Holiest Pilgrimage To Hindus - Jyotirlinga Shrines - Zenith of Shaivism
Jyotirlingas are considered as one of primary symbol to Shaivism and it depicts Lord Shiva in the form of destroyer as well as transformer reproducer).These are the most revered pilgrimage to Hindus and each Jyotirlinga temple have its own tradition and legend attached to it.
To Visit holy places of 12 Jyotirlingas considered as one of the most
esteemed pilgrimage to Hindus. Lord Shiva has worshipped in these shrines in the form of Jyotirlingam means "Pillar of Light". Originally there are 64 Jyotirlingas but only 12 of them are considered as auspicious. Devotee who have visited all the Jyotirlingas considered as free from the consequences of sins done in the past and also considered to be free from cycle of rebirth.
All the 12 Jyotirlingas are spread across the different states in India and each considered as different demonstration of Lord Shiva. They are as follows:Somnath
It is situated in the Prabhas Kshetra near Veraval in Saurashtra.It is regarded as one of the most significant Jyotirling among all. Somnath means "The Protector of Moon God", it is believed that to get rid of from the curse of Daksha, Chandra Dev worshipped Lord Shiva in this place and Lord blessed him by eliminating Daksha's (Chandra Dev's Father-in-law) curses to him. As per Puraans Somnath temple has been built by different people in every Yug. In Sat Yug, Somdev built a golden temple, in Treta Yug Ravan made it by silver, in Dwapar Yug Lord Krishna used Sanalwood and in Kali Yug Bhimdev used stone to made Somnath temple. It considered as "The Shrine Eternal" and have been demolished 16 times. Worshipping here considered to abort Grih-dosh, Bhoot-dosh and all illness of the devotee.
Nearest Railway Station - Veraval (6 Kms)
Nearest Airport - Koshed (55 Kms)Mallikarjuna
It is located at Srisailam in Andhra Pradesh. It is one of the place where Shakti peeth and Jyotirlinga are together. It is believed that Goddess Parvati worshipped Lord Shiva in the form of a bee here. Lord Mallikarjuna is one of the avatar (manifestation) of Lord Shiva and Bhramarambika is a avatar of Goddess Parvati.It is believed that the Jyotirlinga here is established by Lord Rama. Worship carry out here fulfil all the desires of an individual.
Nearest Railway Station - Nandyal (158 Kms)
Nearest Airport - Hyderabad (237 Kms)Mahakaleshwar
On the side of the Rudra Sagar lake, Mahakaleswar Jyotirling is situated, in the ancient city of Ujjain,Madhya Pradesh. The importance of this Jyotirlinga is that the Shiva in the lingam form is regarded to be in Swayambhu Avatar (born of itself). The idol in this shrine is southfacing and known as Dakshinamoorthy. Shrine is famous for its Bhasam Arti. It is believed that people who worshipped Lord Shiva in this form would be free from the fear of death and diseases.
Nearest Railway Station - Ujjain (2 Kms)
Nearest Airport - Indore (55 Kms)Omkareshwar
It is situated on an island called Mandhata or Shivapuri in the Narmada river in the Khandwa district of Madhya Pradesh. The shape of the island is like OM (Hindu symbol), hence the place named as Omkareshwar. As per mythology, Vindhya Mountain worshipped Lord Shiv in the form of an Om, it pleased Lord and he appeared here in form of Jyotirlinga. Goddess Parvati performed hard austerity here to be one with Shiv (Ardhnarishwar). It is said that one can offer prayer here to get rescued from the charka of life and death.
Nearest Railway Station - Omkareshwar Road (12 Kms)
Nearest Airport - Indore (77 Kms)Kedarnath
At the top of Garhwal Himalayan range near the Mandakini river Kedarnath Jyotirling is situated in Kedarnath, Uttarakhand. It is the northernmost Jyotirlinga and accessible only from May to October due to weather condition. According to Hindu epic, Pandavas were seeking blessing of Lord Shiva to get purged from the sin of killing there kith and kin in Kurukshetra. Lord Shiva was not willing to give darshan to Pandavas and escape in the form of a bull in Kedarnath to hide from Pandavas. In a fight between Bheem and bull, face of the bull went straight to Nepal and his posterior part left in Kedar. From this a great light, Lord shiv, appeared and give darshan to Pandavas. Lord pardonned Pandavas for their sin and from that time he remain here as a triangular shaped JyotirLinga. By taking a Darshan, devotees attain reverence to God.
Nearest Railway Station - Rishikesh (295 Kms)
Nearest Airport - Dehradun (314 Kms)Bhimashankar
It is located 50 km northwest of Khed, near Pune. According to Puraans, Lord Shankara got angry and slayed Devil (Rakshas) Tripurasura here. Due to war heat generated, caused the river Bhima to evaporate, hence named as Bhimashankar. One can get rid off all types of sin by worshipping here and taking a holy dip.
Nearest Railway Station - Pune (109 Kms)
Nearest Airport - Pune (95 Kms)Kashi Vishwanath
On the western bank of the holy river Ganga, Kashi Vishwanath temple is situated. It is expected that every hindu should come here and do worship to GOD atleast one time in a life. Like Somnath, this temple also got demolished many times and re-built by devotees of Lord Shiva. It is believed that Mother of Goddess Parvati get annoyed as Lord Shiva was not having a home, so to please Goddess and her mother Lord asked Nikumbha to construct the temple at Kashi, which is now known as Kashi Vishwanath. Devotee who worship here and take a dip in holy river Ganga, will attain Moksha.
Nearest Railway Station - Varanasi (3 Kms)
Nearest Airport - Varanasi (26 Kms)Trimbakeshwar
It is located at the source of Godavari river in the town
of Trimbak, Nashik District of Maharashtra. At Trimbakeshwar, Jyotirlinga is having three faces which symbolizes Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh (Shiva), all other 11 Jyotirlingas are having only Shiva ling. The story associated with it is, all the God, Goddess and Rishis gathered at the time of Shiv-Parvati marriage. Brahmadev got attracted towards the pulchritudinous Goddess Parvati. On observing this, Lord Shiva offered him purest water of Ganga and asked him to launder himself by the purest water. This part of Ganga Called Budi Ganga or Godavari. Narayan Nagbali puja performed for cure an illness, going through bad times, childless couples, financial crisis and is only performed in Trimbakeshwar. One can achieve prosperity and peace in life by doing worship here.
Nearest Railway Station - Nasik (44 Kms)
Nearest Airport - Mumbai (200 Kms)Vaidyanath
It is located in Deoghar in the Santhal Parganas of Jharkhand.
As per Hindu beliefs, Ravana sacrifice his ten heads to Lord Shiva to please him. Lord Shiva got pleased with Ravana sacrifice. Ravana got injured during this, Lord Shiva cured Ravana and referred as "Vaidya", hence the Jyotirlinga here is called Vaidyanath. By praying here one can
get relieved of their prolonged diseases.
Nearest Railway Station - Jasidih (7 Kms)
Nearest Airport - Patna (229 Kms)Nageshvara
It exist on the route between Gomati Dwarka and the Bait
Dwarka Island on the coast of Saurashtra in Gujarat. As per Hindu mythology
Lord Shiva appeared here to save his devotee Supriya from Devil Darukasura,
he killed Daruka and his wife and blessed his devotee Supriya. This Jyotirlinga represent protection from all poison. Devotee who worship here become free from all poison.
Nearest Railway Station - Dwarka (6 Kms)
Nearest Airport - Jamnagar (137 Kms)Rameshwar
It is situated in the island of Rameshwaram, Tamilnadu. This is the southernmost Jyotirling among 12 and acclaimed as Banaras of South. According to popular belief, Lord Ram prayed to Lord Shiva in the form of a Lingam made of earth clay by Goddess Sita. Lord Ram asked to forgive him for killing Ravana and thanked Lord Shiva for his triumph over Lanka. It is said , whosoever visit this Jyotirlinga, always get blessing from Lord Shiva and after death resides in Shivloka.
Nearest Railway Station - Rameshwaram (2 Kms)
Nearest Airport - Madurai (163 Kms)Grishneshwar
It is located 11 kms from Daulatabad, near Aurangabad in Maharashtra and very near to Ellora Caves. As per belief, Kusuma a disciple of Lord Shiva worship him regularly and immerse Shivlinga in water as a daily ritual. Her Husband's first wife who was also her sister, envious of her as she was childless, killed Kusuma's son. An agonized Kusuma stick to her worship, and when she immersed Shivalinga in water again, her son distinctively revived by Lord Shiva who was very pleased by lady's devotion. One popular belief is that, worshipping this Jyotirling is tantamount to worshipping all the 12 Jyotirlings. As per Shiv Puran, worshipping here will increase happiness in the life of worshiper and rids all the sins of life.
Nearest Railway Station - Aurangabad (27 Kms)
Nearest Airport - Aurangabad (29 Kms)
All the shrines are incredibly beautiful. One can find spiritual joy and self contentment during the holy visit to these Shrines.
A guiding article on the matter of pilgrimage to the 12 Jyotirlingas. This holy pilgrimage is considered a 'Saayoojya"(fulfilment) by devout Hindus especially the shaivaite faith devotees.
This scribe is at least happy that he could visit 3 of the 12 at least.
There are some conducted pilgrimage tours available these days. The Kedarnath pilgrimage was suspended for sometime due to the heavy floods which battered the place. War footing work has put back the area on the tourist route now though the earlier capacity has yet to be restored.
Except for the Kedarnath shrine all others are easily approachable and one can complete the pilgrimage to them in a few days at a stretch. Maharashtra is having three of them and the nearby Madhya Pradesh two. This makes visiting them easier by connecting.