12 JYOTIRLINGAS IN INDIA – TEMPLES OF LORD SHIVA

12 Jyotirlingas in India – Temples of Lord Shiva

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Mahadev. Shiva. The Destroyer of Evil. Called by different names but ultimately the Supreme Being. Being a Hindu, most of the people come across the term “Jyotirlinga” quite a few times while growing up. Shiva’s Jyotirlinga is highly revered among the Hindus. A Jyotirlinga is a shrine where Lord Shiva is worshipped in the form of a Jyotirlingam. Now you would ask what a Jyotirlingam is? It is the radiant sign (phallus symbol) of The Almighty. There are 12 Jyotirlinga in India.

It is believed that Lord Shiva first manifested himself on Earth on the night of the Aridra Nakshatra, thus the special reverence for the Jyotirlinga. There is no unique appearance to mark the Jyotirlingas. Many people believe that you can see these lingas as columns of fire piercing through the earth after you reach a high level of spiritual attainment. Originally there were 64 Jyotirlingas out of which 12 are considered to be highly auspicious and holy.

The 12 Jyotirlingas sites in India take the name of the presiding deity. Each considered a different manifestation of Lord Shiva. The primary image as all these lingas is the “lingam” representing the beginning and end stambh pillar or the infinite nature of Lord Shiva.