Devotional representation of the Hindu deity Shiva From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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A Jyotirlinga (Sanskrit: ज्योतिर्लिङ्ग, romanized:Jyotirliṅga, lit.'lingam of light')[1] or Jyotirlingam is a devotional representation of the Hindu god Shiva. The word is a Sanskrit compound of jyotis ('radiance') and linga ('sign'). The Śiva Mahāpurāṇam (also Shiva Purana) mentions 64 original jyotirlinga shrines in India.
According to a Shiva legend from the Shiva Purana, once, Brahma (the god of creation) and Vishnu (the god of preservation) had an argument over their supremacy.[2] To settle the debate, Shiva pierced the three worlds, appearing as a huge, infinite pillar of light, the jyotirlinga. Brahma and Vishnu decided to ascend and descend across a pillar of light respectively, to find the end of the light in either direction. According to some iterations, Vishnu assumed his Varaha avatar to achieve this task, while Brahma rode a hamsa (swan).[3] Brahma lied that he had discovered the end of the light, producing a ketakī flower as proof, while Vishnu admitted that he could not find the end of the light from his journey.[4] The dishonesty of Brahma angered Shiva, causing him to curse the creator deity that he would not be worshipped; he also declared that Vishnu would be eternally worshipped for his honesty.[5] The jyotirlinga shrines are regarded to be the temples where Shiva appeared as a fiery column of light.[6][7]
History and Unique Significance
While the origin of the jyotirlinga as an infinite pillar of light is rooted in the Shiva Purana legend, each of the twelve sacred sites carries its own unique history and significance detailed in local traditions and other Puranic texts.
The Somnath Temple has a strong historical context, having been destroyed and reconstructed numerous times over centuries by invaders and rulers, symbolizing the resilient faith of the devotees.[8] Its mythological significance links it to the Moon God (Soma), who established the lingam to be cured of a curse.[9]
The Mallikārjuna shrine is unique as it is the only site where the Jyotirlinga (Shiva) and a Shakta Pitha (Parvati as Bhramaramba) are revered together, a significance tied to the story of Shiva and Parvati following their son, Kartikeya, to the mountain.[10]
Mahakaleshwar is particularly distinctive because the lingam is believed to be Swayambhu (self-manifested), and it is the only one of the twelve to face south, a direction associated with death and Shiva's role as Mahakaal (destroyer of time).[11] The Omkareshwar shrine is associated with the island's natural shape resembling the sacred syllable 'ॐ' (Om), and legends of Shiva manifesting to support the gods against demons or granting a boon to the Vindhya mountain.[12]
The Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi is considered exceptionally sacred, as devotees believe it is the only city that can never be destroyed, promising moksha (liberation) to anyone who dies there.[13] The temple has also faced historical destruction and rebuilding, with the current structure having been inaugurated in 1951.[14]
Original 64
Originally, there were believed to have been 64 jyotirlingas of which 12 are considered to be very auspicious and holy.[2] The twelve jyotirlinga sites take
the names of their respective presiding deity, and each is considered a different manifestation of Shiva.[15] At all these sites, the primary image is lingam, representing the beginningless and endless stambha (pillar), symbolising the infinite nature of Shiva.[15][16][17]
Sanskrit shlokas
The following shloka (द्वादश ज्योतिर्लिंग स्तोत्रम् Dvādaśa Jyotirliṅga Stotram) describes the 12 jyotirlingas:[18][19]
One who recites these jyotirlingas every evening and morning
सप्तजन्मकृतं पापं स्मरणेन विनश्यति॥
saptajanmakṛtaṃ pāpaṃ smaraṇena vinaśyati
is relieved of all sins committed in past seven lives.
एतेषां दर्शनादेव पातकं नैव तिष्ठति।
eteṣāṃ darśanādeva pātakaṃ naiva tiṣṭhati
One who visits these, gets all his wishes fulfilled
कर्मक्षयो भवेत्तस्य यस्य तुष्टो महेश्वराः॥:
karmakṣayo bhavettasya yasya tuṣṭo maheśvarāḥ
and one's karma gets eliminated as Maheshwara gets satisfied to the worship.
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Twelve most sacred sites
The names and the locations of 12 jyotirlingas are mentioned in the Shiva Purana (Śatarudra Saṁhitā, Ch.42/2-4). The detailed stories are given in Kotirudra Saṁhitā, chapters 14 to 33. These temples (not in order) are:
Somnath is traditionally considered the first pilgrimage site: the Dwadash (Twelve in Sanskrit language) Jyotirlinga pilgrimage begins with the Somnath Temple. The temple, that was destroyed and re-built sixteen times, is held in reverence throughout India and is rich in legend, tradition, and history. It is located at Prabhas Patan, Veraval in Saurashtra region of Gujarat state in western India.
Mallikārjuna, also called Śrīśaila, is located on a mountain in Kurnool District in Andhra Pradesh.[20] It enshrines Mallikarjuna in an ancient temple that is architecturally and sculpturally rich. It is a place where Shakta pitha and jyotirlingam are together.
Mahakal, Ujjain (or Avanti) in Madhya Pradesh is home to the Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga temple. The Lingam at Mahakal is believed to be Swayambhu, the only one of the 12 jyotirlingams to be so. It is also the only one facing south and also the temple to have a Shree Rudra Yantra perched upside down at the ceiling of the Garbhagriha (where the Shiv Lingam sits). It is a place where Shakta pitha and jyotirlingam are together.
Baidyanath Temple also known as Baba Baidyanath Dham, is a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva. It is located in Deoghar, in the Santhal Parganas division of the Indian state of Jharkhand. The temple complex comprises the central shrine of Baba Baidyanath along with 21 additional temples. It is significant to the Hindu sects of Shaivism as this temple is referred to as one of the twelve Jyotirlingas.
Bhimashankar temple is situated in Bhimashankar village of Maharashtra, where the Bhima river originates. The Bhimashankar forest is known as Dakini Vana.
Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu is home to the vast Ramalingeswara Jyotirlinga temple and is revered as the southernmost of the twelve jyotirlinga shrines of India. It enshrines the Rameśvara (God of Rama) pillar.[20] It is also one of the Padal petra stalam of Pandya Naadu mentioned in Tevaram.
Nageshwar Jyotirlinga is one of the 12 jyotirlinga shrines mentioned in the Shiva Purana and the Dvādaśa Jyotirliṅga Stotram, says one of the jyotirlinga namely Nagesh is situated in Daruka-Vana and most probably the present day Dwarka region. Other claims to the Nagesh Jyotirlinga status come from - Aundha Naganath (Hingoli District of Maharashtra) and Jageshwar (Almora District of Uttarakhand)
The Kashi Vishwanath (Vishweshwar) Temple in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh is home to the Vishwanath Jyotirlinga shrine, which is perhaps the most sacred of Hindu shrines. It is also one of the Padal petra stalam of Vada Naadu mentioned in Thevaaram. The temple is situated in Varanasi, the holiest city for Hindus, where a Hindu is expected to make a pilgrimage at least once in his life, and if possible, also pour the remains of cremated ancestors on the River Ganges. The temple stands on the western bank of the holy river Ganges, and is one of the twelve jyotirlingas. In fact, it is a place where Shakta pitha and jyotirlingam are together. It is the holiest of all Shiva temples. The main deity is known by the name Vishwanath or Vishweshwara meaning Ruler of the universe. The temple town, is considered the oldest living city in the world, with 3500 years of documented history, is also called Kashi.
Kedarnath in Uttarakhand is revered as the northernmost and the closest jyotirlinga to Lord Shiva's eternal abode of Mount Kailash. Kedarnath forms a part of the smaller Char Dham pilgrimage circuit of Hinduism. Kedarnath, nestled in the snow-clad Himalayas, is an ancient shrine, rich in legend and tradition. It is accessible only for six months a year. It is also one of the Paadal Petra Sthalam of Vada Naadu mentioned in Thevaaram. Shiva assumed the form of wild boar and dived into the earth at Kedarnath to emerge at Doleshwor in Kathmandu Valley, Nepal. Pure ghee is applied at Kedarnath lingam as the boar was injured.
Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga Temple, referred to as the Grishneshwar temple in Shiva Purana, is one of the 12 jyotirlinga shrines mentioned in the Shiva Purana. According to Shiv Puran, Grishneshwar is one of the Shiva Jyotirlinga which is situated near Ellora village, less than a kilometer from UNESCO site Ellora Caves in Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar District of Maharashtra.
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