12 Jyotirlinga: Names, Places, Map & Yatra Route
द्वादश ज्योतिर्लिंगTwelve pillars of light, one yatra.
The names and places of all 12 Jyotirlingas, an interactive map, the legend behind each temple, darshan timings, how to reach — and a realistic route for the full circuit.
- 12 temples
- 7 states
- 3,583 m Kedarnath, the highest
- 18–22 days for all twelve
The 12 Jyotirlingas: names, places and states
The 12 Jyotirlingas are Somnath (Gujarat), Mallikarjuna (Andhra Pradesh), Mahakaleshwar and Omkareshwar (Madhya Pradesh), Kedarnath (Uttarakhand), Bhimashankar (Maharashtra), Kashi Vishwanath (Uttar Pradesh), Trimbakeshwar (Maharashtra), Vaidyanath (Jharkhand), Nageshwar (Gujarat), Rameshwaram (Tamil Nadu) and Grishneshwar (Maharashtra). Each marks a place where Shiva is worshipped as a pillar of light.
Showing 12 of 12
| # | Jyotirlinga | Town & state | Temple hours | Nearest airport | Nearest railway | Best months |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Somnathसोमनाथ | Prabhas Patan (near Veraval) Gujarat |
6 am – 10 pm daily | Diu (85 km); Rajkot (200 km) | Somnath (0.5 km); Veraval (7 km) | Oct – Mar |
| 2 | Mallikarjunaमल्लिकार्जुन | Srisailam Andhra Pradesh |
Darshan slots from about 4:30 am to 8:30 pm (confirm on the temple portal) | Hyderabad (about 200 km) | Markapur Road (85 km) | Oct – Feb |
| 3 | Mahakaleshwarमहाकालेश्वर | Ujjain Madhya Pradesh |
From about 4 am to 11 pm (confirm locally) | Indore (about 55 km) | Ujjain Junction (about 2 km) | Oct – Mar |
| 4 | Omkareshwarओंकारेश्वर | Omkareshwar (Mandhata island) Madhya Pradesh |
Darshan 5 am – 10:30 pm, with breaks for aarti and shringar | Indore (77 km) | Sanawad (12 km); Khandwa (72 km) | Oct – Mar |
| 5 | Kedarnathकेदारनाथ | Kedarnath Uttarakhand |
Seasonal; daily hours not published by the temple committee | Jolly Grant, Dehradun (about 240 km to Gaurikund) | Rishikesh (about 215 km to Gaurikund) | May – Jun, mid-Sep – Oct |
| 6 | Bhimashankarभीमाशंकर | Bhimashankar Maharashtra |
Confirm locally — the temple reopened in June 2026 with online passes | Pune (about 110–120 km) | Pune Junction (about 110 km) | Oct – Feb |
| 7 | Kashi Vishwanathकाशी विश्वनाथ | Varanasi (Kashi) Uttar Pradesh |
Temple 3 am – 11 pm | Varanasi Babatpur (about 25 km) | Varanasi Junction (about 5 km) | Oct – Mar |
| 8 | Trimbakeshwarत्र्यंबकेश्वर | Trimbak Maharashtra |
5:30 am – 9 pm | Nashik Ozar (about 55 km) | Nashik Road (40 km) | Jul – Feb |
| 9 | Vaidyanathवैद्यनाथ | Deoghar Jharkhand |
4 am – 4 pm and 6 pm – 8 pm | Deoghar (9 km) | Jasidih Junction (7 km) | Oct – Mar |
| 10 | Nageshwarनागेश्वर | Near Dwarka (on the Dwarka-Okha/Bet Dwarka route) Gujarat |
Dawn to dusk (confirm locally) | Jamnagar (about 130 km) | Dwarka (about 18 km) | Oct – Mar |
| 11 | Rameshwaramरामेश्वरम् | Rameswaram (Pamban island) Tamil Nadu |
5 am – 1 pm and 3 pm – 9 pm | Madurai (about 175 km) | Rameswaram (about 2 km) | Oct – Apr |
| 12 | Grishneshwarघृष्णेश्वर | Verul (Ellora) Maharashtra |
5:30 am – 9:30 pm | Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (about 30–37 km) | Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (about 30 km) | Jul – Mar |
12 Jyotirling ke naam — names in Hindi
| # | हिन्दी नाम | English | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | सोमनाथ ज्योतिर्लिंग | Somnath Jyotirlinga | Gujarat |
| 2 | मल्लिकार्जुन ज्योतिर्लिंग | Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga | Andhra Pradesh |
| 3 | महाकालेश्वर ज्योतिर्लिंग | Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga | Madhya Pradesh |
| 4 | ओंकारेश्वर ज्योतिर्लिंग | Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga | Madhya Pradesh |
| 5 | केदारनाथ ज्योतिर्लिंग | Kedarnath Jyotirlinga | Uttarakhand |
| 6 | भीमाशंकर ज्योतिर्लिंग | Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga | Maharashtra |
| 7 | काशी विश्वनाथ ज्योतिर्लिंग | Kashi Vishwanath Jyotirlinga | Uttar Pradesh |
| 8 | त्र्यंबकेश्वर ज्योतिर्लिंग | Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga | Maharashtra |
| 9 | वैद्यनाथ ज्योतिर्लिंग (बाबा बैद्यनाथ धाम) | Vaidyanath Jyotirlinga | Jharkhand |
| 10 | नागेश्वर ज्योतिर्लिंग | Nageshwar Jyotirlinga | Gujarat |
| 11 | रामेश्वरम् (रामनाथस्वामी) ज्योतिर्लिंग | Rameshwaram Jyotirlinga | Tamil Nadu |
| 12 | घृष्णेश्वर ज्योतिर्लिंग | Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga | Maharashtra |
Where are the 12 Jyotirlingas?
Each light sits at the temple’s true latitude and longitude. Tap one to read its story; the animation lights them in the Shiva Purana’s order.
Somnath
According to the Shiva Purana (Koti Rudra Samhita) and the Prabhas Khanda of the Skanda Purana, the Moon god Chandra married the twenty-seven daughters of Daksha Prajapati but showered his love on Rohini alone. The neglected sisters complained, and when Chandra ignored Daksha's warnings, the angry father cursed him to waste away.
Tap any light on the map to read its story.
Four of the twelve are in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh’s Malwa plateau, two on the Gujarat coast, two in the deep south, two in the north and one in the east — which is why the full yatra is planned region by region.
Why “pillar of light”? The story of the first Jyotirlinga
The Shiva Purana tells of a quarrel at the beginning of time, between Brahma the creator and Vishnu the preserver.
- Who is greater?Brahma and Vishnu argue over which of them is supreme.
- A pillar of lightAn endless column of fire appears between them, splitting earth and sky.
- No top, no endVishnu dives as a boar to find its base; Brahma flies up as a swan. Neither finds an end.
- Shiva emergesShiva appears from the pillar — the light worshipped at the twelve Jyotirlingas.
The scene is carved in temples across India as the Lingodbhava. Each Jyotirlinga then has its own story — the Moon’s curse at Somnath, the demon Dushana at Ujjain, the Vindhya mountain at Omkareshwar, the Pandavas at Kedarnath. You’ll find them temple by temple below.
How to plan the 12 Jyotirlinga yatra
The temples are spread over seven states, so pilgrims group them and fly between the groups. A comfortable pace is 18–22 days; many families split the circuit over two or three trips.
-
North · 5–7 daysKedarnath & Kashi Vishwanathकेदारनाथ · काशी
Kedarnath only between late April and November (registration compulsory); Kashi all year — combine with Ayodhya and Prayagraj.
-
Madhya Pradesh · 2–3 daysMahakaleshwar & Omkareshwarमहाकाल · ओंकारेश्वर
Fly to Indore; Ujjain and Omkareshwar are a drive apart. Book the Bhasma Aarti well in advance.
-
Maharashtra · 4–5 daysTrimbakeshwar, Grishneshwar & Bhimashankarत्र्यंबकेश्वर · घृष्णेश्वर · भीमाशंकर
Nashik, Ellora and the Sahyadri forests. Add Parli Vaidyanath and Aundha Nagnath if you follow those traditions.
-
Gujarat · 2–3 daysSomnath & Nageshwarसोमनाथ · नागेश्वर
The Saurashtra coast, with Dwarkadhish temple next to Nageshwar.
-
South · 3–4 daysMallikarjuna & Rameshwaramमल्लिकार्जुन · रामेश्वरम्
Srisailam in the Nallamala hills; Rameshwaram on Pamban island — add Madurai and Kanyakumari.
-
East · 1–2 daysVaidyanath, Deogharबैद्यनाथ धाम
Busiest in Shravan, when kanwariyas carry Ganga water from Sultanganj.
Somnath सोमनाथ
Shree Somnath Temple (Somnath Mahadev Mandir) · Prabhas Patan (near Veraval), Gir Somnath district
According to the Shiva Purana (Koti Rudra Samhita) and the Prabhas Khanda of the Skanda Purana, the Moon god Chandra married the twenty-seven daughters of Daksha Prajapati but showered his love on Rohini alone. The neglected sisters complained, and when Chandra ignored Daksha's warnings, the angry father cursed him to waste away. As the Moon's glow faded, the worlds suffered. On Brahma's advice Chandra came to Prabhas on the Saurashtra coast and worshipped Shiva with deep devotion. Shiva softened rather than cancelled the curse: the Moon would wane for one fortnight and grow again in the next. Grateful, Chandra, also called Soma, begged Shiva to remain at Prabhas, and the shrine came to be known as Somnath, the Lord of Soma.
| Temple hours | 6 am – 10 pm daily |
| Aarti | 7 am, 12 noon, 7 pm |
| Season | All year |
| Best months | Oct – Mar |
| Good to know | Phones, cameras and smartwatches are not allowed inside — free lockers at the gate. Book rooms and pujas only on somnath.org. |
| Nearest airport | Diu (85 km); Rajkot (200 km) |
| Nearest railway | Somnath (0.5 km); Veraval (7 km) |
| Official site | somnath.org |
Timings as published by the temple or state tourism (checked 8 Oct 2026); they change on festivals — confirm before you go.
Mallikarjuna मल्लिकार्जुन
Sri Bhramaramba Mallikarjuna Swamy Varla Devasthanam, Srisailam · Srisailam, Nandyal district
The Shiva Purana (Koti Rudra Samhita) relates that Shiva and Parvati set their sons a race around the world, the winner to marry first. Kartikeya sped away on his peacock, but Ganesha simply walked around his parents, calling them his whole universe, and was declared the winner and married. When Kartikeya returned and learned what had happened, he felt wronged and withdrew to the Krauncha mountain. His grieving parents followed and settled close by on the Srisailam hill so they could stay near him. It is believed Shiva shines here as a Jyotirlinga alongside Parvati as Bhramaramba. Popular tradition adds that Shiva visits as Arjuna on new-moon days and Parvati as Mallika on full-moon days, giving the name Mallikarjuna.
| Temple hours | Darshan slots from about 4:30 am to 8:30 pm (confirm on the temple portal) |
| Season | All year |
| Best months | Oct – Feb |
| Good to know | Srisailam is also a Shakti Peeth — Bhramaramba Devi. Kartika month and Mahashivratri bring very large crowds. |
| Nearest airport | Hyderabad (about 200 km) |
| Nearest railway | Markapur Road (85 km) |
| Official site | www.srisailadevasthanam.org |
Timings as published by the temple or state tourism (checked 8 Oct 2026); they change on festivals — confirm before you go.
Mahakaleshwar महाकालेश्वर
Shri Mahakaleshwar Temple, Ujjain · Ujjain, Ujjain district
According to the Shiva Purana (Koti Rudra Samhita), a learned Brahmin named Vedapriya lived in Avanti, today's Ujjain, with four devout sons who worshipped an earthen linga every day. The demon Dushana, empowered by a boon from Brahma, swept down from the Ratnamala hills, tormenting priests and stopping sacred rites. The family refused to abandon their prayers. As the demon closed in on them, the ground beside their linga split open and Shiva emerged in his terrifying Mahakala form, reducing Dushana to ashes with a mere roar. The grateful devotees begged him to stay and guard the city forever, and it is believed he remained as the self-manifested, south-facing Mahakaleshwar. Another tradition links the shrine to King Chandrasena and the young cowherd Shrikhar.
| Temple hours | From about 4 am to 11 pm (confirm locally) |
| Aarti | Bhasma Aarti from 4 am — advance booking needed |
| Season | All year |
| Best months | Oct – Mar |
| Good to know | Book the Bhasma Aarti on the temple website about a month ahead; since June 2026 one booking per mobile number every 90 days. Dhoti for men and saree for women in the inner sanctum. |
| Nearest airport | Indore (about 55 km) |
| Nearest railway | Ujjain Junction (about 2 km) |
| Official site | shrimahakaleshwar.mp.gov.in (booking: https: |
Timings as published by the temple or state tourism (checked 8 Oct 2026); they change on festivals — confirm before you go.
Omkareshwar ओंकारेश्वर
Shri Omkareshwar Mandir (with Mamleshwar / Amaleshwar on the south bank) · Omkareshwar (Mandhata island), Khandwa district
The Shiva Purana (Koti Rudra Samhita) relates that the sage Narada once praised Mount Meru in the presence of the Vindhya mountain, wounding Vindhya's pride. Seeking greatness, the mountain deity went to the banks of the Narmada, shaped a linga from earth and worshipped Shiva with long, single-minded penance. Pleased, Shiva appeared and granted his wish, and at the request of the gods and sages agreed to stay here in two aspects, Omkareshwar and Amaleshwar (Mamleshwar). Another tradition credits Mandhata, a king of the Ikshvaku line, whose devotion gave the island its name. The island, wrapped by the Narmada, is believed to resemble the sacred syllable Om, which is why Shiva here is hailed as the Lord of Omkara.
| Temple hours | Darshan 5 am – 10:30 pm, with breaks for aarti and shringar |
| Aarti | Mangala aarti 4:30 am; evening shringar 4 pm |
| Season | All year |
| Best months | Oct – Mar |
| Good to know | Most pilgrims visit both Omkareshwar on Mandhata island and Mamleshwar (Amaleshwar) on the south bank of the Narmada. |
| Nearest airport | Indore (77 km) |
| Nearest railway | Sanawad (12 km); Khandwa (72 km) |
| Official site | www.shriomkareshwar.org |
Other traditions: Not a location dispute, but tradition differs on whether the Jyotirlinga is Omkareshwar on the island or Mamleshwar/Amaleshwar on the south bank; most pilgrims visit both. The Shiva Purana list reads 'Omkare Parameshwaram'; the popular smaranam stotra reads 'Omkaram Amaleshwaram'.
Timings as published by the temple or state tourism (checked 8 Oct 2026); they change on festivals — confirm before you go.
Kedarnath केदारनाथ
Shri Kedarnath Dham · Kedarnath, Rudraprayag district
Tradition drawn from the Mahabharata cycle and the Shiva Purana holds that the Pandavas, burdened by the bloodshed of the Kurukshetra war, set out to find Shiva and seek his forgiveness. Shiva avoided them and hid in the Garhwal Himalaya disguised as a bull among a grazing herd. Bhima stood astride a valley so the cattle had to pass beneath his legs; one bull refused, and the brothers knew it was Shiva. As the bull sank into the earth, Bhima grabbed its hump, which remained at Kedarnath, while other parts appeared at the four other Panch Kedar shrines. The Shiva Purana also says Shiva settled here at the request of the sages Nara and Narayana, rewarding their long penance.
| Temple hours | Seasonal; daily hours not published by the temple committee |
| Season | Opened 22 Apr 2026; closes around Bhai Dooj (Nov) |
| Best months | May – Jun, mid-Sep – Oct |
| Good to know | Char Dham registration is compulsory. Walk about 16 km from Gaurikund, or go by pony, palki or helicopter — helicopter tickets only on heliyatra.irctc.co.in. |
| Nearest airport | Jolly Grant, Dehradun (about 240 km to Gaurikund) |
| Nearest railway | Rishikesh (about 215 km to Gaurikund) |
| Official site | www.badrinath-kedarnath.gov.in |
Timings as published by the temple or state tourism (checked 8 Oct 2026); they change on festivals — confirm before you go.
Bhimashankar भीमाशंकर
Shree Kshetra Bhimashankar Temple · Bhimashankar, Pune (Khed taluka) district
The Shiva Purana (Koti Rudra Samhita) tells of Bhima, son of Kumbhakarna and the demoness Karkati, who grew up in the hills after his father fell to Rama. Learning this, he performed fierce penance, won a boon of great strength from Brahma and set out to conquer the gods and righteous kings. He imprisoned Sudakshina, the Shiva-devoted king of Kamarupa, who kept worshipping a clay linga inside his prison. When Bhima raised his sword to smash that linga, Shiva burst forth and destroyed him. At the gods' plea Shiva remained there as Bhimashankar. A separate Maharashtra tradition links the name to Shiva's battle with the demon Tripurasura and says the sweat of that fight became the Bhima river.
| Temple hours | Confirm locally — the temple reopened in June 2026 with online passes |
| Season | All year (closed 9 Jan – 14 Jun 2026 for works) |
| Best months | Oct – Feb |
| Good to know | Ghat roads are foggy and slippery in the monsoon. Check whether an online darshan pass is needed before you go. |
| Nearest airport | Pune (about 110–120 km) |
| Nearest railway | Pune Junction (about 110 km) |
| Official site | shreebhimashankar.com |
Other traditions: The Shiva Purana places Bhimashankar in 'Dakini' and its story involves the king of Kamarupa (Assam). Most pilgrims and the Dwadasha Jyotirlinga tradition in western India identify it with Bhimashankar in Pune district, whose forest is called Dakini Vana.
Timings as published by the temple or state tourism (checked 8 Oct 2026); they change on festivals — confirm before you go.
Kashi Vishwanath काशी विश्वनाथ
Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple (Vishweshwar) · Varanasi (Kashi), Varanasi district
The Shiva Purana (Koti Rudra Samhita) honours Kashi as Avimukta, the place Shiva never leaves. It is believed that at the beginning of creation Shiva and Shakti shaped this city as their own home, and that it is held aloft on the tip of Shiva's trident, so it survives even the great dissolution of the universe. Tradition also links Vishweshwara with the endless column of light that appeared when Brahma and Vishnu quarrelled over who was greater; neither could find its top or base. Here Shiva is the Lord of the Universe, and devotees believe that anyone who dies in Kashi hears from him the liberating Taraka mantra, making the city a doorway to moksha.
| Temple hours | Temple 3 am – 11 pm |
| Aarti | Mangala 3 am; Saptarishi 7 pm |
| Season | All year |
| Best months | Oct – Mar |
| Good to know | Enter from Gate 1 for the Mangala aarti. Dev Deepawali and Mahashivratri are the most crowded days. |
| Nearest airport | Varanasi Babatpur (about 25 km) |
| Nearest railway | Varanasi Junction (about 5 km) |
| Official site | shrikashivishwanath.org |
Timings as published by the temple or state tourism (checked 8 Oct 2026); they change on festivals — confirm before you go.
Trimbakeshwar त्र्यंबकेश्वर
Shri Trimbakeshwar Temple · Trimbak, Nashik district
The Shiva Purana (Koti Rudra Samhita) recounts that Sage Gautama and his wife Ahalya lived on the Brahmagiri hills, where Varuna had granted them an ever-full pond during a drought. Envious sages schemed to drive him away: a frail cow was sent into his fields, and when Gautama shooed it with a blade of grass it fell dead. Blamed for killing a cow, Gautama turned to Shiva for atonement. Pleased by his penance, Shiva released the Ganga here, who flows on as the Godavari, also called Gautami, and agreed to remain as Tryambaka, the three-eyed lord. The linga's three small faces are believed to represent Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva together.
| Temple hours | 5:30 am – 9 pm |
| Aarti | Morning puja 7 am; mid-day puja 10:45 am |
| Season | All year |
| Best months | Jul – Feb |
| Good to know | The source of the Godavari is on Brahmagiri above the temple. Expect huge crowds on the 2027 Simhastha Kumbh bathing days. |
| Nearest airport | Nashik Ozar (about 55 km) |
| Nearest railway | Nashik Road (40 km) |
| Official site | trimbakeshwartrust.com |
Timings as published by the temple or state tourism (checked 8 Oct 2026); they change on festivals — confirm before you go.
Vaidyanath वैद्यनाथ
Baba Baidyanath Dham · Deoghar, Deoghar district
It is believed, following the Shiva Purana's account of Vaidyanath, that the demon-king Ravana performed fierce penance to win Shiva's grace, offering his heads one by one. Shiva restored him, which earned the Lord the title Vaidyanath, 'Lord of Physicians', and granted Ravana a linga to install in Lanka, on condition that it would stay wherever it first touched the ground. Fearing Ravana's growing power, the gods arranged that he was forced to halt on the way. A cowherd, identified with Vishnu and remembered locally as Baiju, held the linga and set it down. Ravana could not lift it again, pressed it with his thumb in anger, and the linga remained forever at Deoghar.
| Temple hours | 4 am – 4 pm and 6 pm – 8 pm |
| Aarti | Doors open 4 am; shringar puja 6:10 pm |
| Season | All year |
| Best months | Oct – Mar |
| Good to know | Shravan (Jul–Aug) is the great Kanwar season, when pilgrims carry Ganga water from Sultanganj — very crowded. |
| Nearest airport | Deoghar (9 km) |
| Nearest railway | Jasidih Junction (7 km) |
| Official site | babadham.org (see source_caveat) |
Other traditions: Three shrines are identified with the Vaidyanath Jyotirlinga. The Shiva Purana list says 'Vaidyanatham chitabhumau' (in the cremation-ground land), which tradition associates with Deoghar, Jharkhand – the most widely accepted site and the one used for lat/lon here.
Timings as published by the temple or state tourism (checked 8 Oct 2026); they change on festivals — confirm before you go.
Nageshwar नागेश्वर
Shri Nageshwar Jyotirlinga Temple (Dwarka) · Near Dwarka (on the Dwarka-Okha/Bet Dwarka route), Devbhumi Dwarka district
The Shiva Purana (Koti Rudra Samhita) tells of a demon named Daruka and his demoness consort who ruled the forest of Darukavana beside the western sea and preyed on travellers. Among their captives was Supriya, a merchant devoted to Shiva, who kept leading his fellow prisoners in chanting Shiva's name inside the demons' dungeon. When the demons rushed to kill him, Shiva appeared in a blaze of light, destroyed the attackers and blessed his devotee. At the request of those he had rescued, Shiva remained there as Nageshwara, 'Lord of the Serpents', with Parvati as Nageshwari. Devotees believe that prayers at this shrine protect against poison of every kind, including snakebite.
| Temple hours | Dawn to dusk (confirm locally) |
| Season | All year |
| Best months | Oct – Mar |
| Good to know | Visit with the Dwarkadhish temple and Bet Dwarka on the same day. |
| Nearest airport | Jamnagar (about 130 km) |
| Nearest railway | Dwarka (about 18 km) |
Other traditions: Three sites claim the Nagesh(war) Jyotirlinga. Dwarka, Gujarat is the most widely accepted (Shiva Purana: Darukavana by the western sea) and is used for lat/lon here.
Timings as published by the temple or state tourism (checked 8 Oct 2026); they change on festivals — confirm before you go.
Rameshwaram रामेश्वरम्
Arulmigu Ramanathaswamy Temple, Rameswaram · Rameswaram (Pamban island), Ramanathapuram district
The Shiva Purana (Koti Rudra Samhita) says that Rama, camped on the southern shore before crossing to Lanka, shaped a linga and prayed to Shiva for victory. Shiva appeared, blessed him and, at Rama's request, stayed as Rameshwara, the Lord worshipped by Rama. A widely told temple tradition adds that after the war Rama wished to cleanse himself of having slain Ravana, a learned Brahmin. Hanuman was sent to Kailash for a linga but was delayed, so Sita fashioned one from sand, which Rama consecrated as the Ramalingam. To honour Hanuman's effort, Rama decreed that the Vishwalingam brought from Kailash be worshipped first, a custom still followed in the temple.
| Temple hours | 5 am – 1 pm and 3 pm – 9 pm |
| Season | All year |
| Best months | Oct – Apr |
| Good to know | Pilgrims bathe in the 22 theerthams (wells) inside the temple before darshan — carry a change of clothes. |
| Nearest airport | Madurai (about 175 km) |
| Nearest railway | Rameswaram (about 2 km) |
| Official site | rameswaramramanathar.hrce.tn.gov.in |
Timings as published by the temple or state tourism (checked 8 Oct 2026); they change on festivals — confirm before you go.
Grishneshwar घृष्णेश्वर
Shri Grishneshwar (Ghushmeshwar) Temple, Verul · Verul (Ellora), Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (formerly Aurangabad) district
The Shiva Purana (Koti Rudra Samhita) tells of the Brahmin Sudharma and his wife Sudeha, who had no children. Sudeha urged her husband to marry her younger sister Ghushma, a devoted worshipper who shaped and worshipped 101 clay lingas every day before immersing them in a nearby pond. Ghushma bore a son, and Sudeha's jealousy grew until she killed the young man and threw his body into the same pond. Ghushma calmly continued her worship, and by Shiva's grace her son came back to life. Shiva wished to punish Sudeha, but Ghushma begged him to forgive her sister and to stay at that spot for the good of all. He remained as Ghushmeshwar.
| Temple hours | 5:30 am – 9:30 pm |
| Aarti | 5:30 am, 12 noon, 7 pm, 9:30 pm |
| Season | All year |
| Best months | Jul – Mar |
| Good to know | It stands next to the Ellora Caves — plan them together. |
| Nearest airport | Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (about 30–37 km) |
| Nearest railway | Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (about 30 km) |
Timings as published by the temple or state tourism (checked 8 Oct 2026); they change on festivals — confirm before you go.
The verse that names all twelve
सौराष्ट्रे सोमनाथं च श्रीशैले मल्लिकार्जुनम् ।
उज्जयिन्यां महाकालम् ओंकारम् अमलेश्वरम् ॥
परल्यां वैद्यनाथं च डाकिन्यां भीमशंकरम् ।
सेतुबन्धे तु रामेशं नागेशं दारुकावने ॥
वाराणस्यां तु विश्वेशं त्र्यम्बकं गौतमीतटे ।
हिमालये तु केदारं घुश्मेशं च शिवालये ॥
Recited daily by devotees, the stotram lists the twelve in its own order: Somnath in Saurashtra, Mallikarjuna on Shrishaila, Mahakal in Ujjain, Omkareshwar (with Amaleshwar), Vaidyanath “at Parli”, Bhimashankar “in Dakini”, Rameshwaram at the Setu, Nageshwar in the Daruka forest, Vishwanath in Varanasi, Trimbakeshwar on the Gautami’s bank, Kedar in the Himalaya and Ghushmeshwar at Shivalaya. Chanting it, tradition says, washes away the sins of seven lifetimes.
Plan your 12 Jyotirlinga yatra with Suzu
We plan the circuit around you — the order, flights between regions, hotels near each temple, Bhasma Aarti and darshan bookings where they exist, and rest days for elders.
12 Jyotirlinga: questions people ask
What are the names of the 12 Jyotirlingas?
Somnath, Mallikarjuna, Mahakaleshwar, Omkareshwar, Kedarnath, Bhimashankar, Kashi Vishwanath, Trimbakeshwar, Vaidyanath, Nageshwar, Rameshwaram and Grishneshwar — the order of the Shiva Purana.
Which is the first Jyotirlinga?
Somnath, at Prabhas Patan on the Gujarat coast, is traditionally counted first. Its legend tells of the Moon (Soma), cursed to fade, who regained his light by worshipping Shiva here.
Which Jyotirlinga is the highest?
Kedarnath, at about 3,583 m in Uttarakhand’s Rudraprayag district. It is open only from late April or May to around Bhai Dooj in November, and is reached by a walk of about 16 km from Gaurikund, by pony or palki, or by helicopter.
Which Jyotirlingas are in Maharashtra?
Three by the most common list — Trimbakeshwar (Nashik), Bhimashankar (Pune district) and Grishneshwar (near Ellora). Other traditions add Parli Vaidyanath and Aundha Nagnath, which makes five.
Which Jyotirlinga is in South India?
Mallikarjuna at Srisailam (Andhra Pradesh) and Rameshwaram (Ramanathaswamy) in Tamil Nadu. Mallikarjuna is also a Shakti Peeth, as Bhramaramba Devi.
Can I visit all 12 Jyotirlingas in 15 days?
Only at a rush with several flights. A comfortable circuit takes 18–22 days because the temples are spread over seven states; we group them by region so you fly between groups and drive within them.
When is Mahashivratri 2027?
Saturday, 6 March 2027 — the busiest day at every Jyotirlinga, so book hotels and darshan passes early.
Is the Bhasma Aarti at Mahakaleshwar open to everyone?
Yes, with an advance booking through the temple. Since June 2026 one booking per mobile number is allowed every 90 days, and the aarti begins around 4 am.
More pilgrimage guides
Yatras & circuits
Sources
- Shree Somnath Trust – FAQs
- Shree Somnath Trust – Somnath Darshan
- Mallikarjuna Temple, Srisailam – Wikipedia
- Deccan Chronicle – Srisailam Temple Revises Darshan Timing (10 Dec 2024)
- MP Tourism – Bhasm Aarti at Mahakaleshwar
- Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga – Wikipedia
- Shri Omkareshwar Mandir Trust – Time Table
- Shri Omkareshwar Mandir Trust – FAQ
- BKTC – Shri Kedarnath Dham
- Kedarnath Temple – Wikipedia
- Bhimashankar Temple – Wikipedia
- Punekar News – Bhimashankar darshan resumes from June 15 (15 Jun 2026)
- Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple Trust – FAQ (PDF)
- Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple Trust – official site
- Shri Trimbakeshwar Devasthan Trust – home
- Shri Trimbakeshwar Devasthan Trust – Daily Programme
- Baidyanath Temple – Wikipedia
- Baba Baidyanath Dham – Temple Timings
- Incredible India – Nageshwar Jyotirlinga
- Nageshwar Jyotirlinga – Wikipedia
- Incredible India – Sri Ramanathaswamy Temple
- Ramanathaswamy Temple – Wikipedia
- Incredible India – Grishneshwar Temple
- Ghrishneshwar Temple – Wikipedia
Legends are retold in our own words from the Shiva Purana and temple traditions. The animations are original artwork by Suzu Travels.
