12 Jyotirlinga Names of Shiva Shrine

A Jyotirlinga is a special shrine where Lord Shiva appears as an orb of light. There are 12 jyotirlinga name with each one having its own special history and story behind it.

Somnath temple in Gujarat is one of 12 Jyotirlingas. Devoted to Lord Shiva and considered nature’s first Jyotirlinga creation.

Somnath

Somnath, located near Veraval in Gujarat’s Prabhas Patan district, is one of the premier Shiva shrines. Considered one of the 12 Jyotirlingas in India, Somnath attracts many Hindu worshipers who come here every year.

According to legend, it is said that Daksha Prajapati had 27 daughters whom the moon god married off, yet he favoured Rohini over all the others. Outraged, Prajapati cursed the moon god to lose his beauty and charm; to combat the effects of this curse he worshipped Lord Shiva who then blessed him and lifted the spell.

This temple, commonly referred to as the Eternal Shrine, had been repeatedly vandalized and looted over time but Hindu kings rebuilt it each time with great determination.

Mahakaleshwar

Mahakaleshwar Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is one of 12 Jyotirlingas and contains a Lingam that is thought to have materialized itself naturally; drawing its energy from within. Additionally, it is one of 18 Maha Shakti Peethas.

Mahakaleshwar’s Lingam is known as Dakshina Mukhi and faces south, as opposed to its counterparts which face east – representing death – but this one may help prevent untimely deaths.

The Mahakaleshwar Temple can be found in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh. Devoted to Lord Shiva and considered one of the foremost shrines for Shaivism.

Vaidyanath

Vaidyanath, also known as Baidyanath, is one of 51 Shakti Peethas where Sati’s heart fell. It is said that those who recites Shiva Purana daily at this shrine will be exonerated of all sin and eligible to obtain all Siddhis.

Mythological texts assert that Ravana worshiped Lord Shiva at this temple before embarking on his Lanka expedition, and as a reward received a Jyotirlinga that would appear wherever Ravana touched earth. Since then it has become a pilgrimage site for Shiv Bhakts; some believe visiting here cures all diseases and brings happiness to their life.

Tryambakeshwar

This black stone temple dedicated to Lord Shiva can be found near the source of India’s longest river Godavari. Featured inside this shrine is an image called Stambha (endless pillar), symbolizing His infinite nature. Also referred to as Trimbakeshwar this jyotirlinga draws devotees from across India on Shivaratri and Shravan days.

Hindu beliefs believe there are three primary gods: Brahma – Creator, Vishnu – Preserver and Shiva (Mahakal). The Supreme God can be represented by this south-facing jyotirlinga which represents its deity; Kusum worshiped this linga by immersing it in water as part of her ritual, even after receiving punishment from her husband but continuing this practice nonetheless.

Nageshwar

A Jyotirlinga is a shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva that depicts various manifestations. The term is derived from Sanskrit words “jyothi,” meaning radiance, and “linga,” or phallus. Hindu devotees worship 12 Jyotirlingas as paths leading directly into heaven.

The Nageshwar Jyotirlinga temple is well known for its ability to protect devotees against poisonous substances. Situated along Gujarat’s Saurashtra Coast between Gomati Dwarka and Bait Dwarka, it draws thousands of devotees each year.

Kusuma was an exemplary devotee who would daily worship Lord Shiva by immersing the Shiva Linga into a pond. Even when her husband’s other wife became jealous and killed their son, Kusuma continued her devotion with peace.

Kashi Vishwanath

Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh is considered one of India’s holiest religious centers. Legend holds that when there was an argument between Vishnu and Brahma over who was superior, Lord Shiva manifested as a pillar of light that rose through the earth before reaching into heaven – this Jyotirlinga is where Kashi Vishwanath now stands as proof.

Lord Vishwanath is also known by its Sanskrit name Vishveshwara, meaning the “Ruler of the Universe”. Many believe that taking a dip in River Ganga followed by visiting this temple can bring about Moksha, or spiritual freedom.