Amongst the most revered spiritual journeys in India, one cannot miss the 12 Jyotirlingas, the twelve sacred manifestations of Lord Shiva, believed to be self-born and supremely powerful. These shrines are not only spiritual landmarks but also cultural and geographical anchors, spread across the length and breadth of the country. For devotees and explorers alike, the journey to the 12 jyotirlinga is as transformative as the destination itself. From snow-clad Himalayan temples to coastal shrines and dense forests, this sacred circuit offers a unique way to experience India’s diversity through faith, travel, and tradition.
In this guide, we bring you a detailed, travel-friendly breakdown of the 12 jyotirlinga, including history, legends, locations, and why each destination deserves a place on your journey. Whether you are planning a pilgrimage or simply mapping your spiritual bucket list on Explurger, this guide covers everything you need to know.
What Are Jyotirlingas?
The word Jyothirlinga comes from “Jyoti” meaning light and “Linga,” the symbolic form of Lord Shiva. According to ancient scriptures, Lord Shiva manifested himself as an endless pillar of light to end a cosmic dispute, and from this divine event emerged the sacred jyothirlinga tradition.
There are 12 jyotirlinga temples, each representing a unique spiritual energy. Collectively, they are referred to as the jyothirlingas, and visiting all of them is considered one of the most auspicious spiritual journeys in Hindu belief.
This table acts as both a quick reference and a foundation for building your personal Jyotirlinga list, here are the 12 Jyotirlinga names with place
| No. | Name | City | State | Direction Faced by Jyotirlingas | Opening Time | Closing Time |
| 1. | Somnath | Prabhas Patan | Gujarat | East | 6:00 AM | 9:00 PM |
| 2. | Mallikarjuna | Srisailam | Andhra Pradesh | East | 4:30 AM | 10:00 PM |
| 3. | Mahakaleshwar | Ujjain | Madhya Pradesh | South (Dakshinamukhi) | 4:00 AM | 11:00 PM |
| 4. | Omkareshwar | Mandhata Island | Madhya Pradesh | East | 5:00 AM | 9:30 PM |
| 5. | Kedarnath | Kedarnath | Uttarakhand | West | 4:00 AM (May–Nov) | 9:00 PM (May–Nov) |
| 6. | Bhimashankar | Pune (Khed) | Maharashtra | East | 5:00 AM | 9:30 PM |
| 7. | Kashi Vishwanath | Varanasi | Uttar Pradesh | East | 3:00 AM | 11:00 PM |
| 8. | Trimbakeshwar | Trimbak | Maharashtra | East | 5:30 AM | 9:00 PM |
| 9. | Vaidyanath | Deoghar | Jharkhand | East | 4:00 AM | 9:00 PM |
| 10. | Nageshwar | Dwarka | Gujarat | West | 6:00 AM | 9:00 PM |
| 11. | Rameshwaram | Rameshwaram | Tamil Nadu | East | 5:00 AM | 9:00 PM |
| 12. | Grishneshwar | Ellora | Maharashtra | East | 5:30 AM | 9:30 PM |
List of 12 Jyotirlingas: Temple-by-Temple Complete Guide
1. Somnath Jyotirlinga, Gujarat
the first among the 12 jyotirlinga places. The temple has been rebuilt several times after destruction, making it a powerful emblem of faith triumphing over adversity. Somnath’s seaside location adds a meditative calm, making it ideal for spiritual travellers who enjoy reflective landscapes. Don’t miss out on the light and sound show.
How to reach:
Nearest airport: Diu (85 km)
Railhead: Veraval
Well-connected by road from Ahmedabad and Rajkot
Best time to visit: October to March
Avoid peak summer due to coastal heat
2. Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga, Andhra Pradesh
Nestled in the Nallamala hills, this temple combines Shiva and Shakti worship. It is a major stop in the southern 12 jyotirlinga list. It also has a shaktipetha.
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How to reach:
Nearest airport: Hyderabad (215 km)
Railhead: Markapur Road
Ghat roads connect Srisailam town
Best time to visit: October to February
Maha Shivratri sees heavy footfall
3. Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga, Madhya Pradesh
Known for its unique Bhasma Aarti, Mahakaleshwar is one of the most visited shrines in the 12 jyotirlinga circuit. Don’t miss out on the Bhasma arti performed in the morning. Ujjain itself is an ancient city, making this destination a blend of mythology, history, and vibrant street culture.
How to reach:
Nearest airport: Indore
Railhead: Ujjain Junction
Frequent buses from Indore and Bhopal
Best time to visit: October to March
Early morning visits commended
4. Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga, Madhya Pradesh
Situated on an island shaped like ‘Om’ in the Narmada River, this temple holds strong spiritual symbolism within the 12 jyotirlinga journey. Some people compare the journey equivalent to visiting the Panch Kedar. Pilgrims often combine the pilgrimage with spiritual retreats.
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The state combines culture, geology, architecture, craft, food, and river landscapes in a way that’s both unique and diverse. Whether it’s the carvings of Khajuraho, the prehistoric art of Bhimbetka, or the ghats of Maheshwar, each region adds its own layer to the state’s identity.
How to reach:
Nearest airport: Indore
Railhead: Omkareshwar Road
Ferry access to Mandhata Island
Best time to visit: October to February
Monsoon enhances river views
5. Kedarnath Jyotirlinga, Uttarakhand
Located at a high altitude, Kedarnath is among the most challenging yet revered of the 12 jyotirlinga pilgrimage. Situated at an altitude of 3,583 meters in Uttarakhand, Kedarnath is one of the holiest shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva. It’s also the most revered temple among the Panch Kedarnath and forms a key stop in the Char Dham Yatra. The spiritual energy of the temple, surrounded by snow-capped peaks and glacial rivers, makes the Kedarnath Yatra not just a journey, but a divine experience as you do your Kedarnath darshan.
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How to reach:
Nearest airport: Dehradun
Railhead: Rishikesh
Trek from Gaurikund
Best time to visit:
May to June
September to October
6. Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga, Maharashtra
Set in dense forests of the Sahyadris, Bhimashankar also forms part of Maharashtra’s jyotirlinga traditions. This destination is especially popular with nature-loving pilgrims and trekkers who wanna visit the twelve Jyotirlinga temples but also have a little retreat!
How to reach:
Nearest airport: Pune
Road access via Manchar
Limited public transport
Best time to visit:
October to February
Monsoon for nature lovers
7. Kashi Vishwanath Jyotirlinga, Uttar Pradesh
Located in the sacred city of Varanasi, this temple represents liberation and is central to the 12 jyotirlinga belief system. It is believed that liberation (moksha) can be attained simply by visiting this temple. The ghats of Varanasi, evening aartis, and narrow lanes make this a deeply immersive cultural journey.
How to reach:
Nearest airport: Varanasi
Railhead: Varanasi Junction
Easy access via city transport
Best time to visit: October to March
Avoid peak Ganga Aarti hours
8. Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga, Maharashtra
This temple marks the origin of the Godavari River and is a key stop in the 12 jyotirlinga trail. It represents the mingle of Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh. Legends say Shiva blessed Gautam and his wife Ahalya with immortality here.
How to reach:
Nearest airport: Nashik
Road connectivity from Mumbai and Pune
Local buses available
Best time to visit:
October to February
Shravan month is auspicious
9. Vaidyanath Jyotirlinga, Jharkhand
Also known as Baidyanath Dham, it is among the most sacred destinations in the eastern 12 jyotirlinga route. It is said that Shiva blessed Ravana hereafter he was offered the ten heads.
How to reach:
Nearest airport: Deoghar
Railhead: Jasidih
Frequent local transport
Best time to visit:
October to March
Shravan month is extremely crowded
10. Nageshwar Jyotirlinga, Gujarat
The Nageshwar Temple Jyotirlinga is located near Dwarka and signifies protection from poison and fear. Its proximity to the coast makes it easy to combine with other religious destinations in Gujarat.
How to reach:
Nearest airport: Jamnagar
Railhead: Dwarka
Well-connected by road
Best time to visit:
October to February
Combine with Dwarka sightseeing
11. Rameshwaram Jyotirlinga, Tamil Nadu
Associated with the Ramayana, this shrine bridges mythology and geography within the 12 jyotirlinga map of India. The 12th jyotirlinga name and place is Rameshwaram, which itself is a sacred town in TN. People combine this with the char-dham pilgrimage. Connecting India with Sri Lanka, tying history, mythology, and scriptures together, is a Tamil Nadu tourist place district called Rameswaram that deserves to be on your Bucket List of exploration. This might be touristy but it is worth the hype due to the rich cultural history that lies in each grain of sand. Apart from all the religious places, several beaches in Rameswaram make it one of the best places to visit in Tamil Nadu.
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How to reach:
Nearest airport: Madurai
Railhead: Rameswaram
Pamban Bridge access
Best time to visit:
October to April
Avoid peak summer humidity
12. Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga, Maharashtra
Located near Ellora Caves, this is the final stop in the 12 Jyotirlinga sequence. Legend says Shiva blessed Kusuma with divine vision here.
How to reach:
Nearest airport: Aurangabad
Railhead: Aurangabad
Short drive from Ellora, the UNESCO-listed site
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Best time to visit:
October to March
Ideal for heritage travellers
The 12 Jyotirlinga Map
The sacred Shiva temples are spread across diverse regions of India, from the Himalayas and riverbanks to coastal towns, forests, and ancient cities. This wide distribution reflects a spiritual network that spans the country rather than a single pilgrimage zone. Northern, central, western, and southern India each host key shrines, allowing devotees to experience varied landscapes, cultures, and travel conditions along the way. Most pilgrims plan the journey in regional clusters over multiple trips, making it both spiritually meaningful and logistically manageable. The list of all jyotirlingas in this blog and the nearby places should help you navigate them better.
Explurger enables travellers to log each temple visit, mark progress across the 12 Jyotirlinga, and visually track routes similar to a live pilgrimage map. By using Explurge-ins, bucket lists, and travelogues, users can document their journey across the twelve jyotirlinga temples while connecting with fellow pilgrims nationwide.
Concluding the 12 Jyotirlinga Guide
Visiting the twelve sacred Shiva shrines, the 12 jyotirlingas, is both a spiritual pursuit and a journey across India’s diverse landscapes. Each temple offers a distinct experience shaped by its history, location, and local culture. Whether undertaken in parts or as a complete circuit, this pilgrimage allows travellers to connect faith with exploration, making it a meaningful and memorable journey across the country.
FAQs About 12 Jyotirlinga
2. What is the order of 12 jyotirlinga?
There is no fixed travel or ritual order. Most references list them based on traditional scriptures, while pilgrims usually follow region-wise or route-based sequences.
3. Which Baidyanath jyotirlinga is original?
The Baidyanath Jyotirlinga located in Deoghar, Jharkhand, is widely accepted as the original and is traditionally included among the twelve sacred shrines.
4. What is the 13th jyotirlinga?
There is no officially recognised 13th shrine. Some temples are locally revered, but classical texts mention only twelve.
5. What is the oldest jyotirlinga?
Somnath is traditionally regarded as the oldest, with references dating back to ancient texts and early historical records.
6. Which is the hardest jyotirlinga in India?
Kedarnath is considered the most challenging due to its high-altitude location, seasonal access, and the trek required to reach it.
7. What are the 5 main jyotirlinga?
All twelve are equally sacred. However, Somnath, Kashi Vishwanath, Mahakaleshwar, Kedarnath, and Rameshwaram are often considered the most prominent due to their historical and spiritual significance.
