DWADASHA (TWELVE) JYOTHIRLINGAM

Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwara are the trinity of Hindu Godhood representing, many temples were built for Vishnu for his ten incarnations, idols were worshipped. But Shiva is worshipped in the form of Lingam in Maheshwara (Shiva) temples Twelve Jyothirlingam are considered as sacred as it is believed that Shiva himself physically appeared before the original devotees who were responsible for installation of Jyothirlingam and continue to be present in those temples to bless the devotees. Word ‘Jyoti’ means light and ‘lingam’ means and represents Lord Shiva.
Lord Shiva’s abode is Kailash in Himalayas. Twelve temples of Jyothirlingam are spread all over India. In short, Jyotirlingam temples are located one in Uttaranchal (Kedarnath), one in Uttar Pradesh (Varanasi), two in Madhya Pradesh ( Ujjain & Omkar),two in Gujarat (Dwaraka & Samantha), four in Maharashtra (Bheemashankar, Tryanbakeshwar, Ghushmeshwar & Vaidyanath), one at Andhra Pradesh (Mallikarjuna-Srishaila) and one in Tamil Nadu (Rameshwar) In this article, the beginning is made from northeast part of India i.e. Kedarnath (Himalaya-Uttaranchal) and ending with Rameshwara (Tamil Nadu) which is in the southern end of India.

Kedareshwara temple at Kedarnath is on the banks of river Mandakini at Uttaranchal (formerly part of Uttar Pradesh.) Nara and Narayana, great sages are credited with physically bringing Shiva to Kedarnath for the benefit of humanity. This shrine represents the selfless contribution of the above two saints. Present temple was built by Adi Shankaracharya in 8th century. A conical rock formation is worshipped as Jyothirlingam. Kedarnath can be approached by foot which is about 14 km. From Gaurikund connected to Rishikesh and Hardwar.

Kashi Viswanth of Varanasi temple is on the banks of sacred river Ganga. It is believed that Lord Shiva represents both male and female (Ardhanarishwara) and the original male and female were born in Varanasi who prayed Lord Shiva to dwell in Varanasi as they did not have parents of their own. So called orphans prayers were answered by Lord Shiva by permanently making his abode at Varanasi. Every Hindu wants to visit Varanasi at least once in their life time which is the birth place of their original ancestors on the banks of sacred Ganga where Lord Shiva is residing for the benefit of his devotees.

Mahakaleshwar Temple is in the banks of river Shipra at Ujjain in the State of Madhya Pradesh. Ujjain in olden days was known for astrological studies and according to Indian astrological calculation both longitude and latitude are supposed pass Ujjain (which is equivalent to Greenwich). “Kala” means Time and Lords Shiva in Ujjain is known as Maha-Kala-Ishwar (Lord of Eternal Time). The temple of Mahakaleshwar was said to have been built on the spot where Lord Shiva had slain demon Dhooshan who was destroying His devotees.

Omkareshwar temple is in Omkar which is in island in the shape of an ‘OM’ (2 km x 1 km) on the river Narmada (between Indore and Kandwa) in Madhya Pradesh. It is believed that Vindya (Mountain) had the vanity of belief that it was the highest mountain on the earth which was corrected by sage Narada and crest fallen Vindya entered into penance of Lord Shiva who appeared before Vindya. However, Vindya , by now chastened, did not ask any favour for himself but prayed that Lord Shiva to be present at Omkar for the benefit of all his devotees.

Nageshwara temple at Dwaraka (Saurashtra-Gujarath) is on the sea shore. It is believed that one demon called Daruka who took pilgrims as prisoners was killed by a Lord Shiva devotee, Supriya, to release the pilgrims i.e. Lord Shiva’s devotees. To bless Supriya, Lord Shiva physically appeared an d Supriya prayed that Lord Shiva to reside at Dwaraka where a temple was built installing Jyothirlingam. We may recall Lord Krishna is associated with Dwaraka and the said Dwaraka is believed to have submerged on His leaving the mortal body.

Somanath temple is at Saurashtra (Gujarat). ‘Soma’ means moon and ‘Nath’ means lord (owner). It is believed that the Moon God had several wives and it is said that Moon God had discriminated between his wives by giving preferential treatment to Rohini. Daksha, enraged father of one of the wives with such behaviour cursed Moon God. To get over the curse, Moon God under took penance and Lord Shiva appeared before Moon God and freed from the curse. The place where Lord Shiva appeared before Moon God is Somanath where a temple was built as it is believed that Lord Shiva is physically present in the Jyothirlingam. Somanath temple was rebuilt several times after it was destroyed by several invaders from other countries.

Bheemashankar temple is on the banks of river Bema which is near Pune. It is believed that a demon known as Bheemasura, son of Kumbakarna (brother of Ravana) was killed by Lord Shiva to protect his devotees from the demon. Jyothirlingam Temple at Bheemeshwar is the symbol of destruction of evil and protection of devotees by Lord Shiva.

Tryambakeshwara temple is on the banks of river Godavari near Nasik in the State of Maharashtra. The Lord Shiva is worshipped as “Tryambakeshwara” with three faces. The Jyothirlingam has three faces. The background story is that sage Gautama and his wife Ahalya were falsely implicated to have killed a sacred cow and banished from their hermitage. Sage Gautama undertook penance and Lord Shiva pleased with the devotee appeared before sage Gautama. Sage Gautama instead of punishing his distracters asked Lord Shiva to forgive them and brought river Godavari to wash their sins. Lord Shiva was also requested to reside there as a Jyothirlingam for the benefit of the mankind. This holly place is known for forgiveness and cleansing of pilgrims’ sins.

Ghushmeshwar (Grishemeshwara) temple is near Aurangabad in Maharashtra. The name of a “Ghushmeshwar” comes from the name of a devotee called Ghushama, second wife of Sudharma. Sudharma’s first wife out of jealousy killed Ghushama’s son. Ghushma who was worshipping Shiva Lingam even after she was informed that her son was killed, continued her worship and immersed the Shiva Lingam in the lake. On Shiva Lingam being immersed, not only her son came to life but also Lord Shiva himself appeared to bless his devotee, Ghushama. Ghushama prayed Lord Shiva to forgive her sister who had killed her son but requested Lord Shiva be present there to bless his devotees. This Jyothirlingam temple is known for forgiveness of devotee and magnanimity of Lord Shiva who protects his devotees.

Vaidyanath Temple is in Parli, Bhir district in Maharashtra. Jyothirlingam of Vaidyanath was give by Lord Shiva to demon kind of Lanka with a condition that Jyothirlingam should not be kept on earth till it reaches Lanka. Ravana on his way to Lanka wanted to attend natural call and entrusted Jyotirlingam to cowboy at Parli who placed it on earth and it remained there itself. Vaidyanath temple reminds us that nothing should be obtained with violent methods and it is sacred because the same was given by Lord Shiva himself.

Mallikarjuna Temple at Shrishailam is in Andhra Pradesh. It is believed that Lord Karthikeya, the second son of Lord Shiva and Parvathi had perceived injustice and was angry with his parents in the matter of selection of his bride left Kailash to settle down at Shrishailam. Lord Shiva and Parvathi went in search of their son and found him in Shrishailam. It is believed that Lord Shiva visits Karthikeya at Shrishailam on New Moon Day and Parvathi on Full Moon Day. This shrine of Jyotirlingam temple reminds us the love of parents towards their children.

Rameshwaram Temple is on the banks Bay of Bengal in Tamil Nadu. It is believed that Lord Rama on his way to Lanka to free his consort Sita from the clutches of Ravana worshipped Lord Shiva for the success of his mission. Lord Shiva appeared to bless Lord Rama and the Shiva lingam which was worshipped by Lord Rama is considered as Jyothirlingam. In this holly temple both Lord Rama and Shiva are worshipped and considered as a holly place for devotees. Prayers at Rameshwaram cleanse the sins and pave way for success in life.
These Jyothirlingam temples were constructed on different times and it is amazing to note that all these temples were joined together as twelve sacred Jyothirlingam Shiva Temples at a time travelling was difficult proposition. There are claims by some other Shiva Temples at different places with similar names as one of the famous Jyothirlingam Temple which are not dealt here. Unfortunately, several of these Jyothirlingam Temples were destroyed/decayed in the passages of time which are not elaborated here. It is also heartening to note that each time, these temples were repaired/rebuilt to restore to their former glory. Rani Ahalayabai Holkar was credited with resorting/reconstructing Jyothirlingam Temples at Somanath, Varanashi (Kashi), Dwaraka, Rameshwaram etc. A comprehensive tour of all these sacred temples will not only take the pilgrims to religious places but also a tour of whole of India. Let us hope it will come in our way one day with the grace of Lord Shiva. *****