12 Jyotirlingas
The twelve Jyotirlingas are shrines where Shiva is worshipped as a jyotirlinga, a self-manifested column of light, rather than an installed image. Tradition places them across the length of India, from Somnath on the Gujarat coast to Kedarnath high in the Himalayas, and a pilgrim who visits all twelve completes one of Shaivism's oldest circuits.
16 temples in this dataset mention this circuit.
Frequently asked questions about 12 Jyotirlingas
What is 12 Jyotirlingas?
The twelve Jyotirlingas are shrines where Shiva is worshipped as a jyotirlinga, a self-manifested column of light, rather than an installed image. Tradition places them across the length of India, from Somnath on the Gujarat coast to Kedarnath high in the Himalayas, and a pilgrim who visits all twelve completes one of Shaivism's oldest circuits.
How many 12 Jyotirlingas temples are listed in this dataset?
16 at the time this page was generated: Sri Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple, Srisailam, Shree Somnath Jyotirlinga Temple, Nageshwar Jyotirlinga Temple, Baijnath Temple, Baidyanath Temple (Baba Dham), Mahakaleshwar Temple, Harsiddhi Mata Mandir, Omkareshwar Temple, Trimbakeshwar Shiva Temple, Bhimashankar Temple, Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga Temple, Siddhesvara Dham (Solophok Char Dham), Ramanathaswamy Temple, Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Kedarnath Temple, Tarakeswar Temple.
Which states are represented?
Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, West Bengal
Are the temples listed here open every day?
Most are, but a few, especially high-altitude shrines such as those in the Char Dham, open only for a defined pilgrimage season each year. Check each temple's own page for its specific schedule.
Do darshan hours differ between these temples?
Yes, considerably. Each temple sets its own hours; there is no single shared schedule across a circuit.
Is completing this circuit a formal religious requirement?
Traditions vary; for most of these circuits, visiting all member sites is a devotional custom rather than a strict requirement, though some pilgrims treat it as such.
What is the best order to visit these temples in?
This dataset doesn't prescribe a route. Most pilgrims plan by geography and season rather than a fixed sequence; each temple's own page includes how-to-reach details to help with logistics.
Will festival dates affect a visit to these temples?
Yes. Several of these sites see their heaviest crowds and most extended hours during specific annual festivals, noted on each temple's page.
Are entry fees charged at these temples?
Most offer free general darshan with an optional paid special-darshan queue; a few charge a standard entry ticket. See each temple's own page for specifics.
How was this list put together?
By matching each temple's recorded name, history, significance and festival details against this circuit's defining criteria. See the About page for the full sourcing methodology.