12 Jyotirlingas in India You Must Visit for Maha Shivratri

12 Jyotirlinga in India

India is a land of diverse cultures, traditions, and religions. The festival of Maha Shivratri is one of the most important and most celebrated festival across the nation. One of the most significant aspects of Maha Shivratri is when people honour the Shivling. 

The Shivling, or Shiva Linga, symbolizes Lord Shiva, an important deity in Hinduism associated with creation and destruction. It also represents the importance of the phallus in the process of creation.

People pray and fast to honour Shiva on Maha Shivratri. The Shivling symbolizes Shiva's power and the idea of creation in the universe. It reminds people of Shiva's presence everywhere and the natural cycles of the world.

To enhance your happy Maha Shivratri celebrations, you can visit one of the twelve holy shrines of Lord Shiva in India – the Jyotirlingas.

These 12 Jyotirlingas in India are considered as the most sacred and powerful abodes of Lord Shiva, and they are spread across different parts of India.

12 JYOTIRLINGA’S ORDERWISE	NAMES OF JYOTIRLINGA’S	STATE
First Jyotirlinga	Shree Somnath Jyotirlinga	Veraval (Somnath) - Gujarat
Second Jyotirlinga	Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga	Srisailam - Andhra Pradesh
Third Jyotirlinga	Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga	Jaisinghpura, Ujjain - Madhya Pradesh
Fourth Jyotirlinga	Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga	Khandwa - Madhya Pradesh
Fifth Jyotirlinga	Kedarnath Temple	Kedarnath, Rudraprayag - Uttarakhand
Sixth Jyotirlinga	Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga	Bhimashankar, Pune - Maharashtra
Seventh Jyotirlinga	Kashi Vishwanath Jyotirlinga	Lahori Tola, Varanasi - Uttar Pradesh
Eighth Jyotirlinga	Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga	Shrimant Peshwe Path, Trimbak - Maharashtra
Ninth Jyotirlinga	Nageshwar Jyotirlinga	Daarukavanam, Devbhumi Dwarika - Gujarat
Tenth Jyotirlinga	Baidyanath Jyotirlinga	Shivganga Muhalla, Dardmara - Jharkhand
Eleventh Jyotirlinga	Rameshwaram Jyotirlinga	Rameswaram - Tamil Nadu
Tweleth Jyotirlinga	Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga	Aurangabad - Maharashtra

The Importance of Maha Shivratri

The festival of Maha Shivratri is an important Hindu festival that honours Lord Shiva. The importance of Maha Shivratri is that it is a special night for prayer, meditation, and reflection. People believe that spiritual energy is stronger on this night, so they fast, pray, and chant to connect with Shiva. 

The festival celebrates the idea of creation, preservation, and destruction, reminding us of the cycles of life. It also represents the victory of light over darkness, encouraging people to overcome ignorance and seek truth. Maha Shivratri is a time for coming together in devotion and celebration, strengthening the sense of community and shared faith.

Why Visit the Jyotirlingas for the festival of Maha Shivratri

Pilgrimage to the 12 Jyotirlingas is an important religious ritual for devotees of Lord Shiva, especially for the festival of Maha Shivratri. People believe that visiting these shrines can bestow them with immense blessings and spiritual fulfilment. 

The Jyotirlingas in India are also renowned for their architectural splendour and beautiful surroundings that make them an ideal destination for travellers seeking a blend of spiritual and cultural experiences.

List of 12 Jyotirlinga in India 

Let’s take a journey to discover the 12 Jyotirlinga in India that you must visit in 2024 for Maha Shivratri. From the famous Somnath Temple in Gujarat to the serene Trimbakeshwar Temple in Maharashtra, each of these Jyotirlingas has a unique history, significance, and charm that will leave you spellbound. 

So, get ready to embark on a spiritual journey to the most sacred shrines of Lord Shiva in India!

1. Somnath Temple, Gujarat

Located on the shores of the Arabian Sea, the Somnath Temple Jyotirlinga in Gujarat is one of the first shrines of the 12 Jyotirling list. Considered to be the holiest of all Jyotirlingas, the temple is originally believed to have been constructed with pure gold and silver.

According to a legend, the Moon God, Somdev had 27 wives (daughters of Daksha Prajapati), out of them he only loved Rohini. Seeing this, Daksha Prajapati cursed the Moon God to have his brightness consumed by the darkness of night. It is believed, the grief-stricken Somdev prayed to the Jyotirlinga of Lord Shiva for 4000 years at the place where the Somnath Temple is located today.

Wishing your loved ones happy Maha Shivratri in the presence of this temple will be a divine experience.

Somnath Temple Timings: The temple is open for darshan for the devotees from 6 am to 10 am. The aarti in the temple happens thrice daily, i.e., at 7 am, 12 noon, and 7 pm.

How to Reach Somnath - There are flights to Rajkot, which is around 160 km away from Somnath. The rest of the journey can be done by road from Rajkot.

2.      Mallikarjuna Temple, Andhra Pradesh

Boasting a spectacular Dravidian style of architecture, Mallikarjuna Temple in Srisailam, Andhra Pradesh was built around 1234 AD, by the Hoysala King, Vira Narsimha. Also known as Srisailam Temple, this Shiva temple is perched on a hill and is adorned with stunning wall sculptures and carvings depicting scenes from Ramayana and Mahabharata. This is one of the most famous 12 Jyotirlinga in India.

According to the Shiv Purana, Lord Shiva took the form of Jyotirlinga here on the Krauncha Mountain while consoling his son Kartikeya, owing to the marriage of his younger brother, Lord Ganesha, before his.

Mallikarjuna Temple Timings: The darshan, abhishekam, and archanas by the devotees starts from 6:30 am and ends at 1 pm. These also happen in the evening from 6.20 pm to 9.00 pm.

How to Reach Mallikarjuna Temple - The temple is located around 180 km from Kurnool, and 213 km from Hyderabad. Pilgrims coming by train would need to alight at the railway station in either Markapur or Tarlupadu. These stations are between 2 and 2.5 hours by road from Srisailam. 

3.    Mahakaleshwar Temple, Madhya Pradesh

Situated in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, on the banks of River Kshipra, Mahakaleshwar Temple is not only one of the Jyotirlinga in India but also amongst the Tantra Temples of India. The importance of Maha Shivratri celebration at this temple is highlighted by the large number of devotees who gather to offer prayers and the special rituals performed in honor of Lord Shiva.

The main highlight of Mahakaleshwar Temple is its Bhasm-Aarti, the first ritual performed in the morning during which the Shivlinga is bathed with the ashes taken from a fresh funeral pyre.

It is believed that Lord Shiva appeared in Ujjain from the ground to vanquish a demon called ‘Dushana’, who tortured people and Brahmins of the Ujjain city. After killing the demon, Lord Shiva took the form of the Jyotirlinga and since then, has been believed to be residing in this holy city.

Mahakaleshwar Temple Timings: The temple is open for devotees from 4 am to 11 pm. Don’t miss out on the Bhashma aarti which happens from 4 am to 6 am. You also attend the morning aarti (7 am to 7:30 am) or the evening aarti (5 pm to 5:30 pm).

How to reach Mahakaleshwar Temple: The nearest airport is in Indore, which is about 55 km away from Ujjain. From Indore, you can hire a taxi or take a bus to reach Ujjain. Once you reach Ujjain, you can hire a local taxi or auto-rickshaw to reach Mahakaleshwar Temple, which is in the heart of the city. 

4.  Omkareshwar Temple and Mamleshwar Temple, Madhya Pradesh

The temples of Omkareshwar and Mamleshwar are situated on an island called Mandhata in Madhya Pradesh. Many devotees gather here for the darshan of Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga on the occasions of Shivratri, Maha Shivratri, and Kartik Poornima. The temple of Mamleshwar is separated from Omkareshwar by a narrow ridge.

As per Hindu mythology, Vindhya Parbat performed a penance to please Lord Shiva; as a reward, Lord Shiva appeared here and blessed the Vindhya Parbat with his wish of being greater than Meru Parbat. The Linga which was worshipped by Vindhya Parbat was split into two parts Omkareshwar and Mamleshwar at the request of Gods and sages. 

Since then, it is believed Omkareshwar and Mamleshwar temples are the single form of the same Shiva Lingam. You will see many devotees visiting them for the festival of Maha Shivratri.

Omkareshwar and Mamleshwar Temple Timings: The temple is open all day for darshan from 5:00 am to 9:30 am.

How to Reach Omkareshwar Temple: The nearest airport is Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Airport in Indore, which is approximately 77 km away. From there, you can take a taxi or bus to Omkareshwar.

5. Baidyanath Dham, Jharkhand

Amongst the 12 famous Shiva temples in India, Baidyanath Dham is situated in Jharkhand. This Shiva temple is in Deoghar in the Santhal Parganas division and is accompanied by 21 temples. The sacred Shivlinga existing here is gem studded. The eight-petaled lotus known as ‘Chandrakanta Mani’ is the most beautiful sight to behold.

As the legend goes, this is where Ravana sacrificed his ten heads in order to gain the favour of Lord Shiva. The heads were then joined back by Lord Shiva, who acted like a Vaidya (Doctor), and thus, the place was named Baidynath Dham.

Baidyanath Temple Timings: The morning darshan happens from 4 am to 1:30 pm. The evening darshan takes place from 6 pm to 9 pm.

How to Reach Baidyanath Dham - The nearest railway station to Baidyanath Dham is in Deoghar, which is only 7 km away.

6.     Bhimashankar Temple, Maharashtra

Bhimashankar Temple is situated in a small village called Bhorgiri amidst the Sahyadri Hills near Pune in Maharashtra. The architecture of the temple is the main draw. The temple’s Garba Griha (sanctum sanctorum) is a beautiful meld of Rajasthani and Gujarati style. The outer walls of the temple depict the scenes from Shiv Leela, Krishna Leela, Ramayana, and Mahabharata. Thousands and lakhs of devotees visit this Jyotirlinga in Maharashtra each year, especially on the day of Maha Shivratri.

According to Hindu mythology, Lord Shiva took a Rudra avatar to kill a wicked demon called Tripurasura, who was in a rage of destroying the three worlds (lok): Heaven, Hell, and Nether (Patal). After killing the demon, Shiva sat down on Sahyadri Mountains. It is then, the sweat from his body started flowing and turned into the Bhima River. On request from the Devas, Lord Shiva stayed on these mountains in the form of Jyotirlinga.

Bhimashankar Temple Timings: The temple opens at 4:30 am and regular pooja and abhishek commences from 5:30 am. From 3:30 pm onwards, the Shringar darshan starts. Please note that it might take 2 to 2.5 hours for the darshan, depending on the crowd.

How to Reach Bhimashankar Temple - The nearest airport to Bhorgiri is in Pune, which is 125 km away. One can travel by road from Pune to Bhorgiri, easily. 

7.    Ramanathaswamy Temple, Tamil Nadu

Situated in the holy town of Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu, Ramanathaswamy Temple is not only one of the 12 famous Shiva Temples in India but also part of the Chardham circuit in India. The temple is known for its fine architecture - majestic towers, sculpted pillars, and lavish corridors.

It is said that Rameswaram was sanctified by Lord Rama after returning from Lanka, where he killed the demon, Ravana. For the atonement for his sins, he wanted to pray to Lord Shiva in the form of a Shivlinga. So, he sent Lord Hanuman to get the biggest lingam from the Himalayas. As Lord Hanuman took very long to get the Shivlinga, Goddess Sita created a Shivlinga from the sand.

Ramanathaswamy Temple Timings: In the morning, the temple remains open from 5 am to 1 pm. In the evening, the temple opens for pilgrims at 3 pm and closes at 9 pm.

How to Reach Ramanathaswamy Temple - There are trains from Madurai and one can also get here by road from Madurai easily.

8.    Nageshwar Temple, Gujarat

Located near Dwarka in Gujarat, Nageshwar Mahadev Temple is the home of one of the twelve Jyotirlingas in India of Lord Shiva. A 25-meter-tall statue of Lord Shiva in a seated posture is the major attraction of this Jyotirlingain Gujarat.

As per the Shiv Purana, a demon named Daruka was blessed by Goddess Parvati. Misusing the blessings from the Goddess, Daruka tyrannized the local people and imprisoned a Shiva devotee named Supriya along with some other people. On the advice of Supriya, the inmates started to chant Shiv Mantra. Seeing this, Daruka raged in anger and rushed to kill Supriya, however, suddenly Lord Shiva in the form of Jyotirlinga appeared to protect her and other devotees.

Nageshwar Temple Timings: The temple opens at 5:30 am and you can offer prayers early in the morning. Don’t miss out on the Maha Bhog aarti from 12 noon to 12:30 pm. Please note that the temple closes at 9 pm.

How to Reach Nageshwar Temple - The nearest airport to Dwarka is in Jamnagar, approximately 137 km away. From Jamnagar, one can travel by road to Dwarka.

9.  Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Uttar Pradesh

Kashi Vishwanath is an iconic temple situated in the holy city of Varanasi. The temple originally dates back to the 11th century; however, the present-day temple is said to have been renovated by Rani Ahilya Bai Holkar in 1780. The temple’s highlight is its gold-plated spires. The temple is the most sought-after among the 12 famous Shiva temples in India. You would love the experience of visiting here for the festival of Maha Shivratri.

According to mythology, Lord Shiva appeared in the form of an endless pillar of fire to stop the ongoing battle for supremacy between Lord Vishnu and Brahma. While the pillar of fire vanished after Lord Shiva declared Lord Vishnu ‘Supreme’, there is believed to be a part of it that remained in Kashi as Vishwanath Jyotirlinga.

Kashi Vishwanath Temple Timings: The Mangla aarti takes place everyday from 3 am to 4 am, whereas the Bhog aarti takes place from 11:15 am to 12:20 pm. If you want to witness the night Shringar, it happens from 9 pm to 10:15 pm, and if you wish to get the Rudrabhishek done by the Shastri, it can happen at any time, from 4 am to 6 pm.  

How to Reach Kashi Vishwanath - Varanasi has an international airport with flights to many domestic and international destinations.

10.    Trimbakeshwar Temple, Maharashtra 

Reckoned as the legacy of Balaji Bajirao, Trimbakeshwar Temple is set amidst scenic settings of Brahmagiri and Kalagiri Hills near Nashik, Maharashtra. This popular Jyotirlinga in Maharashtra is built of black stone in the Nagara style of architecture and the inner sanctum houses the Trimbakeshwar Shivling. 

There is a pond named ‘Kushavarta’ on the premises of the temple, which is said to be the origin point of the Godavari River. The most fascinating sight at the temple is the three-faced Shivalinga which embodies Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu, and Lord Brahma. The Linga is decked with numerous precious stones like diamonds and emeralds. It is definitely worth visiting for the festival of Maha Shivratri.

As per Hindu mythology, sage Gautam once unintentionally caused a cow to die in his hermitage. For the atonement for his sin, he worshipped Lord Shiva and asked him to send the River Ganga to purify him. The tRiver Ganga flowed down as the River Godavari. Seeing this, all Gods sang in praise of Lord Shiva and requested him to reside here in the form of Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga.

Trimbakeshwar Temple Timings: The temple remains open from 7 am to 8 pm. Depending on the crowd, it can take you 2-2.5 hours for the main darshan. If you want to go ahead with a VIP Darshan Pass, it will cost you around Rs. 200 and is available at the main gate of the temple.

How to Reach Trimbakeshwar Temple - The nearest airport to Nashik is in Mumbai, which is 178 km away. One can reach Nashik from Mumbai by road, easily.

11.    Kedarnath Temple, Uttarakhand

Unarguably one of the most famous Jyotirlinga in India, Kedarnath is situated in the Garhwal Himalayas of Uttarakhand. It also enjoys a scenic setting and is the highest of all the 12 Jyotirling in India. Kedarnath is also part of the Chota Chardham along with the popular religious places like Badrinath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri.

Kedarnath temple remains open for pilgrimage only 6 months in a year (from April to November) and can only be reached on foot by trekking 18 km from another sacred place in Uttarakhand called Gauri Kund.

 According to the legends, the Pandavas performed a great penance here to absolve their sins after the battle of Mahabharata. Pleased with the Pandavas, Lord Shiva appeared in the form of a triangular shaft of light, also known as Jyotirlinga.

Kedarnath Temple Timings: The temple opens at 7 am and closes during lunch time. The evening aarti commences around 6 pm.

How to Reach Kedarnath - You can reach Dehradun by air. From here, you can travel by road to Gauri Kund, the base point of the Kedarnath trek. Helicopter services are also available from various locations in Uttarakhand.

 12.    Grishneshwar Temple, Maharashtra

Located in Verul village, near Aurangabad in Maharashtra, the Grishneshwar Temple dates back to the 18th century and is the smallest Jyotirlinga in India. This Shiva temple is known for its architecture, paintings, and sculptures. One of the major highlights of Grishneshwar Temple is the five-tier spire.

According to the Shiv Purana, there was a woman named Ghushma whose son was killed by her own sister. The grief-stricken mother then started to pray to Lord Shiva. Pleased with the devotion of Ghushma, Shiva blessed her with a son. On request of Ghushma, Shiva resided here eternally in the form of Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga.

The importance of Maha Shivratri at this temple can be seen during the Abhishekam (ritual pouring of water or milk on the Shiva Lingam), and the other special puja ceremonies.

Grineshwar Temple Timings: You can offer prayers any time during the day from 5:30 am to 9:30 pm. The afternoon puja timings are 1 pm to 1:30 pm. In the evening, the puja happens from 4 pm to 5:30 pm.

How to Reach Grishneshwar Temple - The nearest railway station to Velur is in Aurangabad, which is 29 km away. This short distance between Aurangabad and Velur can be covered by road.

Visiting the 12 Jyotirlingas in India is a unique and spiritual experience that every Hindu pilgrim must undertake. Each of these holy shrines has a distinct history, mythological significance, and architectural beauty. From the famous Somnath Temple in Gujarat to the remote Trimbakeshwar Temple in Maharashtra, every Jyotirlinga offers a glimpse into India's rich cultural and religious heritage. 

With proper planning and preparation, a pilgrimage for the festival of Maha Shivratri to these holy sites in 2024 can be a life-changing experience for anyone seeking spiritual awakening and inner peace.

Maha Shivratri 2024 Details

The festival of Maha Shivratri will be celebrated on March 8, 2024. According to the Panchang, the Chaturdashi Tithi of the waning phase in the month of Falgun will start at 09:57 PM on March 8 and end at 06:17 PM on March 9. The timing of sunrise is not critical for Shivratri puja as it is performed at night.

Nishita Kaal Muhurat (Optimal time for worship): Midnight: 12:07 AM to 12:55 AM (March 9, 2024)

Vrat Parana Time (Time to break the fast): Morning: 06:37 AM to Afternoon: 03:28 PM (March 9, 2024)

Maha Shivratri 2024 Four Prahar Puja Timings:

• First Prahar Puja - Evening: 06:25 PM to Night: 09:28 PM
• Second Prahar Puja - Night: 09:28 PM to Early Morning: 12:31 AM (March 9)
• Third Prahar Puja - Early Morning: 12:31 AM to 03:34 AM
• Fourth Prahar Puja - Early Morning: 03:34 AM to 06:37 AM