Twelve jyotirlingas

 The twelve Jyotirlingas, also known as the Dwadash Jyotirlingas, are considered to be the most sacred and important shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva in Hinduism. According to Hindu mythology, Lord Shiva appeared in the form of light (jyoti) at each of these twelve shrines, and thus they are considered to be especially powerful and auspicious places of worship.

Each Jyotirlinga temple has its own unique history, legends, and significance. However, all twelve shrines are revered for their association with Lord Shiva and are considered to be powerful sources of spiritual energy and blessings.

Visiting the twelve Jyotirlingas is considered to be a sacred pilgrimage for Hindus, and many devotees undertake the journey to these shrines as a way of attaining spiritual fulfillment and blessings from Lord Shiva.

Here is a list of the twelve Jyotirlingas in India:

Somnath in Saurashtra, Gujarat- Located in the Saurashtra region of Gujarat, the Somnath temple is considered to be one of the most ancient and revered shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple is said to have been built by Lord Moon and has been destroyed and rebuilt several times in history. The present temple was built in 1947 and is a popular pilgrimage site for Hindus.

Mallikarjuna in Srisailam, Andhra Pradesh- Located in the town of Srisailam in Andhra Pradesh, the Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga is considered to be one of the most sacred shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple is famous for its beautiful architecture and intricate carvings, and is a popular pilgrimage site for Lord Shiva's devotees.

Mahakaleshwar in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh- Located in the city of Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh, the Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga is considered to be one of the five main pilgrimage sites for Lord Shiva's devotees. The temple is famous for its large linga, which is said to be one of the largest in India, and for the sacred Kshipra river that flows nearby.

Omkareshwar in Madhya Pradesh- Located in the town of Omkareshwar in Madhya Pradesh, the Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga is considered to be one of the five main pilgrimage sites for Lord Shiva's devotees. The temple is situated on an island in the Narmada river, and is famous for its beautiful architecture and intricate carvings

Kedarnath in Uttarakhand- Located in the Himalayan region of Uttarakhand, the Kedarnath Jyotirlinga is considered to be one of the most sacred and remote shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple is situated at a high altitude and is only accessible by foot, and is famous for its beautiful scenery and peaceful atmosphere.

Bhimashankar in Maharashtra-Located in the Sahyadri hills in Maharashtra, the Bhimashankar temple is considered to be one of the oldest and most revered Jyotirlinga shrines in India. According to Hindu mythology, Lord Shiva appeared at this site to subdue a demon named Bhima. The temple is a popular pilgrimage site for Lord Shiva's devotees.

Viswanath (Varanasi) in Uttar Pradesh- Located in the town of Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, the Viswanatha Jyotirlinga is considered to be one of the five main pilgrimage sites for Lord Shiva's devotees. The temple is situated on the banks of the Ganges river and is famous for its beautiful architecture, rich cultural heritage, and spiritual significance.

Triambakeshwar in Nashik, Maharashtra- Located in Nashik, Maharashtra, the Triambakeshwar temple is considered to be one of the five main pilgrimage sites for Lord Shiva's devotees. The temple is famous for its three lingas, which represent Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu, and Lord Shiva, and for the sacred Godavari river that flows nearby.

Vaidyanath (Deogarh) in Jharkhand-  located in the town of Deoghar in Jharkhand and is considered to be one of the most sacred shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple is famous for its beautiful architecture and the sacred Sone river that flows nearby. Many devotees visit the temple to offer prayers and seek blessings from Lord Shiva.

Nageshwar in Dwaraka, Gujarat- Also known as Nageshwar, this Jyotirlinga temple is located in the town of Dwaraka in Gujarat. It is believed that Lord Shiva appeared in the form of a Jyotirlinga at this site to subdue a demon named Daruka. The temple is considered to be one of the five main pilgrimage sites for Lord Shiva's devotees.

Rameshwar in Tamil Nadu- located in the town of Rameshwaram in Tamil Nadu and is considered to be one of the most important pilgrimage sites for Lord Shiva's devotees. The temple is situated on an island in the Bay of Bengal and is famous for its beautiful scenery and spiritual significance. Many devotees visit the temple to offer prayers and seek blessings from Lord Shiva.

Grishneshwar in Maharashtra- Located near the city of Aurangabad in Maharashtra, the Grishneshwar temple is considered to be the last of the twelve Jyotirlinga shrines to be visited by devotees. The temple is famous for its beautiful carvings and intricate architecture, and is a popular pilgrimage site for Lord Shiva's devotees.