The 12 Jyotirlingas are the most supreme and sacred abodes of Lord Shiva in the Hindu tradition. According to the Shiva Purana, these are the exact locations where Lord Shiva pierced the earth, appearing as an infinite, fiery column of light (Jyoti).
Unlike standard Shiva Lingams established by humans, a Jyotirlinga is considered Swayambhu (self-manifested). Undertaking the massive pilgrimage to visit all twelve shrines across the length and breadth of India is considered one of the highest spiritual achievements for a devotee, granting ultimate liberation (Moksha) from the cycle of rebirth.
The 12 Jyotirlingas Directory
Click on any shrine name below to access the complete guide, including Sthala Puranas, precise pooja timings, and local travel logistics.
| Shrine Name | Location | Cosmic Significance | Nearest City / Airport |
|---|---|---|---|
| Somnath | Veraval, Gujarat | The First of the 12 Jyotirlingas | Rajkot / Diu |
| Mallikarjuna | Srisailam, Andhra Pradesh | The Kailash of the South | Hyderabad |
| Mahakaleshwar | Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh (a Saptapuri city) | The Fierce South-Facing Lord | Indore |
| Omkareshwar | Khandwa, Madhya Pradesh | The Lord of the OM Island | Indore |
| Kedarnath | Rudraprayag, Uttarakhand | The Himalayan Abode | Dehradun (Jolly Grant) |
| Bhimashankar | Pune, Maharashtra | The Source of the Bhima River | Pune |
| Kashi Vishwanath | Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh (a Saptapuri city) | The Lord of the Universe | Varanasi |
| Trimbakeshwar | Nashik, Maharashtra | The Three-Faced Lingam | Nashik / Mumbai |
| Baidyanath | Deoghar, Jharkhand | The Supreme Healer | Deoghar / Ranchi |
| Nageshwar | Dwarka, Gujarat (a Saptapuri city) | The Protector against Poisons | Jamnagar / Rajkot |
| Ramanathaswamy | Rameshwaram, Tamil Nadu | Worshipped by Lord Rama | Madurai |
| Grishneshwar | Aurangabad, Maharashtra | The Lord of Compassion | Aurangabad |
Traveler’s Insight: Maharashtra holds the highest concentration of Jyotirlingas (3 out of 12), making it the easiest state to start your journey. For the Northern shrines like Kedarnath, keep in mind that the temple is only accessible from April to November due to weather conditions.
Regional Jyotirlinga Itineraries (How to Plan Your Yatra)
Because these temples are spread across thousands of kilometers, attempting them all at once takes weeks. Most pilgrims break the Yatra down into highly efficient regional circuits.
1. The Maharashtra Circuit (3 Jyotirlingas)
Maharashtra holds the highest concentration of Jyotirlingas. You can comfortably cover all three in a 3 to 4-day road trip.
- The Route: Fly into Pune or Mumbai. Visit Bhimashankar first, drive to Trimbakeshwar (near Nashik), and finish at Grishneshwar (near Aurangabad).
- Secure your transit hubs: Check flight and hotel availability for Pune or Nashik on MakeMyTrip here.
2. The Madhya Pradesh Circuit (2 Jyotirlingas)
This is the most popular weekend Jyotirlinga circuit due to the close proximity of the two temples.
- The Route: Fly into Indore. Drive to Ujjain for the powerful Bhasma Aarti at Mahakaleshwar, then drive 4 hours south to the island of Omkareshwar.
- Book your basecamp: Check current hotel availability in Indore or Ujjain on MakeMyTrip here.
3. The Gujarat Circuit (2 Jyotirlingas)
Combine coastal spirituality with ancient history on this western route.
- The Route: Fly into Rajkot or Ahmedabad. Visit the majestic seaside temple of Somnath, then travel to Dwarka to visit the Nageshwar Jyotirlinga (often combined with the Dwarkadhish temple).
- Plan your coastal route: Check hotel availability near Somnath and Dwarka on MakeMyTrip here.
Did you know that three of these supreme Jyotirlingas are located within the seven holiest cities in India? Expand your pilgrimage by exploring our complete guide to the Saptapuri (The Seven Holy Cities).
Frequently Asked Questions
According to the ancient Sanskrit shlokas (Dwadasa Jyotirlinga Stotram), Somnath in Gujarat is traditionally listed and revered as the first of the 12 Jyotirlingas.
No. Due to extreme Himalayan snowfall, Kedarnath is only open to pilgrims for roughly six months a year, typically from Akshay Tritiya (April/May) to Bhai Dooj (October/November).