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Mythological significance of the 12 Jyotirlingas

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Mythological significance of the 12 Jyotirlingas

The 12 Jyotirlingas hold immense mythological significance in Hinduism. The word “Jyotirlinga” is derived from the Sanskrit words “Jyoti” meaning “light” and “linga” meaning “mark” or “symbol”. According to Hindu mythology, Lord Shiva is believed to have manifested himself as a Jyotirlinga in 12 different places across India. The Jyotirlingas are thus considered to be divine symbols of Lord Shiva’s infinite and powerful light.

These 12 Jyotirlingas are considered to be the most sacred shrines of Lord Shiva and are visited by millions of devotees from around the world every year. The significance of the 12 Jyotirlingas can be traced back to the Shiva Purana.

The story goes that Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu were engaged in a heated argument about who was more powerful. To settle the dispute, Lord Shiva appeared before them in the form of a massive pillar of light. Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu were both amazed by the sight and decided to find the top and bottom of the pillar, but they could not.

Lord Shiva then appeared before them and revealed that the pillar of light was his infinite form and that he had manifested himself as a Jyotirlinga in 12 different places. The 12 Jyotirlingas are considered to be the most sacred places of worship for devotees of Lord Shiva.

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Each of the 12 Jyotirlingas has its own unique mythology and significance, and devotees believe that visiting these shrines can bestow them with divine blessings and fulfil their wishes. The Jyotirlingas are also believed to represent the 12 different zodiac signs, symbolizing the all-pervading presence of Lord Shiva in the universe.

The 12 Jyotirlingas include the following:

Somnath Jyotirlinga – Saurashtra, Gujarat

Somnath Jyotirlinga is located in the Prabhas Kshetra near Veraval in the Saurashtra region, Gujarat, India. It is believed to be the first among the 12 Jyotirlingas and is considered to be one of the most sacred places for Hindus. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is situated on the shore of the Arabian Sea. The temple has been destroyed and rebuilt several times throughout history, with the current structure being built in 1951. The temple is known for its magnificent architecture and spiritual significance and attracts thousands of pilgrims every year.

Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga – Andhra Pradesh

Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga is located in the town of Srisailam in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India. It is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple is situated on the banks of the Krishna River and is considered to be one of the most important Shaivite shrines in South India. The temple complex consists of several shrines and halls, with the main shrine housing the lingam of Mallikarjuna. The temple has a long and rich history, with many stories and legends associated with it. It is a popular destination for pilgrims and tourists alike and is known for its stunning architecture and spiritual significance.

Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga – Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh

Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga is located in the ancient city of Ujjain in the state of Madhya Pradesh, India. It is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple is situated on the banks of the Kshipra River and is considered one of the most sacred sites for Hindus. The lingam of Mahakaleshwar is believed to be one of the 12 swayambhu (self-manifested) lingams in India. The temple has a rich history, with references to it in ancient Hindu scriptures and inscriptions dating back to the 6th century. The temple is known for its beautiful architecture and unique rituals, such as the Bhasma Aarti, which involves the offering of ash to Lord Shiva. The temple attracts thousands of pilgrims every year and is considered to be a source of spiritual energy and divine blessings.

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Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga – Khandwa district, Madhya Pradesh

Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga is located on Mandhata Island in the Narmada River in the state of Madhya Pradesh, India. It is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple is situated in a picturesque location, surrounded by hills and lush green forests. The lingam of Omkareshwar is believed to have been self-manifested and is one of the most revered lingams in India. The temple complex consists of several shrines and halls, with the main shrine housing the lingam of Omkareshwar. The temple has a rich history, with references to it in ancient Hindu scriptures and inscriptions dating back to the 11th century. The temple is known for its stunning architecture and spiritual significance and attracts thousands of pilgrims every year.

Kedarnath Jyotirlinga – Uttarakhand

Kedarnath Jyotirlinga is located in the town of Kedarnath in the state of Uttarakhand, India. It is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple is situated in the Himalayan range, at an altitude of 3,583 meters above sea level, and is considered one of the most sacred sites for Hindus. The lingam of Kedarnath is believed to be one of the oldest and most revered lingams in India. The temple has a long and rich history, with references to it in ancient Hindu scriptures and inscriptions dating back to the 8th century. The temple is known for its stunning architecture and spiritual significance, and attracts thousands of pilgrims every year, especially during the annual Char Dham Yatra pilgrimage.

Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga – Pune district, Maharashtra

Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga is located in the village of Bhimashankar in the state of Maharashtra, India. It is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple is situated in the Sahyadri range of hills, surrounded by lush green forests and scenic beauty. The lingam of Bhimashankar is believed to have been self-manifested and is considered to be one of the most powerful lingams in India. The temple has a long and rich history, with references to it in ancient Hindu scriptures and inscriptions dating back to the 13th century. The temple is known for its stunning architecture and spiritual significance and attracts thousands of pilgrims every year. It is also a popular destination for nature lovers and trekkers, as the area is known for its scenic beauty and wildlife.

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Viswanath Jyotirlinga – Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh

Viswanath Jyotirlinga is another name for the Kashi Vishwanath Temple located in the city of Varanasi in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India. It is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple is situated on the banks of the holy river Ganges and is considered one of the most sacred sites for Hindus. The lingam of Viswanath is believed to be one of the most revered lingams in India. The temple has a long and rich history, with references to it in ancient Hindu scriptures and inscriptions dating back to the 11th century. The temple is known for its stunning architecture and spiritual significance and attracts thousands of pilgrims every year.

Triambakeshwar Jyotirlinga – Nashik district, Maharashtra

Triambakeshwar Jyotirlinga is located in the town of Trimbak in the Nashik district of Maharashtra, India. It is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple is situated in the foothills of the Brahmagiri mountain range and is considered to be one of the most sacred sites for Hindus. The lingam of Triambakeshwar is believed to be one of the most powerful lingams in India. The temple has a long and rich history, with references to it in ancient Hindu scriptures and inscriptions dating back to the 18th century. The temple is known for its stunning architecture and spiritual significance and attracts thousands of pilgrims every year. The surrounding area is also known for its natural beauty, with scenic waterfalls and lush green forests.

Vaidyanath Jyotirlinga – Deoghar district, Jharkhand

Vaidyanath Jyotirlinga is located in the town of Deoghar in the state of Jharkhand, India. It is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple is situated on the banks of the river Narmada and is considered to be one of the most sacred sites for Hindus. The lingam of Vaidyanath is believed to have healing powers and is considered one of India’s most revered lingams. The temple has a long and rich history, with references to it in ancient Hindu scriptures and inscriptions dating back to the 8th century. The temple is known for its stunning architecture and spiritual significance and attracts thousands of pilgrims every year. The town of Deoghar is also known for its natural beauty and scenic surroundings.

Nageshwar Jyotirlinga – Dwarka, Gujarat

Nageshwar Jyotirlinga is located near the city of Dwarka in the state of Gujarat, India. It is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple is situated on the coast of the Arabian Sea and is considered to be one of the most sacred sites for Hindus. The lingam of Nageshwar is believed to have been self-manifested and is considered one of India’s most revered lingams. The temple has a long and rich history, with references to it in ancient Hindu scriptures and inscriptions dating back to the 9th century. The temple is known for its stunning architecture and spiritual significance and attracts thousands of pilgrims every year. The surrounding area is also known for its scenic beauty, with beautiful beaches and lush green forests.

Rameshwaram Jyotirlinga – Ramanathapuram district, Tamil Nadu

Rameshwaram Jyotirlinga is located in the town of Rameshwaram on the southern coast of Tamil Nadu, India. It is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple is situated on the island of Rameshwaram and is considered one of the most sacred sites for Hindus. The lingam of Rameshwaram is believed to have been established by Lord Rama himself and is considered one of India’s most revered lingams. The temple has a long and rich history, with references to it in ancient Hindu scriptures and inscriptions dating back to the 12th century. The temple is known for its stunning architecture and spiritual significance and attracts thousands of pilgrims every year. The island of Rameshwaram is also known for its beautiful beaches and scenic beauty.

Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga – Aurangabad district, Maharashtra

Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga is located in the town of Verul, near the city of Aurangabad in the state of Maharashtra, India. It is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple is situated at the foothills of the Ajanta and Ellora Caves and is considered one of the most sacred sites for Hindus. The lingam of Grishneshwar is believed to have been established by Lord Shiva himself and is considered one of India’s most revered lingams. The temple has a long and rich history, with references to it in ancient Hindu scriptures and inscriptions dating back to the 18th century. The temple is known for its stunning architecture and spiritual significance and attracts thousands of pilgrims every year. The surrounding area is also known for its historical significance, with the nearby Ajanta and Ellora Caves being UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

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Taazakhabar News Bureau
Taazakhabar News Bureau
Taazakhabar News Bureau is a team of seasoned journalists led by Neeraj Mahajan. Trusted by millions readers worldwide.

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