12 Jyotirlinga Name and Location State-Wise Master List & Shiva Purana Legends
In Hindu spiritual tradition, a Jyotirlinga (ज्योतिर्लिंग) is a devotional representation of Supreme Lord Shiva manifesting as an infinite pillar of cosmic radiant light. Mentioned in the Shiva Purana (Kotirudra Samhita), there are 12 sacred Jyotirlingas located across India. Visiting or meditating upon these 12 shrines liberates devotees from the cycle of birth and death (Samsara). Below is the complete state-wise master catalog detailing all 12 Jyotirlingas, their location coordinates, and Shiva Purana origin legends.
✨ What is a Jyotirlinga? (ज्योतिर्लिंग का अर्थ)
The word Jyoti means radiant light, and Linga means sign or symbol. According to the Shiva Purana, when Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu engaged in a debate over cosmic supremacy, Lord Shiva pierced the three worlds as a fiery, endless pillar of light (Mahagrathana Jyotistambha). Lord Vishnu traveled downward as a boar and Brahma traveled upward as a swan, but neither could find its end. Realizing Shiva's supreme nature, both bowed in devotion. The 12 places where this cosmic light manifested on earth are consecrated as the 12 Jyotirlingas.
Master State-Wise Table of 12 Jyotirlingas
| Jyotirlinga Name | State (राज्य) | City / District Location | Key Puranic Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Somnath | Gujarat | Veraval, Prabhas Patan (Gir Somnath) | First among 12 Jyotirlingas; Chandra Dev cured of tuberculosis curse |
| 2. Mallikarjuna | Andhra Pradesh | Srisailam, Kurnool District | Situated on Srisailam mountain; combined worship of Shiva & Parvati |
| 3. Mahakaleshwar | Madhya Pradesh | Ujjain (Shipra River bank) | Sole South-facing (Dakshinamurti) Lingam; famous 4 AM Bhasma Aarti |
| 4. Omkareshwar | Madhya Pradesh | Khandwa (Mandhata Island, Narmada) | Island naturally shaped like sacred 'OM' symbol |
| 5. Kedarnath | Uttarakhand | Rudraprayag (Garhwal Himalayas) | Highest Jyotirlinga (3,583m); Pandava bull hump manifestation |
| 6. Bhimashankar | Maharashtra | Khed Taluka, Pune District | Origin of Bhima River; Lord Shiva destroyed demon Bhima |
| 7. Kashi Vishwanath | Uttar Pradesh | Varanasi (Ganges River bank) | Spiritual capital of universe resting on Shiva's Trident |
| 8. Trimbakeshwar | Maharashtra | Trimbak, Nashik District | Origin of Godavari River; Lingam has three faces (Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva) |
| 9. Baidyanath | Jharkhand | Deoghar (Santhal Parganas) | Where demon king Ravana offered his 10 heads to Lord Shiva |
| 10. Nageshwar | Gujarat | Dwarka (Darukavanam) | Protects against venomous poison & fear; Lord of Serpents |
| 11. Ramanathaswamy | Tamil Nadu | Rameswaram Island | Consecrated by Shri Rama before building Ram Setu to Lanka |
| 12. Grishneshwar | Maharashtra | Verul (Ellora Caves, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar) | 12th Jyotirlinga built by Ahilyabai Holkar near Ellora Caves |
Explore All 12 Jyotirlingas Offline on Your Phone
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