Dwadasa Jyotir Lingams

Somnath - Saurasthra(Gujrat) - The first among the 12 Aadi Jyotirlings of India. It has a strategic location on the western coast of India. The shore temple of Somnath is believed to have been built in 4 phases-in gold by Lord Soma, in silver by Ravi, in wood by lord Krishna and in stone by King Bhimadeva



Mallikarjuna Swamy in Srisailam, AP - Situated on Shri Shaila mountain by the banks of Patal Ganga, it is known as Kailash of the South.



3. Mahakaleshwer at Ujjain (Madhya Pradesh) - Mahakala, the destroyer form of lord shiva, who killed the eemies of King Chandrasena; The main attraction of this temple is Bhasmabhishekam (Ash)



Mamleshwar / Onkareshwar - Dweep,(Madhya Pradesh) - Once sage Naradar during his visit to the Vindyas, sang the praise of mount Meru to Mount Vindhya. On hearing this, Mount Vindhya prayed to Lord Shiva to gain in importance. Lord Shiva blessed him & appeared here as Omkareshwarar & Amaleshwarar and gave the boon of grwoing, but without hindering Shiva devotees.




Kedarnath is highest among the 12 Jyotirlingas, located in the Rudra Himalaya range. This temple, over a thousand years old is built of massive stone slabs over a large rectangular platform. Ascending through the large gray steps leading to the holy sanctums we find inscriptions in Pali on the steps. The present temple was built by Adi Shankaracharya.The inner walls of the temple sanctum are adorned with figures of various deities and scenes from mythology.




6.Bheemshankar - Dakinya , Maharashtra - Once a demon called Bhima lived with his mother Karkati in the dense forests of Dakini, on the lofty ranges of the Sahaydris. It is said that Bhima was so cruel that every one was scared of him. Lord Shiva reduced the evil demon to ashes and thus concluded the saga of tyranny. All the Gods and the holy sages present there requested Lord Shiva to make this place his abode. Lord Shiva thus manifested himself in the form of the Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga. It is believed that the sweat that poured forth from Lord Shiva’s body after the battle formed the Bhimarathi River



7.Vishweshwar / Vishavanath Kashi (Uttar Pradesh)

Goddess Parvati's mother felt ashamed that her son-in-law had no decent dwelling. To please Parvati Devi, Shiva asked Nikumbha to provide him with a dwelling place at Kashi.On the request of Nikumbha, Aunikumbha a brahmin made Divodas construct a temple for the Lord here. The pleased Lord granted boons to all his devotees!



8.Trayambakeshwar- Gautami Tat (Maharashtra) - The Lord Shiva at Trimbakeshwar is worshipped by recitations of Rudra, Rudri, Laghu Rudra, Maha Rudra or Ati Rudra puja. Rudrashakam is a religious fruit which is said to be found in lord Shiva's neck in the form of Rudra garland.

 

9. Vaidhyanath Parli,Deoghar(Jharkhand)

The demon lord from of the Ramayan, the devout Ravana meditated hard to invoke Lord Shiva, and requested him to come over to Sri Lanka, in order that his capital may become invincible. It is said that he attempted to lift the holy mountain, Lord Shiva's abode, Mount Kailash and take it with him to his capital; however Shiva crushed him with his leg thumb, and Ravana prayed to him and sought his mercy, after which Shiva gave him one of the twelve Jyotirlingams with the condition that if it was placed on the ground it would take root immediately.

 

 

10.Naageshwer- Darukavan (Maharashtra) - There once lived a rakshasa called Daruka, who was extremely cruel and tortured the good ones. But yet he was a great devotee of Lord Shiva. A Shiva devotee, Supriya who was a merchant reached the Darukavanam, where Daruka lived with his wife Daruki, while sailing with his goods.The enraged Daruka began to torture Supriya. Supriya however was staunch is his faith in the Lord and was unmoved by any torture. Lord Shiva was pleased and appeared and killed the demon Daruka..

 

 

Ghushmeshwar / Grishneshwar Shivalaya (Rajasthan)

 

 

 

12.Rameshwaram - Setubandh,TamilNadu - It was Lord Rama who installed this Linga here, made of sand and worshipped it