The set of 12 Shiva Temples in India is collectively known as Jyotirlinga. These 12 temples are spread all over in India and are considered to be the most sacred places for devotees of Shiva. Visiting these 12 Shiva temples in one go is quite a laborious task so the devotees makes out plan in visiting each over a period of time with a continuous journey to two or three at once. The prime worship of Lord Shiva includes worshiping of Shivalinga which has a significance of Supreme flame representing the God’s real nature. In Shiva Purana, a famous Shloka describes the 12 Shiva Temples in India, i.e.
“Saurashtre Somanatham cha,
Sri Saile Mallikarjuna.
Ujjanyinyam Mahakalam,
Omkare Malamleshwara.
Himalaye to Kedaram,
Dakinyam Bhimashankara.
Varanasyam cha Vishweshwam,
Tryambakam Gautameethate.
Paralyam Vaidyanatham cha,
Nagesham Darukavane.
Sethu bande Ramesham,
Grishnesam cha Shivalaya”
Somnath Temple (Gujarat)
Somnath is considered to be the first pilgrimage considering the Dwadash Jyotirlinga pilgrimage. This is the only Shiva temple which is re-constructed around 16 times which is being the reason behind its name “The Shrine Eternal”. All over in India, this temple is being one of the most venerate one which is rich in its history, legend and own traditions. It is particularly located at the Prabhas Pathan region which is in Saurashtra. Currently, it is among the top 5 attractions for tourists in Gujarat because it is a scared place due to the legend behind its creation. Somanth basically means “The Protector of (the) Moon God”. This temple is built inKailash Mahameru Prasad style i.e. Chalukya style. Its architecture completely reflects the hard work as well as skills of the Sompura Salats who were known to be the master masons of Gujarat. The main spire of the temple is 15 meters high along with a flag pole of 8.2 meters. The place where Somnath is situated has no land in between till Antarctica and an inscription is being inscribed Baan-Stambh on the sea-protection wall. It particularly means that the temple stands on the point of Indian landmass which is significantly the first point towards the South Pole.
Mallikārjuna Swāmi Temple (Andhra Pradesh)
Mallikārjuna Swāmi temple is also known as Śrīśaila which is particularly located at Kurnool District in Srisailam. It is one of the most famous ancient temples which is rich not only in terms of its architecture but in its sculptures as well. It is one of those sacred places in India where people can find Jyotirlingam and Shakti Peetha together. This temple was built by the first South India builders of the empire. This temple is bounded with 20 feet high wall and is built in around 1520 AD. Each stone on the wall weighs about 1 ton and embellished with beautiful carvings which displays Hindu mythology images. The stones of this temple are inscribed with heroic legends from Ramayana and Mahabharata. The sound of buzzing in through the temple is simply amazing because it seems to be coming from the back walls of temple. The min festival which is celebrated in this temple is Maha Shivratri, when people from all over India visit the place for receiving blessings from Lord Shiva.
Mahakaleshwar Temple (Madhya Pradesh)
Mahakaleshwar Temple is located in Ujjain which is one of the ancient cities of India on the side of Rudra Sagar Lake. Lord Shiva presides as lingam and believed to be Swayambhu. It is one of the most sacred abode of Lord Shiva and the idol is bedded to be dakshinamurti which is particularly a unique feature of this temple. This temple has five levels where the third level with idol of Nagchandreshwar is only open on Nag Panchami. This temple is situated in spacious courtyard with massive walls decorated with sculpture attire. It is believed that the holy offerings which are offered to deity can also be re-offered. The complex of Mahakaleshwar Temple was destroyed during the reign of Iltutmish and the present structure was constructed by Srimant Raanojirao Shinde Maharaj, Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj and General of Srimant Peshwa Baji Rao in the year 1736 AD. According to Puranas, Lord Shiva resided in the ancient city of Ujjain for protecting his devotees from their enemies in the form of Mahakala and thus devotees worshipped him and in return received worldly treasures.
Omkareshwar Temple (Madhya Pradesh)
Omkareshwar temple is situated on the pilgrimage site of Madhya Pradesh as the site includes numerous Jain and Hindu temples. The temple derived its name “Om” from the Hindu scared symbol as well as the island where it is situated is in the same structure. It is situated particularly in Khandwa District of Madhya Pradesh and is formed by Narmade River. It is considered to be one of the holiest sites because of the presence of special Jyotirlingam. This temple is constructed by soft stones which are available locally as well along with detailed carvings and mesmerizing paintings.
Kedarnath Temple (Uttarakhand)
Kedarnath Temple is one of the sacred places and holiest temples in India which is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is particularly located on the Himalayan range near river Mandakini. This temple is only open in the end of April until November. People can reach this temple only by uphill trek. This temple was built by Pandavas as well as renovated by Adi Sankaracharya. It is even one of the major four sites of seeing in Northern Himalayas as Chota Char Dham. On the shores of Mandakini River, this temple is 3,583 meters high and is believed to be constructed in 8th century but at present it is located just adjacent to the place where Pandavas constructed.
Bhimashankar Temple (Maharashtra)
Bhimashankar Temple is particular located in a northwest district Khed which is near Pune. This temple is an amazing combo of new as well as old structures associated with Nagara style of architecture. The scriptures show the excellence of Vishwakarma sculptors because this temple is one of the modest as well as graceful Hindu temples in India. The place where this temple is situated is known to be pilgrim paradise surrounded by dense forests. The legend behind the construction of this temple is purely associated with Lord Shiva executing the demon Tripurasura and thus aboding himself in form of Bhima in this place.
Kashi Vishwanath Temple (Uttar Pradesh)
Kasha Vishwanath Temple is particularly located in Varanasi and stands on the banks of river Ganges. It is one of the most famous Hindu temples in India as well as the holiest one. Lord Shiva is known by the name of Vishweshwara or Vishwanatha which particularly means Ruler of the Universe. This temple was destroyed as well as renovated numerous times. Lastly, it was destructed by Aurangzeb and built by Ahilya Bai Holkar on the adjacent site. The lingam is 60 cm tall and in silver altar. This temple is in quadrangle-shaped and even surrounded by different shrines. The place is believed to live in for the attainment of Moksha.
Trimbakeshwar Shiva Temple (Maharashtra)
Trimbakeshwar Shiva temple is particularly located on the banks of Godavari River which is even considered to be scared. This temple was built by Balaji Baji Rao and is one of the religious centers in India where lord Shiva abodes. The lingam which is placed here has three faces of Lord Rudra, Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma. The lingas placed here are covered with crown jewels consisting emeralds, diamonds and other precious stones. It is an ancient shrine built in Nagara style with black stones and a spacious courtyard. The entire structure of this temple is adorned with beautiful sculptural work featuring floral designs, animals, Gods, humans and much more.
Baidyanath temple (Jharkhand)
Baidyanath Temple is particularly located in the divisions of Santhal Parganas, Deoghar and is constructed in a temple complex which consists of Baba Baidyanath where lingam is installed along with 21 temples. As per the legends, it is believed that at this particular site, the demon king Ravana worshipped Lord Shiva and sacrificed his heads to him. He acted as a doctor to injured Ravana and thus referred as Vaidhya. This temple is associated with remarkable history with ancient scriptures.
Nageshvara Jyotirlinga Temple (Gujarat)
Nageshvara Jyotirlinga Temple is believed to be the first lingam on Earth. The jyotirlinga is referred asNageshwar Mahadev which is really powerful as it symbolizes protection against all poisons. According to the legends behind the formation of this temple, devotee Supriya was attacked by demon Daruka and when Supriya recited “OM NAMAYA SHIVAYA”, but Daruk came forward to kill her and Lord Shiva appeared, thus there formed a Jyotirlinga. It is believed that people who devote themselves to jyotirlinga gets all material happiness throughout their lives.
Rameshwaram Temple (Tamil Nadu)
Rameshwaram Temple is particularly located on the Rameshwaram island in Tamil Nadu and is considered to be one of the Hindu temples where Lord Shiva abodes. In 12th century, this temple was expanded during the reign of Pandya dynasty but its shrines were renovated by Kings of Jaffna kingdom. This temple has the longest corridor among all the Hindu temples. It is believed that lingam was installed by Lord Rama and this temple covers about 15 acres land with granite pillars.
Grishneshwar Temple (Maharashtra)
Grishneshwar Temple is the last shrine jyotirlinga on Earth as per Shiva Purana. It is particularly located in the Verul village of Aurangabad, Maharashtra. It is really located close to Ellora Caves. This temple illustrates the traditions associated with pre-historic temples as well as structure and architectural style. The main source of attration of this temple remains its inscriptions, sculptures and carvings. It was restored by Ahilya Holkar and is built of red rocks.
These are the 12 Shiva Temples in India where the main festival celebrated is Maha Shivaratri. People from all over India visit these places to attain Lord Shiva blessings. The significance of the lingams installed in these temples has been described beautifully in shlokas in Manas. These are the sacred places where Lord Shiva aboded once in their lifetime and all these places is associated with Hindu legends. The places are being considered to be scared and these temples are located across India.
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