Jyotirlinga Shrines

Mahakaleshwar Temple

Location

Mahakaleshwar Temple, cited by the great poet Kalidasa in his works, is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas in India. The temple is a five-storied massive structure and its carved motives displays the Rajput style of architecture while screens and pavilions combined with marble colonnades reminds the influence of Mughal style. The deity here is called Dakshinamurtias since the idol is facing southwards.

Omkareshwar Temple

Location

A famous Shiva temple situated on the convergence of the rivers Narmada and Kaveri, Omkareshwar Temple is one of the holiest pilgrimage centers in Maheshwar.

Located in the sacred island called Mandhata or Shivapuri, this temple is one among the 12 sacred Jyothirlinga shrines of Lord Maheshwar. The island in which the holy shrine is placed is in the shape of the holiest Hindu Symbol 'Om', which itself add the sanctity of the temple. The name of the sacred shrine literally means ‘Om-maker-lord.’

Kashi Vishwanath Temple (Golden Temple)

Location

Kashi Vishwanath Temple or Golden Temple as it is also known, is one of the most important Hindu temples in India. The temple stands on the western bank of the holy river Ganges, and is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, the holiest of Shiva temples. Its gold towers gained it the name of Golden temple.

History

A Shiva temple has been mentioned in the Puranas including the Kashi Khanda (section) of Skanda Purana. In 490 AD, the Kashi Vishwanath Temple was built. In 11th century AD, Hari Chandra constructed a temple. Muhammad Ghori destroyed it along with other temples of Varanasi during his raid in 1194. Reconstruction of the temple started soon after. This was demolished by Qutb-ud-din Aibak. After Aibak's death the temple was again rebuilt by many Hindu emperors. In 1351 it was destroyed again by Firuz Shah Tughlaq. The temple was rebuilt in 1585 by Todar Mal, the revenue minister of Akbar's court. Aurangzeb ordered its demolition in 1669 and constructed Gyanvapi Mosque, which still exists alongside the temple. Traces of the old temple can be seen behind the mosque. It is said that the Shiv-Linga jumped into the well and the original Shiv-linga now resides there. The current temple was built by Ahilya Bai Holkar, the Hindu Maratha queen of Malwa kingdom, in 1780. The gold that covers the spires of the temple was a gift from the Sikh ruler of Punjab, Maharaja Ranjit Singh.

Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga Temple

Location

Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga temple is one of the 12 famous Jyotirlinga temple in India. It is a renowned Hindu pilgrim location. The Jyotirlinga in Trimbakeshwar is spectacular and unique with three faces embodying Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva. The Linga is crowned with a jewel studded crown believed to be from Pandavas. The crown is adorned with diamonds, emeralds, and many other types of precious stones.

Kedarnath Temple

Location

A temple believed to be constructed by Sankaracharya, Kedarnath temple at the Garhwal region of Himalayas gains great religious significance. This might be one among the unique temples that demands a tiring trek to have a darshan of the deity. Winter in this region is so severe that the temple remains closed during those months.

It is one of the twelve Jyothirlingas and is closely associated with Pandavas. It is believed that the Pandavas sought redemption from lord Shiva after the Kurukshethra war against their kith and kin. Reluctant to give pardon, Lord Shiva made himself hidden here in Kedarnath in shape of a bull.

Sri Ramanathaswamy Temple

Location

It is a beautiful temple in southern India which was created for worshipping lord Rama as Hindu mythology has a great history for the place and it has been a great pilgrim place for the people who have the wish for achieving salvation in life. There are seven such places in India where one would like to offer prayers for achieving salvation in life and Rameshwaram temple is one of those. Whole Ramayan has been conceived in this place and it has a great mythological importance.

Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga Temple

Location

Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga temple enshrines one of the most revered 12 Jyotirlingas in India. This lingam is also known as Kusumeswarar, Grushmeswara and Ghushmeswara, apart from Grishneswara. The temple was re-constructed in the 18th century by Ahilyabhai Holkar. The temple is constructed in red volcanic rocks and the appealing appearance of the temple is eye catching. The temple has a 5 tier Shikara, which is very attractive. Shikara is crowned with images of Bull and Monkeys.

Somnath Temple

Location

The temple of Somnath, 5 kms from Veraval is one of the twelve sacred Shiva shrines in India. According to the legend, Somnath was built by Som, the moon God and contains one of the twelve Jyotirlingas in India. Constantl washed by the Arabian Sea, the temples of Somnath were destroyed seve times but were rebuilt each time. The present temple Maha Meru Prasad was recently rebuilt on the exact location of the original shrine. Adjacent to this temple is the temple built by Ahalyabai Holkar of Indore.

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