Have you ever visited India’s 12 divine jyotirlingas? If not, then you must do these once in your life. The jyotirlingas are dedicated to Lord Shiva in his different forms. In this article, we will discuss the powerful 12 jyotirlinga mantras for followers. How these mantra chanting will affect one’s life and what are the benefits of it?
Before knowing the 12 jyotirlinga mantras, know about what is a jyotirlinga. This is a representation of lord shiva. It’s a Sanskrit word that means ‘Radiance’. The Shiv Purana described as many as 64 jyotirlingas. Out of these 12 are the mahajyotirlingas. And all of these legendary mantras are mentioned in the article.
What is a Jyotirlinga?
Lord Shiva called Mahadev the ‘destroyer of evil’. He has many names but ultimately Supreme being. Being a hindu, multiple devotees come around the term ‘Jyotirlinga’ quite a few times while growing up. The jyotirlingas are highly worshipped among the Hindus. This is a shrine where lord shiva is pleased in the form of jyotirlinga.
The form of the lord is a religious symbol of the supreme god Shiva. The word derives from the combination of Jyoti means light and lingam means icon or sign of Shiva. Shiv linga has three elements, the lowest is Brahma pitha, the middle one is Vishnu pitha and the uppermost is Lord Shiva himself.
These are Beginningless and Endless Pillars
Every of these sacred jyotirlinga destinations takes the name of the presiding deity, and all think of a different manifestation of shiva. On all sites, the primary image is lingam depicting the beginningless and endless Stambha pillar, representing the infinite nature of the deity.
Story Behind Jyotirlinga
According to this ancient scripture Shiv Purana, once lord Vishnu and lord Brahma fought over who was the supreme deity which turned into a heated argument. Lord Shiva then appeared to settle their dispute. He made an infinite pillar of light there. The pillar pierced all three worlds when it was presented. Lord Shiva gave them a task: to find the light first and become a supreme god.
But lord Vishnu is unable to find the end of the light, and lord Brahma lies that he found the light. Lord Shiva cursed him for this, making Lord Shiva angry. In his anger, he presented his infinite pillar of light on Earth in 64 places in the form of lingodbhava. Devotees primarily worship only 12 of these jyotirlingas.
These jyotirlingas are Swayambhu lingas meaning they appeared independently and were not engraved by humans. Legend has it that Lord Shiva first appeared in the jyotirlinga on the night of Ardra Nakshatra. A common man can only perceive and feel Lord Shiva’s presence through his luminous lights, which resemble fire rising from the earth, and only then can he consider himself closer to the Lord and closer to his spiritual attainment.
Powerful 12 Jyotirlinga Mantras and Place List
Each jyotirlinga is an auspicious shrine devoted to lord shiva and considered a manifestation of his divine light. See the list of 12 jyotirlinga names along with their powerful mantras.
1. Somnath (Gujarat)
The first jyotirlinga was established in Prabhas Patan near Veraval in Saurashtra, Gujarat. The temple rests on the western coast of Gujarat and overlooks the Arabian Sea. Among the 12 jyotirlinga shrines, devotees honor Lord Shiva in the form of a jyotirlinga, a divine and powerful symbol of the lord at this place. This is not only a religious place but also a sign of faith and resilience for hindu followers.
ॐ श्री सोमनाथाय नमः” (Om Shri Somnathaya Namah)
2. Mallikarjuna (Srisailam, Andhra pradesh)
The jyotirlinga called kashi of the south, is located on the Shri Shaila mountain. Devotees consider this the holiest shrine devoted to Lord Shiva. The temple sits on the banks of the Krishna River and the Nallamala hills cover it. Many legends are associated with this place, as people believe that Lord Shiva and Parvati once visited and settled there for a while. Devotees believe the lingam is self-manifested, making it a highly revered shrine for followers.
ॐ श्री मल्लिकार्जुनाय नमः” (Om Shri Mallikarjunaya Namah)
3. Mahakaleshwar (Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh)
On the banks of the Shipra River, Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga is located and dedicated to the unique idol of lord Shiva. The deity of temple lord Mahakaleshwar is considered the Swayambhu. Its architecture is mainly in the Bhumija style, with detailed designs and sculptures. Among other jyotirlingas, this is the only south-facing idol (dakshinamurti) of the lord.
ॐ श्री महाकालेश्वराय नमः” (Om Shri Mahakaleshwaraya Namah)
4. Omkareshwar (Madhya Pradesh)
On the banks of the Narmada River at Mandhata island, Omkareshwar is designed in the form of a hindu sign “ॐ”. The temple is considered the sacred abode of deity as it defines ‘Lord to Omkara’ as the sound of a sacred syllable. This is an auspicious place and many pilgrims visit it to achieve moksha. People can explore other temples as well, this is accessible by boars, a journey considered part of the pilgrimage experience.
ॐ श्री ओंकारेश्वराय नमः” (Om Shri Omkareshwaraya Namah)
5. Kedarnath (Uttarakhand)
The temple stands rooted in the Himalayas near the Mandakini River and is one of the Char Dhams. The place is located in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand. They established it at an altitude of 3583 meters above sea level. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, and the Pandavas from the Hindu epic Mahabharata developed it. People trek around 16 km from Gaurikund to reach the temple.
ॐ श्री केदारनाथाय नमः” (Om Shri Kedarnathaya Namah)
6. Bhimashankar (Maharashtra)
Devotees dedicate the Bhimashankar temple near Pune to Lord Shiva. The temple is known for its stunning architecture and surrounding natural beauty. The architecture of the temple reflects the Nagara style, and builders constructed it with black stone. It has a beautiful idol of deity along with Nandi, lord Hanuman, and goddess Parvati.
ॐ श्री भीमाशंकराय नमः (Om Shri Bhimashankaraya Namah)
7. Kashi Vishwanath (Uttar Pradesh)
In the state of Uttar Pradesh, the Kashi Vishwanath temple is one of the auspicious places in Hinduism. Devotees revere Lord Shiva in the form of jyotirlinga, and he holds immense spiritual importance for them.
ॐ श्री काशी विश्वनाथाय नमः”(Om Shri Kashi Vishwanathaya Namah)
8. Trimbakeshwar (Maharashtra)
The Godavari River rises at Trimbakeshwar, which is close to Nashik. This holy location is close to the Godavari River’s source, in the foothills of the Brahmagiri mountain. The temple’s architecture, which reflects its historical significance and the different dynasties that dominated the area, is a fusion of North Indian and South Indian styles.
ॐ श्री त्र्यंबकेश्वराय नमः”(Om Shri Trayambakeshwaraya Namah)
9. Vaidyanath (Deoghar, Jharkhand)
Vaidyanath temple has another name Vaijnath, located in Deoghar in the Santhal Parganas district of Jharkhand. This is the Dham of baba baidyanath. One of the 12 jyotirlingas, which are sacred shrines devoted to lord Shiva. People worship god here to seek blessings and fulfill their desires.
ॐ श्री वैद्यनाथाय नमः” (Om Shri Vaidyanathaya Namah)
10. Nageshwar (Dwarka, Gujarat)
The Jyotirlinga is rooted in Dwarka, where people call it the Nagnath temple. Devotees dedicate the sacred shrine to Lord Shiva, as it holds great importance for Hindus and attracts many pilgrims. To protect his devotees from the Daruka demon, lord shiva took the form of a jyotirlinga and defeated the demon.
ॐ श्री ज्योतिर्लिंगेश्वराय नमः”(Om Shri Jyotirlingeshwaraya Namah)
11. Rameshwar (Tamil Nadu)
Rameshwar temple located in the state of Tamil Nadu known for its long corridors and sacred ponds. Devotees dedicate it to the Hindu god Shiva, and it is one of the 12 jyotirlingas where people revere Shiva in the form of the jyotirlinga pillar of light. It has the longest corridor and believed visiting the temple and offerings will purify one’s bad sins and get salvation.
ॐ श्री रामेश्वराय नमः”(Om Shri Rameshwaraya Namah)
12. Grishneshwar (Ellora, Maharashtra)
In the Ellora caves, Grishneshwar is an ancient temple dedicated to lord Shiva. One of the 12 jyotirlingas is the sacred shrine, a UNESCO world heritage site revered for its ancient rock-cut temple. It is believed to be the last or 12th Jyotirlinga on earth.
ॐ श्री गृष्णेश्वराय नमः” (Om Shri Grishneshwaraya Namah)
Conclusion
People say that these powerful 12 jyotirlinga mantras bless those who recite them with complete dedication and devotion. Lord Shiva appeared at every place, and thus, devotees consider these places sacred.
Devotees seek Lord Shiva’s blessings and favor by reciting this mantra, especially through the revered Jyotirlingas, which are manifestations of his heavenly light (Jyoti) all over India. Pilgrims believe that through dedication and prayer, they can forgive their sins and realize their dreams at these twelve Jyotirlingas, which people revere as pilgrimage locations with immense spiritual importance.