The 12 Jyotirlingas (Dwadasa Jyotirlingas) are twelve holy shrines of Lord Shiva where he is believed to have revealed himself as a self-manifested pillar of divine light. They are spread across India, from Somnath on the western coast to Rameshwaram in the south and Kedarnath in the Himalayas. For Telugu devotees, the closest and most cherished is Sri Mallikarjuna at Srisailam.
What is a Jyotirlinga?
According to the Shiva Purana, Brahma and Vishnu once argued over who was greater. Shiva appeared between them as a blazing column of light with no beginning and no end. Brahma flew upward and Vishnu dug downward, but neither could find its limit. This infinite light is the Jyotirlinga, and the twelve shrines are honoured as places where that light shone forth on earth.
An ordinary Shivalinga symbolises the formless Shiva, while a Jyotirlinga is revered as a swayambhu (self-manifested) presence. That is why many Shiva devotees hope to visit all twelve at least once in their lifetime.
List of the 12 Jyotirlingas
The order below follows the well-known Dwadasa Jyotirlinga Stotram.
| No. | Jyotirlinga | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Somnath | Saurashtra, Gujarat |
| 2 | Mallikarjuna | Srisailam, Andhra Pradesh |
| 3 | Mahakaleshwar | Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh |
| 4 | Omkareshwar (Amaleshwar) | Narmada river, Madhya Pradesh |
| 5 | Vaidyanath | Deoghar (Jharkhand) or Parli (Maharashtra) |
| 6 | Bhimashankar | Sahyadri hills, Maharashtra |
| 7 | Rameshwaram | Setubandha, Tamil Nadu |
| 8 | Nageshwar | Darukavana, near Dwarka, Gujarat |
| 9 | Kashi Vishwanath | Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh |
| 10 | Trimbakeshwar | Source of the Godavari, near Nashik |
| 11 | Kedarnath | Himalayas, Uttarakhand |
| 12 | Grishneshwar | Near Ellora, Maharashtra |
For Vaidyanath, Nageshwar and Bhimashankar, more than one temple claims to be the original Jyotirlinga. These are regional traditions; devotees may follow their own family custom.
The Dwadasa Jyotirlinga Stotram
This short hymn names all twelve shrines in sequence. Many families recite it morning and evening.
Saurashtre Somanatham cha Srisaile Mallikarjunam
Ujjayinyam Mahakalam Omkaram Amaleshwaram
Paralyam Vaidyanatham cha Dakinyam Bhimashankaram
Setubandhe tu Ramesham Nagesham Darukavane
Varanasyam tu Vishvesham Tryambakam Gautamitate
Himalaye tu Kedaram Ghushmesham cha Shivalaye
Etani jyotirlingani sayam pratah pathennarah
Saptajanmakritam papam smaranena vinashyati
The last verse is the phalashruti: remembering these Jyotirlingas morning and evening is said to dissolve the sins of seven births. If you are unsure of pronunciation, learn it from an elder or your family purohit.
Srisailam Mallikarjuna: the Telugu Jyotirlinga
Second in the stotram, Mallikarjuna stands on the Nallamala hills above the Krishna river. Srisailam is special because it is both a Jyotirlinga and one of the Ashtadasa Shakti Peethas, the seat of Goddess Bhramaramba. Shiva and Shakti are worshipped together in one temple complex, which is rare.
The story behind the name
A popular legend says Kumaraswamy, upset with his parents, went away to the Krouncha mountain. Shiva and Parvati came to stay near him. One explanation reads Mallika (jasmine) as Parvati and Arjuna as Shiva. Some traditions also tell of a devotee who worshipped the Lord with jasmine flowers.
Why Telugu devotees hold it dear
- Maha Shivaratri Brahmotsavams draw huge crowds every year.
- Karthika Masam Mondays and deeparadhana are especially observed here.
- A holy dip at Patala Ganga before darshan is a cherished custom.
- Even seeing the Srisaila Shikharam (peak) is considered meritorious.
Brief notes on each Jyotirlinga
Somnath is linked to the Moon god being freed from a curse. Kedarnath in the Himalayas opens only in the warmer months. Kashi Vishwanath presides over Varanasi on the Ganga. Nageshwar is associated with the devotee Supriya, protected by Shiva in Darukavana. Mahakaleshwar faces south and is known for the Bhasma Aarti. Omkareshwar sits on an Om-shaped island in the Narmada. Trimbakeshwar is near the source of the Godavari, giving it a special bond with Telugu families. Grishneshwar honours the devotion of Ghushma. Rameshwaram is where Sri Rama worshipped Shiva before crossing to Lanka, and many families complete a Kashi yatra there. Vaidyanath is linked with Ravana and revered as the healer.
How to prepare for a Jyotirlinga yatra
- Decide with your family which shrines to visit and in what order.
- Check darshan timings and seva details on the official temple website before travelling.
- For hill shrines like Kedarnath, consider weather and health; elders should consult a doctor.
- Bathe and wear clean, traditional clothing for darshan.
- Recite the stotram or the Panchakshari during the journey.
- Share the prasadam with relatives and friends on your return.
Remembering the Jyotirlingas at home
Not everyone can travel to all twelve, and the stotram itself stresses smarana (remembrance). On Mondays, Masa Shivaratri, in Karthika Masam or on Maha Shivaratri, light a deepam before Shiva at home, recite the stotram and offer bilva leaves. Bowing while mentally naming the twelve shrines is a simple, sincere practice.
Key points
- A Jyotirlinga is a self-manifested shrine of Shiva as infinite light.
- There are twelve, beginning with Somnath and ending with Grishneshwar.
- Srisailam Mallikarjuna is the only one in the Telugu states and is also a Shakti Peetha.
- Some Jyotirlinga locations have regional variations.
- Reciting the Dwadasa Jyotirlinga Stotram morning and evening is an easy daily practice.