1. Somnath Temple
Somnath, one of the 12 famous Shiva temples in India, is greatly revered by pilgrims and Hindu devotees, who even see it as the pinnacle of spiritual awakening. The Chalukya dynasty heavily influences the temple complex’s architecture and features a highly ornate shrine to Lord Shiva.
Furthermore, the legend claims that Mahadev visited this holy place. It possesses a fascinating element because many legends are associated with this specific Lord Shiva shrine. To learn more about Somnath – the biggest Jyotirlinga in India, and its mysterious stories, plan a trip ahead!
Temple Opening Hours
The Somnath temple opens at 6 AM and closes at 9 PM daily. 7 AM, 7 PM, and also Noon is the perfect time for Aarti in this holy place. If you’re planning to attend the renowned ‘Joy Somnath’ light & sound show, be ready to visit the temple between 8 PM and 9 PM.
How to Reach
State highways provide good access from Somnath to important Gujarati cities, including Dwarka, Ahmedabad, Chorwad, and Junagadh. Somnath is the closest railway station (0.5 km). All of Gujarat’s major cities offer daily train service. Direct flights are not available to Somnath. It’s 85 kilometers from the closest airport in Diu. With the best tour packages in India, reaching Somnath temple becomes easier than ever. 2. Omkareshwar Temple
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2. Omkareshwar Temple
In Madhya Pradesh, on a small island called Shivapuri along the Narmada River, is the renowned Shiva Jyotirlinga - Omkareshwar. Hindus, therefore, hold this location in the highest esteem as sacrosanct.
Long ago, the Danavas (Demons) and the Devas (Gods) fought a fierce battle they ultimately won. The Devas suffered a severe setback due to the fight, so they turned to Lord Shiva and begged for his assistance.
After hearing their petitions, Lord Shiva decided to intervene on their behalf by vanquishing the Danavas in the shape and Swarup (form) of Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga.
Temple Opening Hours:
Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga temple is open daily, and the visiting hours’ range between 5 AM and 10 PM. However, if you’re visiting the temple only for ‘Darshan’ purposes, the timing is:
5:30 AM – 12:20 PM
4:00 PM – 8:30 PM
How To Reach:
Khandwa Junction, located around 70 miles from the temple, is the closest railroad station to Omkareshwar. You can take a taxi to the temple after you arrive. Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Airport, which is roughly 85 kilometres from the Omkareshwar temple, is the closest airport.
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3. Rameshwaram Temple
In the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, a little town named Rameshwaram is located on Pamban Island. Following Ravana’s kidnapping of Devi Sita, Lord Rama constructed a bridge from this location up to Sri Lanka to fight Ravana.
Two jyotirlingas, one created by Lord Rama and the other carried from Kashi by Hanuman, can be found at the Dravidian-styled Ramanathaswamy Temple. The one brought by Hanuman is a counterpart of the Kashi Vishwanath jyotirlinga.
According to one of the temple’s customs, visitors must first bathe at any of the facility’s 22 water bodies before offering devotion to the Jyotirlinga.
Temple Opening Hours:
The opening hours of the Rameshwaram Jyotirlinga temple are divided into two shifts. Every day, this time opens its door for devotees from 5 AM – 1 PM and 3 PM – 9 PM.
How To Reach:
Rameshwaram is about 174 kilometers from the closest airport in Madurai. Every city and town in Tamil Nadu has access to this important pilgrimage location. There are many public and commercial buses available. The closest rail station is at Rameshwaram Railway Station, 1 km from the temple.
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4. Mahakaleshwar Temple
Fourth on the 12 jyotirlinga list is the Mahakaleshwar Temple. It is situated in the deep Mahakal forest in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, beside the Kshipra River. The origin story of this Jyotirlinga is the subject of several stories.
The Puranas claim that Shrikar, a five-year-old kid, was mesmerized by the king of Ujjain’s attachment to Lord Shiva. Shrikar picked up a stone, believed Shiva lay within the stone, and began to offer the stone (considering it Lord Shiva) his worship.
Many individuals tried to discourage him, but his dedication only grew. Lord Shiva, who was happy and pleased with his devotion, took the shape of a Jyotirlinga on that stone and lived in the Mahakal forest.
Temple Opening Hours:
You can visit the Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga in India throughout the week between 4 AM in the morning to 11 PM at night.
How To Reach:
Ujjain Junction, located just over two kilometers from Somnath, is the most convenient station for travelers. You can take a cab to the temple after arriving. Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Airport, which is around 57 km from the Mahakaleshwar temple, is the closest airport. Get a cab from the airport to visit the temple directly. Vaidyanath Jyotirlinga/Baba Baidyanath/Vaijnath Temple
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5. Vaidyanath Jyotirlinga/Baba Baidyanath/Vaijnath Temple
One of the most well-known 12 Jyotirlinga in India is Vaidyanath Dham, also referred to as Baba Baidyanath Temple or just Baba Dham. In India’s Jharkhand province, the temple is situated in Deoghar.
Hindu legend states that Ravana once requested Shiva to come to Lanka after worshipping him. Shiva appeared to Ravana as a shivling and told him not to let it down till he entered Lanka. Ravana agreed to the stipulation and left for Sri Lanka.
While they were traveling, Lord Vishnu intervened as Jaldevta and convinced Ravana to leave the shivling alone. As a result, Ravana neglected the circumstance and left the shivling in place.
Since that time, Shiva has resided in the town of Deoghar as Vaidyanath. Many devotees travel on a yearly pilgrimage called the Kanwar Yatra throughout the Shravan month to dispense holy water emanating from the Ganga on the Jyotirlinga at Baba Dham.
Temple Opening Hours:
The Baba Baidyanath temple is open daily, allowing devotees to enter, pray, worship, and dip into the divine between 5 AM and 9 PM.
How To Reach:
Jasidih Junction, which is about 15 km away from the Baba Baidyanath temple, is the closest railway station to reach this auspicious Shiva temple. One can book a train or even travel on the road from Ranchi to reach this railway station.
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6. Kedarnath Temple
Situated at 1200 feet in the Rudra Himalayan Range, Kedarnath Jyotirlinga is a Hindu holy site that counts as one of the four dhams. When it comes to the 12 Jyotirlinga temple list, Kedarnath is the most adventurous- and- amazing to visit.
It is only open from May to June because it is closed for six months throughout the winter because of the bitterly cold temperatures and heavy snowfall. When traveling to Kedarnath, pilgrims first stop at Gangotri and Yamunotri to obtain holy water that they then present to the Kedarnath Shivling. Remember that several Kedarnath tour packages include visiting both Gangotri and Yamunotri.
People believe one can banish all unhappiness, bad fortune, and calamities by going to the Kedarnath temple and bathing in the Jyotirlinga. The somewhat challenging ascent to Kedarnath is hiked using walking sticks, mules, or dolis. To save hassle, many devotees visit Kedarnath by booking a Kedarnath trek package.
Temple Opening Hours:
Kedarnath stays open all throughout the week, enabling devotees to enter and worship between 4 AM till 9 PM.
How To Reach:
The Rishikesh Railway Station, located about 210 miles from the Gaurikund, is the closest train station to the temple. The temple is only accessible by foot; the distance from Gurikund to the temple is roughly 17 kilometers. A helicopter ride is also an option for sophisticated devotees or those who cannot trek that long. Jolly Grant Airport, which is around 225 kilometers from Gaurikund, is the closest airport. Get yourself the best Kedarnath tour package to save yourself from all these traveling hassles.
Aarti Time: Visit the official site
Also read: guidelines for Kedarnath Yatra
7. Nageshwar Jyotirlinga Temple
Also popular as Nagnath temple, the Nageshwar temple is a must-visit place in Gujarat. As a symbol of the ability to protect against all poisons, Nageshwar is one of India’s most well-known 12 Jyotirlinga temples.
The temple’s idol is Dakshinamurti, made of pink stone. The Sanctorum is only open to Hindu devotees who wish to worship or perform Abhishek. The Shiv Puranas contain a mythology about a demon named Daaruka who once imprisoned Supriya, a follower of Lord Shiva.
Supriya was brought to Daaruka’s home city of Darukavana, along with many others. It was a city beneath the waves with numerous demons and sea snakes. Lord Shiva arrived before them and defeated the Demon after Supriya, and others began to pray to him. Since then, he has lived there as one of the 12 Jyotirlingas in India.
Temple Opening Hours:
The visiting hours of the Nageshwar temple are divided into two shifts. One can visit the Nagnath temple every day between 5 AM and 1 PM and 3 PM and 9 PM.
How To Reach:
You can travel to Nageshwar temple via train from either Dwarka or Veraval railway station. For people traveling by air, book tickets for Jamnagar Airport. The temple is only 45 km away from the airport, accessible via cab or taxi.
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8. Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga Temple
You likely know that Bhimashankar is one of the best hiking destinations in Maharashtra. However, there is a reason for this: it is home to one of the 12 jyotirlingas in India!
The Jyotirlinga, which is surrounded by lush vegetation on all sides, is thought to have been built by Bheema, Kumbhakarna’s son. Surprisingly, it is also tucked away on the banks of the River Bhima.
During Maha Shivratri, worshippers travel around the state, transforming the area into a carnival-like sanctuary. You should undoubtedly choose to visit this Jyotirlinga with the best trip planners in India.
Temple Opening Time:
You can visit Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga only on weekdays between 4:30 AM to 12 PM and 4 PM to 9:30 PM. Darshan begins at five in the morning and lasts until 9:30 PM. During Madhyan Aarti in the late afternoon, darshan is suspended for 45 minutes.
How To Reach:
Bhimashankar has no direct flights available. Pune Airport is the closest airport. Bhimashankar Temple is not accessible by train in direct manner. Pune, 120 kilometers from the Temple, is the closest railway station. Daily bus services are available from Pune to Bhimashankar temple at 5:30 AM. These buses return at 4:00 PM.
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9. Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga Temple
When it comes to the Jyotirlinga in India list, you’d definitely want to add the Grishneshwar temple to your bucket list. Located in Maharashtra, near the Verul village, this Shiva temple attracts many devotees and foreigners throughout the year. Also, the Ajanta and Ellora caves, a well-known tourist destination, are close to this temple. The sacred Grishneshwar temple is the home to one of India’s 12 Jyotirlingas, or shrines to Lord Shiva. This temple, built by Ahilyabai Holkar, is also called Kusum Eswarar or Gru Someswara. Every visitor is mesmerized by the magnificent sculpture of Vishnu’s Dashavatar, which has been carved out of red rock.
Temple Opening Time:
The Grishneshwar temple is open from 5:30 AM to 11 PM. For Darshan, devotees must visit the temple between 5:30 AM and 9:00 PM.
How To Reach:
The Aurangabad Railway Station, which is located 34 kilometres from the temple, is the closest train station. You can rent a cab or auto to get to the shrine upon arrival. The Aurangabad Airport, which is also 41 kilometres from the temple, is the closest airport.
10. Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga Temple
You'll find the Mallikarjuna temple on the Shri Shaila Mountain in the southern part of Andhra Pradesh. Mallikarjuna, one of India’s largest Shaivite shrines, is sometimes called the “Kailash of the South.”
Mallikarjuna (Shiva) and Bhramaramba (Devi) serve as the presiding deities at this temple. Do you know the Mallikarjuna temple houses the Gods Shiva and Parvati?
Devotees love the exquisite architecture and carvings of this one of the 52 Shakti Peeths. You’ll also love the adorned gopurams and mukha mandapa hall. Undoubtedly, one of the most significant Shaivite shrines in the nation is Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga.
Temple Opening Time:
The Mallikarjuna temple opens every day from 4:30 AM. The last time to visit the temple is at 10:00 PM. For those visiting Mallikarjuna for Darshan, the timing ranges between 6:30 AM – 1:00 PM, followed by 6:30 PM – 9:00 PM.
How To Reach:
From the surrounding towns of Dornala, Markarpur, and Kurichedu, you can drive to Mallikarjuna. The closest railway station to this Shiva temple is Markapur Railway Station.
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11. Kashi Vishwanath Temple
This Jyotirlinga is located in Kashi (Varanasi), a sacred city. Despite being ranked ninth on the Dwadasha Jyotirlinga Stotram, this Jyotirlinga is undoubtedly the most significant one. The temple has been sacked by attackers numerous times, yet it has always been rebuilt.
Ahilyabai Holkar, the Maheshwar queen, restored the current Kashi Vishwanath Temple. The temple’s two domes were decked in gold by Raja Ranjit Singh in the seventeenth century. Nearly 5,000 people attend the temple daily, and on some auspicious days like Mahashivratri, that number might reach two lakhs. Temple
Opening Time:
You can visit the Kashi Vishwanath temple any day from 2:30 AM to 11:00 PM.
How To Reach:
The Varanasi Junction, located 5 km from the temple, is the closest railway station. You can rent a cab or a car to go to the temple after arriving. Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport is the closest airport and is located about 25 kilometres from the temple.
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12. Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga Temple
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Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga Temple The Godavari River, often referred to as the Gautami Ganga originates in the Brahmagiri mountain, which is close to the Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga.
God supposedly manifested as Trimbakeshwar when the Godavari River and Gautami Rishi begged Lord Shiva to live here, says the Shiva Purana. This Jyotirlinga’s form is what makes it most distinctive. Here, instead of a shrine, is a void that has three pillars inside of it.
Temple Opening Time:
The Trimbakeshwar temple opens at 9:30 AM and closes at 9:00 PM.
How To Reach:
The Nasik Road, which is located about 38 kilometers from the temple, is the closest railway station. You can rent a cab or auto to get to the shrine upon arrival. Nashik Airport, which is also 50 kilometers from the temple, is the closest airport.
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12 Jyotirlinga In India: Choose The Best Tour Planner In India
Due to time restrictions and vast distances, seeing all 12 Jyotirlinga in one journey is impossible. Experts and experienced devotees advise covering each state individually. So, choose the best tour planner in India, learn where to begin the journey to the 12 jyotirlingas from, and where to end.
Ending Note
“Naa aadi na ant uska, wo sabka naa inka naa unka, wahi shunya hai wahi aekaay, jiske bhitar basa Shivaay”. Explore these 12 Jyotirlingas in India in your lifetime and delve into the chant of “Har Har Mahadev''!
