat. The temple derives its usual name from its sanctum, where an underground chamber exists beneath the earth’s surface, and Shiva gives darshan to Supriya. A demon called Daaruka used to terrorize the people living in the surrounding region. At that point, the lord Shiva emerged as Nageshwar to guard his devotees from the demon Daaruka. So, the word Nageshwar has its roots in the word Nag, meaning Serpent or snake, as the temple’s deity is believed to have been associated with snakes from ancient times.

• Location: Daarukavanam, Nimbus Cloud Dwarka, India,  Nageshwar.
• Timings: 6 AM to 12:30 PM and 5:00 PM to 9:30 PM
• How to reach: The closest airport is Jamnagar Airport, which is approximately 137 KM away. Dwarka Railway station is nearly 18 km away from the temple.
• Nearby attractions: Rukmini Devi Temple, Bet Dwarka, Gomti ghat, and Dwarkaddish temple.

3. Bhimashankar – Pune in Maharashtra

The Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga is found among the Sahyadri hills, near Pune in Maharashtra, and is surrounded by greenery and the Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary. Tradition describes a demon named Tripurasura who was causing trouble across Earth. Lord Shiva became Bhimashankar, fought the demon Tripurasura, and saved his devotees, which made the place very sacred.

• The location of the village is Bhorgiri, in Pune, Maharashtra
• The hours are 4:30 AM to 12:00 PM and 4:00 PM to 9:30 PM
• The nearest airport to the city is Pune Airport, which is around 110 km away, and the nearest rail station is Pune Railway Station.
• Around Bhimashankar: Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary, Hanuman Lake, Gupt Bhimashankar, Sahyadri hills.

4. Trimbakeshwar – Nashik in Maharashtra

The Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga is found not far from Nashik in Maharashtra and is recognized because it represents Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva as a trinity. Because it is one of the 12 famous Jyotirlingas at the source of the Godavari River, Bhramagiri is important to Hindus and a significant place for religious ceremonies. According to belief, Lord Shiva granted both Sage Gautam and his wife Ahalya eternal life at this spot.

• Place: Trimbak, Nashik, Maharashtra
• Opened from 5:30 AM till 9:00 PM
• Getting There: About 31 kilometers from Nashik Airport to the city. Nashik Road Railway Station is just 28 kilometers from the temple.
• Saptashrungi, Kalaram Temple, Brahmagiri Hill, and Anjaneri Mountain are nearby.

5. Grishneshwar – Aurangabad in Maharashtra

Ellora caves near Aurangabad, Maharashtra, are home to the last Jyotirlinga on this list, which is Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga. Built from red stone, the temple’s architecture is strikingly different than other places. According to myths, a devoted woman known as Kusuma worshiped Lord Shiva from deep in her heart. That’s when the Lord became the Jyotirlinga, giving her sight again.

• Location: Verul, Ellora, Aurangabad, Maharashtra
• The timings for visitors are from 5.30 AM to 9.30 PM.
• The closest way to get here is by flying into Aurangabad Airport, about 36 km from the city. Aurangabad Railway Station is the nearest rail station to the site.
• Ellora Caves, the Bhadra Maruti Temple, the Daulatabad Fort, and the Ajanta Caves are some sights near here.

6. Vaidyanath – Deoghar in Jharkhand

This Vaidyanath Jyotirlinga is found in Deoghar, Jharkhand. Of all Jyotirlingas in India, this is visited by the largest crowd, and it is tied to Ravana, the king of demons, who gained immunity by paying respect to Lord Shiva. He offered each of his ten heads to Lord Shiva one by one during his worship. Because of his penance, Shiva came to Ravana and cured him, so he was known as Vaidyanath, which means the “Lord of Physicians.”

• Location: Deoghar, Jharkhand
• You can visit between 4:00 AM and 3:30 PM and again from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
• The temple is close to Deoghar Airport (approximately 7 km) and Jasidih Junction (only 10 km).
• Nearby, you can see Naulakha Mandir, Satsang Ashram, the Tapovan caves, and Nandan Pahar.

7. Mahakaleshwar – Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh

Out of the twelve holy Jyotirlingas devoted to the lord, Mahakaleshwar stands in the ancient city of Ujjain. People find this temple so popular since it stands towards the south and is thought to be in the Starbaa form, meaning it brings good fortune. People believe that the temple gained its name, Sri Mahakaleshwar, from the holy figure of ‘Mahakal,’ the Lord of Time, and it is cherished to keep the city protected. Early morning Aarti is a highlight at the temple and is popularly included in the list of 12 Jyotirlingas in the country.

• Location: Ujjain, in Madhya Pradesh
• Hours: 4:00 AM to 11:00 PM
• You can reach it by flying into Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Airport in Indore, which is situated 55 km away. Ujjain Junction is located nearest to the site.
• You can also visit Kal Bhairav Temple, Harsiddhi Temple, Ram Ghat, and Vedh Shala Observatory. 

8. Omkareshwar – Khandwa in Madhya Pradesh

The name Omkareshwar comes from the resemblance of the nearby island in the Narmada River to the Hindi ‘Om’ character. It is considered among the most beautiful of India’s 12 Jyotirlingas. The legend explains that after King Mandhata performed great worship here, Shiva blessed him and helped establish this Jyotirlinga.

• The temple is located in Mandhata, Khandwa, Madhya Pradesh.
• Timing: Between 05:00 AM and 10:00 PM
• Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Airport in Indore is the closest airport to the temple, about 80 km off. You can reach the temple from Omkareshwar Road Railway Station, just 12 km away by road.
• If you’re interested, you can also visit the nearby Mamleshwar Temple, Siddhanath Temple, Kedareshwar Temple, and Gauri Somnath Temple.

9. Kashi Vishwanath – Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh

Kashi Vishwanath is located in Varanasi and is counted as one of the 12 celebrated Jyotirlingas. The name, ‘The Lord of Light,’ is its literal meaning, and it stands on the western edge of the famous Ganges River in India. Lore tells us that Lord Shiva presented the city, Kashi, to goddess Parvati and pledged never to leave it. Many saints and sages have found spiritual inspiration in the Kashi Vishwanath Temple.

• Location: Varanasi, state of Uttar Pradesh
• Time: from 3:00 AM to 11:00 PM
• Getting There: Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport is 26 km from Varanasi. Trains coming here stop at Varanasi Junction.
• Close by attractions are Dashashwamedh Ghat, Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple, Sarnath, and Ramnagar Fort.

10. Kedarnath – Kedarnath in Uttarakhand

The Kedarnath Jyotirlinga stands at 3,583 meters high in the Himalayas and is counted as one of India’s 12 Jyotirlingas. Since the temple sits in a place with snowy peaks and near the Mandakini River, its appearance is immediately lovely to anyone who hears it. Some suppose that the Pandavas arrived at this point to seek blessings from Shiva so they could be forgiven for what happened at Kurukshetra. The temple is open for visitation during summer, as the climate is very hot at other times.

• Location: Kedarnath, India
• Time to visit: 4:00 AM to 3:00 PM and 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM
• You can fly into Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun, which is located around 239 km from Dhanaulti. The railway station at Rishikesh is the nearest to Kedarnath, which is just 215 km from the temple. The last 16 kilometers to the temple must be walked or traveled in a pony or palanquin.
• Gandhi Sarovar, Bhairavnath Temple, Vasuki Tal, and Sonprayag are close by.

11. Rameshwaram – Rameswaram Island in Tamil Nadu

It is said in mythology that Lord Rama built a Shiva Linga at this site, which gave the town emotional value, and then left for Lanka to bring back his wife, Sita. Many people are impressed by the large structure, as its corridor is the longest among all Hindu temples in India. Rameshwaram is one of the important Char Dham pilgrimage locations and also houses a famous Jyotirlinga temple.

• Location: Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu
• Open from 5:00 AM to 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM
• The quickest way to reach the area is by flying into the nearest airport, Madurai Airport, about 170 km from the area. The station has trains to most major cities.
• Dhanushkodi, the Pamban Bridge, Adam’s Bridge, and Agnitheertham are nearby.

12. Mallikarjuna – Srisailam In Andhra Pradesh

The Mallikarjuna temple at Srisailam is one of India’s 12 Jyotirlingas. It is surrounded by beautiful nature and popular with Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati’s followers. It is also thought to be connected with the 18 essential temples for Shakti worshippers of India. Shiva, carrying Parvati, came here as Mallikarjuna and Bhramaramba while their son, Kartikeya, lived nearby.

• The temple is situated in Srisailam, Andhra Pradesh
• The hours are 4:30 AM to 10:00 PM.
• You can reach Charminar by flying into Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, merely 202 km away in Hyderabad. Markapur Railway Station is about 85 km from the Srisailam resort.
• Srisailam Dam, Pathala Ganga, Akka Mahadevi Caves, and Shikaresvara Temple are nearby.

How to Plan Your Jyotirlinga Tour?

A visit to the 12 Jyotirlingas requires you to research and prepare well in advance. To make sure your journey is smooth, consider these tips.

• Look into the background of each Jyotirlinga: Every one of the 12 has history and importance. Make sure to study each location’s information ahead of the Jyotirlinga Darshan Yatra.

• Ensure you get a Jyotirlinga tour package that includes major or all the locations you want to visit.

• Plan how you will travel: Each temple is in a different state, so arrange your travel ahead of time. Pick a trustworthy way to travel by train, plane, or car for your journey.

• Reserve your hotel: Most Jyotirlingas are in small towns or secluded areas. You should book your hotel room early, especially if you’re traveling during major pilgrimage dates.

Tips for Your Jyotirlinga Darshan Yatra

Going on a Jyotirlinga Darshan Yatra may bring you peace and challenging experiences. Try these tips to help you during your trip:

• Prepare For Remote Travel: Given the locations of these temples, it’s wise to set your plans a few weeks before your trip. A Jyotirlinga tour package handles the essential parts of your travel.
• Be Modest When Dressed: Because of dress codes, you should wear clothing that covers most of your legs and arms.
• Bring Water: Due to many temples’ hilly and remote surroundings, drinking water is essential, so remember to bring a bottle.
• Follow the Traditions: Each Jyotirlinga has its own way of being honored—maintenance of a respectful and patient attitude during religious events.

The Bottom Line

All these places are ancient temples and are considered at the core of India’s spiritual heritage. All have a story about loyalty, self-sacrifice, and surprising interventions from above. Planning a trip to see a Jyotirlinga or just wanting to know more about them makes understanding their significance important for your journey. The right Jyotirlinga Travel guide will turn your trip into a spiritual journey and also give you a taste of India’s history and tradition

A Jyotirlinga tour package simplifies your journey, giving you time to connect with Lord Shiva. May your journey be filled with blessings and you experience peace at the holy Jyotirlingas.

Frequently Asked Questions About Jyotirlinga