1. Somnath Jyotirlinga - Somnath, Gujarat
Significance: Known as the "Protector of the Moon God," Somnath is the first among the Jyotirlingas.
Legend: The Moon God, Chandra, married 27 daughters of Daksha Prajapati but favored one, Rohini, causing Daksha to curse him. Chandra lost his radiance, but after worshipping Lord Shiva at Somnath, he was blessed and regained his luster.
2. Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga - Srisailam, Andhra Pradesh
Significance: Known as "The Auspicious One," it represents Shiva and Shakti together.
Legend: Shiva and Parvati descended to Srisailam to console their son Kartikeya, who was upset after being defeated by his brother, Ganesha. Their presence there transformed the place into a Jyotirlinga.
3. Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga - Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh
Significance: Known as the "Lord of Time," it is revered for its ability to grant protection from untimely death.
Legend: A demon named Dushana troubled the people of Ujjain. Shiva emerged from the earth as Mahakal to protect them and defeated the demon, settling there as a Jyotirlinga.
4. Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga - Mandhata Island, Madhya Pradesh
Significance: Symbolizes "Om," the primal sound of the universe.
Legend: Two sons of King Mandhata meditated on Lord Shiva, who appeared as Omkareshwar to bless them. Another story says Shiva appeared to fulfill the prayers of the gods who sought his protection against a demon.
5. Kedarnath Jyotirlinga - Kedarnath, Uttarakhand
Significance: Known as the "Lord of the Field," it’s situated in the Himalayas and is part of the Char Dham pilgrimage.
Legend: After the Kurukshetra war, the Pandavas sought Shiva’s forgiveness for their sins. Shiva transformed into a bull to hide, but Bhima caught him. The body parts of the bull appeared in different places, forming Kedarnath as one of the Jyotirlingas.
6. Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga - Pune, Maharashtra
Significance: Associated with the Bhima River, symbolizing spiritual power.
Legend: A demon named Bhima terrorized the locals, and they prayed to Shiva for help. Shiva appeared and defeated the demon, establishing himself as Bhimashankar.
7. Kashi Vishwanath Jyotirlinga - Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
Significance: Known as the "Lord of the Universe," Kashi Vishwanath is a major pilgrimage destination, symbolizing liberation.
Legend: Lord Shiva established himself in Kashi (Varanasi) to offer moksha (liberation) to those who die in the city. It is said that Shiva himself whispers the Tarak Mantra into the ears of the departed here.
8. Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga - Nashik, Maharashtra
Significance: Associated with the origin of the Godavari River, it represents the trinity of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva.
Legend: The sage Gautama prayed to Lord Shiva to bring the Ganga River to purify his hermitage. Shiva appeared as Trimbakeshwar, and the river Godavari originated here.
9. Vaidyanath Jyotirlinga - Deoghar, Jharkhand (or Parli, Maharashtra)
Significance: Known as the "Physician of the Gods," Vaidyanath is believed to cure ailments.
Legend: Ravana prayed to Lord Shiva for immense power, attempting to carry Shiva's lingam back to Lanka. Due to divine intervention, Ravana had to set the lingam down, establishing it as the Vaidyanath Jyotirlinga.
10. Nageshwar Jyotirlinga - Dwarka, Gujarat
Significance: Known as "Protector from All Poisons," it represents protection from worldly troubles.
Legend: A devotee named Supriya was imprisoned by a demon named Daruka. She prayed to Shiva, who defeated the demon and appeared as the Nageshwar Jyotirlinga to protect his devotees.
11. Ramanathaswamy Jyotirlinga - Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu
Significance: Represents the "Lord of Rama," it symbolizes devotion and absolution.
Legend: Lord Rama worshipped Shiva here to absolve himself of the sins incurred in the war against Ravana. Shiva manifested as Ramanathaswamy, granting blessings to Lord Rama.
12. Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga - Ellora, Maharashtra
Significance: Known as "Lord of Compassion," it is the smallest Jyotirlinga in terms of structure but highly revered.
Legend: A devout woman named Kusuma worshipped Shiva daily by immersing the lingam in a lake. Her devotion brought the appearance of the Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga, after Shiva blessed her.
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These Jyotirlingas are revered as physical representations of Shiva’s omnipresence, each carrying unique blessings and powers. Pilgrims visit these shrines seeking Shiva's divine grace, healing, and spiritual liberation.
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