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12 Jyotirlingas: Names, Places & Full List

The 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva — the complete list with locations and states, from Somnath to Grishneshwar, and what makes each one special.

Sanskrit Kala15 July 20263 min read
Cultureसौराष्ट्रे सोमनाथं चश्रीशैले मल्लिकार्जुनम्Saurashtre Somanatham cha, Shrishaile Mallikarjunam❀ Sanskrit Kala
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Across India there are twelve places where Lord Shiva is believed to have manifested himself as an infinite pillar of light — these are the Dwadasha Jyotirlingas. They are not ordinary Shiva lingams; they are considered swayambhu (self-manifested).

What "Jyotirlinga" means

Jyoti means light, and linga means sign or symbol. According to the Puranas, when Brahma and Vishnu argued over who was supreme, Shiva appeared as an endless pillar of light whose beginning and end neither could find. The Jyotirlingas are the symbols of that light.

The 12 Jyotirlingas — complete list

#JyotirlingaPlaceState
1SomnathPrabhas Kshetra, near VeravalGujarat
2MallikarjunaSrisailamAndhra Pradesh
3MahakaleshwarUjjainMadhya Pradesh
4OmkareshwarMandhata island, Narmada riverMadhya Pradesh
5KedarnathRudraprayagUttarakhand
6Bhimashankarnear PuneMaharashtra
7Kashi VishwanathVaranasiUttar Pradesh
8TrimbakeshwarNashikMaharashtra
9VaidyanathDeogharJharkhand
10Nageshwarnear DwarkaGujarat
11Rameshwaram (Ramanathaswamy)RameswaramTamil Nadu
12Grishneshwarnear Ellora, AurangabadMaharashtra

At a glance

Maharashtra has the most — 3 (Bhimashankar, Trimbakeshwar, Grishneshwar). Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat have 2 each. The rest are one each in Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.

The Dwadasha Jyotirlinga Stotram

सौराष्ट्रे सोमनाथं च श्रीशैले मल्लिकार्जुनम्।
उज्जयिन्यां महाकालमोंकारममलेश्वरम्॥
परल्यां वैद्यनाथं च डाकिन्यां भीमशंकरम्।
सेतुबंधे तु रामेशं नागेशं दारुकावने॥
वाराणस्यां तु विश्वेशं त्र्यम्बकं गौतमीतटे।
हिमालये तु केदारं घुश्मेशं च शिवालये॥

Dwadasha Jyotirlinga Stotram

Meaning: This stotram names all twelve Jyotirlingas and their places in a single prayer. It is believed that one who recites it every morning and evening is freed from the sins of many lifetimes.

What makes some of them special

  • Mahakaleshwar (Ujjain): the only south-facing Jyotirlinga; its Bhasma Aarti is world-famous.
  • Kedarnath: the highest of them all; the temple closes through winter. It is also part of the Chota Char Dham in Uttarakhand.
  • Somnath: the first Jyotirlinga; destroyed and rebuilt many times through history — an enduring symbol of faith.
  • Rameshwaram: believed to be where Lord Rama himself installed a Shiva lingam before the march to Lanka.

Before you travel

High-altitude temples like Kedarnath open and close with the seasons. Always check darshan timings, the temple opening dates and travel permits from official sources before planning a trip.

Related reading

The twelve Jyotirlingas are not merely temples — they are the points where the distance between devotee and divine dissolves. Har Har Mahadev.

Frequently asked questions

What is a Jyotirlinga?

Jyotirlinga means the lingam of light — a place where Lord Shiva is believed to have manifested himself as an infinite pillar of light. These are considered swayambhu (self-manifested), which is what sets them apart from an ordinary Shiva lingam.

What are the 12 Jyotirlingas?

Somnath, Mallikarjuna, Mahakaleshwar, Omkareshwar, Kedarnath, Bhimashankar, Kashi Vishwanath, Trimbakeshwar, Vaidyanath, Nageshwar, Rameshwaram and Grishneshwar — twelve in all.

Which is the first Jyotirlinga?

Somnath in Gujarat is regarded as the first Jyotirlinga. The Dwadasha Jyotirlinga Stotram also begins with Somnath of Saurashtra.

Which state has the most Jyotirlingas?

Maharashtra has the most — three: Bhimashankar, Trimbakeshwar and Grishneshwar. Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat have two each.

Is Mount Kailash a Jyotirlinga?

No. Mount Kailash is considered the abode (dham) of Lord Shiva, but it is not counted among the 12 Jyotirlingas. Jyotirlingas are the places where Shiva manifested as a pillar of light.

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