Welcome to our new A Spiritual Journey of 12 Jyotirlingas: The Travel Guide blog. No other pilgrimage in India is more sacred to a Hindu than this site, as the divine presence of Lord Shiva in twelve Jyotirlingas represents him in India. Reaching out across the country, these temples offer much more than a visit to a holy site; they are a spiritual journey into the heart of India's cultural and religious landscapes. In this guide, you will find everything you need to know about the 12 Jyotirlingas, from travel tips to info on temples, regional highlights, and must-know rituals.
Literally, the word "Jyotirlinga" means "the radiant sign of Lord Shiva." This is India's most powerful Shiva temple. Every Jyotirlinga holds the stories of Lord Shiva's appearances and his good will. According to Hindu mythology, these Jyotirlingas are the places where Lord Shiva appeared in the light column, which proved he was the supreme god. These pilgrims visit the shrine to pay respect and to feel the power of Shiva. Book our best package! Varanasi Ayodhya Tour Package with Prayagraj.
Somnath (Gujarat)
Mallikarjuna (Andhra Pradesh)
Mahakaleshwar (Madhya Pradesh)
Omkareshwar (Madhya Pradesh)
Kedarnath (Uttarakhand)
Bhimashankar (Maharashtra)
Kashi Vishwanath (Uttar Pradesh)
Trimbakeshwar (Maharashtra)
Vaidyanath (Jharkhand)
Nageshwar (Gujarat)
Ramanathaswamy (Tamil Nadu)
Grishneshwar (Maharashtra)
Let's discuss each one by one of the individual stories of all 12 Jyotirlinga along with its significance and how to travel. Epic Yatra offers you! Varanasi Ayodhya Tour Package.
Significance: Somnath is the first Jyotirlinga and the embodiment of power. It's been destroyed and rebuilt several times but stands tall.
Location: Prabhas Patan near Veraval, Gujarat.
How to Reach: Diu is the nearest airport and Veraval is the nearest railway station.
Travel Tip: Attend the evening aarti and catch the sound-and-light show that narrates Somnath's history.
Important: This temple is on Shri Shaila Mountain, where Shiva and Shakti are worshipped in one place.
Location: Srisailam, Andhra Pradesh.
How to Reach: The nearest airports are Hyderabad and Vijayawada. The nearest rail station is Markapur.
Travel Tip: En route this Jyotirlinga, enjoy the scenery of Nallamala Forest and Krishna River.
Significance: Mahakaleshwar is unique because here the deity faces south, which means he is the Lord of Death.
Location: Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh.
How to Reach: Ujjain has a railway station. The nearest airport is Indore.
Travel Tip: Attend the Bhasma Aarti, an unique ritual performed with sacred ash early in the morning. Our best package! Varanasi Ayodhya Tour Package.
Importance: Omkareshwar is an island in the shape of the sacred 'Om' symbol and is regarded as the eternal energy of Shiva.
Place: Mandhata Island, Madhya Pradesh.
Reach: The nearest railway station is Omkareshwar Road, and the nearest airport is Indore Airport.
Travel Tip: Don't miss the picturesque boat ride to the temple, which offers a fantastic view of the Narmada River.
Importance: It is the highest Jyotirlinga located in the Himalayas and forms a part of the Char Dham.
Location: Kedarnath, Uttarakhand.
How to Reach: To be reached by trek from Gaurikund. The nearest airport is Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun.
Travel Tip: This trek is quite strenuous, so prepare well. If possible, try to reach it early in the morning when everything is serene.
Importance: Bhimashankar is considered the place where Shiva killed the demon Tripurasura.
Location: Pune district, Maharashtra.
How to Reach: The nearest railway station is Pune. Mumbai and Pune airports are closest.
Travel Tip: Nature enthusiasts can also visit the adjacent Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary.
Significance: Kashi Vishwanath in Varanasi is the spiritual capital of India, as the Hindus believe that visiting this temple releases them from the cycle of birth and death.
Location: Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.
How to Reach: Varanasi has its own airport and is well-connected by train.
Travel Tip: Take a sunrise boat ride along the Ganges for a serene and unforgettable view of Varanasi.
Significance: It has three lingas where Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva exist together.
Location: Nashik, Maharashtra.
Reach there: The nearest railway station is Nashik, and the closest airport is Mumbai.
Travel Tip: To see this place, visit during Kumbh Mela, as this takes place in Nashik once every 12 years.
Significance: It has a story of Shiva being able to heal from diseases, and Ravana performed Lord Shiva Puja there.
Location: Deoghar, Jharkhand.
How to Reach: The closest railway station is Jasidih Junction, and the closest airports are in Patna and Kolkata.
Travel Tip: The temple becomes highly crowded during the month of Shravan (July-August). If you detest that kind of crowd, take quieter visits.
Importance: Lying next to Dwarka, Nageshwar represents safety from evil energy as well as poison because, in mythology, it is said that Lord Shiva had subjugated an asura here.
Location: Next to Dwarka, Gujarat.
How to Reach: The nearest railway station is Dwarka, and the nearest airport is Jamnagar. Travel Tip: Visit this temple along with a visit to the Dwarkadhish Temple. We provide you! Varanasi Ayodhya Tour Package.
Importance: This temple is the one where Lord Rama prayed to Shiva on his way to Lanka. It is located on Rameshwaram Island.
Location: Rameshwaram, Tamil Nadu.
How to Reach: The nearest airport is Madurai, and Rameshwaram has a railway station.
Travel Tip: Observe the corridor architecture and take a dip in the 22 holy wells (Teerthams) surrounding the temple.
Significance: It is the last of the 12 Jyotirlingas; it is located in the Ellora Caves, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Where: Aurangabad, Maharashtra.
By Road/Flight/Air: Nearest Airport to Ellora: Aurangabad.
Recommended visit: Come in conjunction with the Ellora tour that would present a good and holistic Indian past and the architecture that would help trace India's old days through the stones.
Book our package! Varanasi Ayodhya Tour Package with Prayagraj. Planning a tour of all 12 Jyotirlingas is highly tough as they are spread all over India and with varying altitudes, climates, and terrains. Some of the important tips are given below:
Best time to visit: All temples are accessible throughout the year. The best time is generally the winter season-October to March as it is free from either excessive heat or monsoon conditions.
Travel Insurance and Health: Given the diverse terrain, from Himalayas to coastal plains, one needs travel insurance. Get a doctor's checkup before beginning trekking or visiting places that are relatively far-off.
Clothing and Footwear: Respectful and traditional dress must be worn, especially when visiting temples. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended as you need to walk for a considerable distance on foot to Kedarnath and Bhimashankar.
Puja and Rituals: The customs vary in all Jyotirlinga temples. Like Bhasma Aarti in Mahakaleshwar, it needs to be booked in advance, and for Ramanathaswamy, there are dipping rituals that need to be planned.
Local Transport: For example, some temples like Kedarnath and Bhimashankar require going by train, bus or even boat together.
The 12 Jyotirlingas are a pilgrimage experience. Each temple invites you to connect with different facets of Lord Shiva and offers the opportunity to explore different landscapes, rich histories, and profound spiritual teachings. Be you an ardent devotee or a seeker of the higher self, this 12 Jyotirlinga tour is something more than extraordinary; it is more like an experience with the eternal spirit of India's devotional sense. Our best package! Varanasi Ayodhya Tour Package with Prayagraj.