12 Jyotirlingas Explained: Hidden Powers & Skanda Purana Stories
12 Jyotirlingas Explained: Hidden Powers of Shiva According to Puranas
12 ज्योतिर्लिंग क्या है? (Short Answer)
The 12 Jyotirlingas are the most sacred abodes of Lord Shiva, where he is believed to have appeared as an endless, fiery column of cosmic light (Jyoti). According to the Shiva Purana and Skanda Purana, these shrines are Swayambhu (self-manifested) and hold immense hidden powers to grant liberation, heal diseases, and destroy bad karma.
Om Namah Shivaya!
Embarking on a physical journey to all 12 shrines (Dwadash Jyotirlinga Yatra) is a lifelong dream for many. However, ancient scriptures explicitly state that merely reading about their origins, understanding their hidden powers, and performing a Rudrabhishek Puja at home is traditionally believed to invoke similar blessings and spiritual merit.
Where Are the 12 Jyotirlingas Mentioned in Scriptures?
To fully understand the power of these shrines, we must look to the ancient texts. The primary source detailing the origin and exact locations of the 12 Jyotirlingas is the Shiva Purana (specifically the Koti Rudra Samhita).
The Skanda Purana also offers profound mythological context, elaborating on the specific boons granted at these sites. Furthermore, Adi Shankaracharya immortalized these locations in the highly revered Dwadasha Jyotirlinga Stotram, a hymn chanted daily by millions.
12 Jyotirlinga Names and Places (With Core Powers)
Here is a quick-reference guide to the 12 shrines, their states, and the primary spiritual benefit (hidden power) they manifest.
| # | Jyotirlinga Name | Location (State) | Hidden Power / Benefit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Somnath | Prabhas Patan, Gujarat | Cures depression, restores lost glory |
| 2 | Mallikarjuna | Srisailam, Andhra Pradesh | Grants immense wealth and Siddhis |
| 3 | Mahakaleshwar | Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh | Destroys fear of premature death |
| 4 | Omkareshwar | Khandwa, Madhya Pradesh | Balances cosmic vibrations, grants peace |
| 5 | Kedarnath | Rudraprayag, Uttarakhand | Cleanses past-life sins, grants Moksha |
| 6 | Bhimashankar | Pune, Maharashtra | Destroys hidden enemies and demonic forces |
| 7 | Kashi Vishwanath | Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh | Grants ultimate spiritual enlightenment |
| 8 | Trimbakeshwar | Nashik, Maharashtra | Cures Kal Sarp Dosh, grants salvation |
| 9 | Vaidyanath | Deoghar, Jharkhand | Ultimate healer of chronic physical diseases |
| 10 | Nageshwar | Dwarka, Gujarat | Protects from poisons, toxins, and snake bites |
| 11 | Rameshwaram | Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu | Absolves the sin of Brahmahatya |
| 12 | Grishneshwar | Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Maharashtra | Restores broken families and lost progeny |
12 Jyotirlingas Map of India (With Travel Zones)
Planning a pilgrimage? The 12 Jyotirlingas are spread across India, making it a true pan-Indian spiritual journey. Here is how they are geographically distributed:
- North India Jyotirlinga: Kedarnath (Uttarakhand), Kashi Vishwanath (Uttar Pradesh) – near Delhi and Varanasi.
- West India Jyotirlinga: Somnath and Nageshwar (Gujarat). Maharashtra hosts three: Trimbakeshwar (near Nashik/Mumbai), Bhimashankar (near Pune), and Grishneshwar (near Aurangabad).
- Central India Jyotirlinga: Mahakaleshwar (Ujjain) and Omkareshwar, both in Madhya Pradesh.
- East India Jyotirlinga: Vaidyanath in Deoghar, Jharkhand.
- South India Jyotirlinga: Mallikarjuna in Srisailam (Andhra Pradesh) and Rameshwaram in Tamil Nadu.
The Origin Story: The Endless Pillar of Light
Once, Lord Brahma (the Creator) and Lord Vishnu (the Preserver) had an argument over who was the supreme deity. To settle the dispute, Lord Shiva pierced the three worlds as a massive, infinite pillar of fire (Jyotirlinga). He challenged them: whoever finds the end of this light is the supreme.
Vishnu took the form of a boar (Varaha) and went down, while Brahma took the form of a swan (Hamsa) and flew up. Neither could find the end. Vishnu humbly admitted defeat, but Brahma lied, claiming he found the top. Furious at the lie, Shiva appeared from the pillar, cursing Brahma that he would never be worshipped, and blessing Vishnu to be worshipped eternally.
The 12 places on Earth where this infinite column of light cooled down and manifested as physical Lingams became the Dwadash Jyotirlingas.
The 12 Jyotirlingas Explained: Hidden Powers & Purana Stories
1. Somnath Jyotirlinga (Gujarat)
The Legend & History: According to the Skanda Purana, the Moon God (Chandra) was married to the 27 daughters of Daksha Prajapati. However, he only loved Rohini. Angered by this, Daksha cursed Chandra to lose his radiance and slowly wither away. Terrified, Chandra performed severe penance at Prabhas Patan. Lord Shiva appeared, placed the crescent moon on his head, and partially lifted the curse. Historically, Somnath is a symbol of profound resilience, having been destroyed and rebuilt multiple times over centuries.
Hidden Power: Somnath represents the mind (as the Moon rules the mind in Vedic astrology). Worshipping here, or performing a Rudrabhishek in the name of Somnath, cures severe depression, anxiety, and restores lost reputation and wealth.
2. Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga (Andhra Pradesh)
The Legend: Located on the Shri Saila mountain, this is the only shrine that is both a Jyotirlinga and a Shakti Peeth (Bhramaramba). When Lord Kartikeya got angry and left Mount Kailash, Shiva and Parvati came to Srisailam to pacify him. Shiva appeared as Arjuna (white) and Parvati as Mallika (jasmine).
Hidden Power: Mallikarjuna is the granter of immense spiritual Siddhis (supernatural powers). It is highly beneficial for resolving family disputes and bringing profound material wealth.
3. Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga (Madhya Pradesh)
The Legend: Located in Ujjain, this is the only south-facing (Dakshinamukhi) Jyotirlinga. The Shiva Purana states that a demon named Dushana tormented the Brahmins of Ujjain. The earth split open, and Lord Shiva emerged as Mahakal (The Lord of Time and Death), reducing the demon to ashes with a mere glance.
Hidden Power: Mahakaleshwar holds absolute dominion over Time. Devotees who direct their focus to Mahakal are shielded from accidents, incurable diseases, and premature death (Akaal Mrityu).
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4. Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga (Madhya Pradesh)
The Legend: Situated on an island in the Narmada river that is naturally shaped like the symbol “Om” (ॐ). Mount Vindhya performed rigorous penance to please Lord Shiva. Pleased, Shiva manifested here in two forms: Omkareshwar and Amareshwar.
Hidden Power: This Jyotirlinga balances the cosmic vibrations of a person’s life. It is the ultimate shrine for finding mental equilibrium, focus, and overcoming academic or career-related confusions.
5. Kedarnath Jyotirlinga (Uttarakhand)
The Legend: High in the snow-capped Himalayas, Kedarnath was established by the Pandavas. After the Kurukshetra war, they sought Shiva to absolve them of the sin of killing their kin. Shiva, disguised as a bull, tried to hide in the earth. Bhima grabbed the bull’s hump, which remained above ground and is worshipped as Kedarnath. This forms a crucial part of the Char Dham Yatra.
Hidden Power: Kedarnath is the gateway to Moksha (liberation). Worshiping this Jyotirlinga burns away the heaviest of karmic debts and ancestral curses (Pitru Dosh).
6. Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga (Maharashtra)
The Legend: The demon Bhima (son of Kumbhakarna) wanted to avenge his father’s death by destroying the universe. He captured an ardent Shiva devotee, King Kamrupeshwar. When the demon raised his sword to strike the Shiva Linga, Lord Shiva burst forth from the stone and reduced the demon to ashes, manifesting as Bhimashankar.
Hidden Power: This Linga radiates raw physical and mental strength. It empowers devotees to crush their inner demons (anger, lust, greed) and protects against black magic and hidden enemies.
7. Kashi Vishwanath Jyotirlinga (Uttar Pradesh)
The Legend & History: Varanasi (Kashi) is believed to be the city that rests on the trident (Trishul) of Lord Shiva. It is said that when the earth was created, the first ray of light (Jyoti) fell on Kashi. Historically, Kashi is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, the spiritual capital of India.
Hidden Power: “Kashi” means luminous. Vishwanath is the Lord of the Universe. Breathing your last in Kashi is said to grant immediate liberation. Worshipping Vishwanath grants ultimate spiritual enlightenment and destroys the illusion of ego (Ahankar).
8. Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga (Maharashtra)
The Legend: Located near Nashik, this unique Jyotirlinga has three faces representing Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh. Sage Gautam performed intense penance here after being falsely accused of killing a cow. Pleased, Shiva brought the river Godavari down to earth to purify the sage, and stayed there as Trimbakeshwar.
Hidden Power: This is the most powerful location on earth to perform Kaal Sarp Dosh Puja and Narayan Nagbali. It destroys extreme planetary afflictions related to Rahu and Ketu.
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9. Vaidyanath Jyotirlinga (Jharkhand)
The Legend: The demon king Ravana performed severe penance to take Lord Shiva to Lanka. He offered his 10 heads one by one to the fire. Pleased, Shiva joined his heads back like a Vaidya (Doctor). Shiva agreed to go as a Linga but warned Ravana not to put it down. The gods tricked Ravana into placing the Linga on the ground at Deoghar, where it became permanently rooted.
Hidden Power: Vaidyanath literally means “The Supreme Physician.” Worshiping here cures chronic illnesses, mental trauma, and ensures a healthy, pain-free life.
10. Nageshwar Jyotirlinga (Gujarat)
The Legend: A demon named Daruka imprisoned a supreme Shiva devotee named Supriya. Inside the prison, Supriya continued chanting “Om Namah Shivaya” and created a Lingam out of mud. When the demon tried to kill her, Lord Shiva emerged from the mud Lingam covered in serpents (Nagas) and saved her.
Hidden Power: Nageshwar protects devotees from poisons—both physical (snakebites, toxins, diseases) and spiritual (toxic relationships, gossip, and inner negativity).
11. Rameshwaram Jyotirlinga (Tamil Nadu)
The Legend: Before crossing the ocean to fight Ravana, Lord Rama wanted to pray to Shiva. He asked Hanuman to bring a Linga from Kailash, but Hanuman was delayed. To not miss the auspicious Muhurat, Sita made a Linga out of sea sand. Lord Rama worshipped it, giving it the name Rameshwaram (The Lord of Rama).
Hidden Power: Worshipping this Jyotirlinga absolves one of the heaviest sins, including Brahmahatya (which Rama incurred by killing Ravana). It brings ultimate victory in court cases, legal battles, and life struggles.
12. Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga (Maharashtra)
The Legend: A devout woman named Ghushma used to make 101 Shiva Lingas out of clay every day, worship them, and discharge them in a nearby lake. Her jealous sister-in-law murdered Ghushma’s son and threw him in the same lake. Despite her grief, Ghushma continued her daily puja. Pleased by her unshakeable devotion, Shiva resurrected her son and manifested as Grishneshwar.
Hidden Power: This Jyotirlinga is the ultimate granter of progeny (children). It restores broken marriages, heals family trauma, and brings immense domestic peace.
The Dwadasha Jyotirlinga Stotram
Adi Shankaracharya composed a powerful Sanskrit hymn praising these 12 shrines. Reciting this Stotram every morning is said to erase the sins of seven past lives.
उज्जयिन्यां महाकालमोङ्कारममलेश्वरम्॥
परल्यां वैद्यनाथं च डाकिन्यां भीमशङ्करम्।
सेतुबन्धे तु रामेशं नागेशं दारुकावने॥
वाराणस्यां तु विश्वेशं त्र्यम्बकं गौतमीतटे।
हिमालये तु केदारं घुश्मेशं च शिवालये॥
एतानि ज्योतिर्लिङ्गानि सायं प्रातः पठेन्नरः।
सप्तजन्मकृतं पापं स्मरणेन विनश्यति॥”
Scientific and Astrological Significance
From an astrological standpoint, the 12 Jyotirlingas correspond directly to the 12 Zodiac signs (Rashis). Depending on where your moon is placed in your birth chart, performing an Abhishek for a specific Jyotirlinga, or understanding the Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra Meaning, can dramatically alter your fate.
- Aries (Mesh): Rameshwaram
- Taurus (Vrishabha): Somnath
- Gemini (Mithuna): Nageshwar
- Cancer (Karka): Omkareshwar
- Leo (Simha): Mahakaleshwar
- Virgo (Kanya): Mallikarjuna
- Libra (Tula): Mahakaleshwar
- Scorpio (Vrishchika): Grishneshwar
- Sagittarius (Dhanu): Kashi Vishwanath
- Capricorn (Makara): Bhimashankar
- Aquarius (Kumbha): Kedarnath
- Pisces (Meena): Trimbakeshwar
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Frequently Asked Questions
A normal Shiva Linga is man-made and established through Pran Pratishtha (consecration). A Jyotirlinga is ‘Swayambhu’ (self-manifested), representing a spot where Lord Shiva’s infinite cosmic light pierced the earth.
Somnath in Gujarat is globally recognized as the first of the 12 Jyotirlingas. It is associated with the Moon God (Chandra) regaining his lost radiance.
Yes. Chanting the Dwadasha Jyotirlinga Stotram and performing a Vedic Rudrabhishek Puja at home with a Pandit is traditionally believed to invoke similar blessings and cosmic energies.
Mahakaleshwar in Ujjain is the ultimate Jyotirlinga for conquering the fear of death and diseases. Lord Shiva resides here as ‘Mahakal’ (the Lord of Time).
The core concept of Rudra (Shiva) and the pillar of fire (Skambha) is present in the Vedas (Atharva Veda). However, the specific list of the 12 physical Jyotirlinga locations is detailed primarily in the Shiva Purana and Skanda Purana.
Grishneshwar and Mallikarjuna are highly revered for resolving marital issues, removing marriage delays, and blessing couples with progeny.
Maharashtra is home to the highest number of Jyotirlingas, hosting three: Bhimashankar, Trimbakeshwar, and Grishneshwar.
All 12 Jyotirlingas possess equal cosmic energy as they represent the same infinite light of Shiva. However, Mahakaleshwar (for protection) and Kashi Vishwanath (for liberation) are often sought for their specific, intense attributes.
