Siva, enshrined in 12 temples

There are 12 Houses for Siva, spreading from Kanyakumari to Kashmir. All those abodes of Siva are called 'Jyotirlingas' or Lingams of Light. The Indian culture and the traditions held Siva in the the highest esteem since time immemorial.

According to a legend in Siva Puranam, an interesting story goes like this. Brahma and Vishnu had an argument on the subject of Supremacy. Siva who was there wanted to test them and made all the three worlds that is Heaven, earth and Patala, (Underworld) in to a huge pillar of light. The specialty of this pillar was it hasn't got neither the beginning or an ending. Siva asked both Brahma and Vishnu to find out the beginning and end of the Pillar of light which is nothing but Jyotirlingam..

Brahma and Vishnu went on in two different directions to find out the beginning and ending of the Jyotirlingam.After returning Brahma said that he could find the beginning which was a lie. Where as Vishnu admitted his inability to find the ending of Jyotirlingam.

Siva cursed Brahma that on earth there will not be any place of worship for him and Vishnu was blessed with the gift of being worshipped in all the places.

This is the reason  we see Siva in all the Twelve Jyotirlinga temples spread all over India in the form of a fiery pillar of light.

The Dwadasa Pilgrimage starts from SOMNATH TEMPLE from Gujarat. The temple Somnath occupies the pride of place among all the Jyotirlinga temples as it is considered as the holiest because it has survived many number of assaults by the Muslim aggressors from time to time in history. Through out India, people revere it withn utmost respect for its many splendored history, rich and colourful tradition and an amazing legend.

According to Skanda Purana, Siva at Somnath was known by many names. Mrityunjaya and Bhairavanatha are some of the names with which Siva at Somnath was known.

The 12 Abodes of Siva

Somnath in Gujarat

Siva, here is referred as Somanatha. Somanatha means Moon. Somanatha is situated on the South coast of Saurashtra. According to alegend Bhaivanatha Sivalinga at Prabhasa was worshipped by the moon. Hence the name Somanatha to Siva.Al Biruni an Arab traveller was so much dazzled by the glory and wealth of Somnath, he chronicled all his impressions in his travelogue. Seeing these writings of Al Biruni, Mahmud of Ghazni invaded and ransacked Somnath temple in the year1025. But it was brought back to its original shape and form by King Bhima and King Bhoja. This was the starting of the invasions and plundering of Somanatha temple by a bevy of foreign invaders. And the last invader was Aurangazeb in the year 1701.Every time it was destroyed, invaded and plundered Somanatha was rebuilt with the same speed as it was destroyed.

In the year 1783, Rani Ahilyabhai built a new temple in he nearby surroundings.

Mallikarjuna in Andhra Pradesh

Srisailam situated in Nallamala hills of Karnool district, Andhra Pradesht is on the banks of River Krishna. The presiding deities are Mallikarjuna and Bhramaramba. The temple's walls are replete with the best works of architecture.Adi Sankaracharya visited this temple and according to the legend  it was here that Adi Sankaracharya has composed his famous Sivananda Lahari. Durga is said tio have taken the shape of a bee and worshipped siva. Durga has chosen to stay here to worship Siva.

Mahakaleswar in Madhya Pradesh

The siva linga at Mahakaleswar, Madhya Pradesh is the only Jyotirlinga temple which is Swayambhu. Swayambhu means , "that which is formed naturally on its own."Ujjain, MadhyaPradesh enshrines Mahakaleswara temple. It is located near a lake. The temple has five stories. One of the five levels is in the underground.

A unique feature of Mahakaleswar temple is it faces south. Owing to this reson the idol is known as Dakshinamurthy. According to a legend when the people of Avanti were tormented by a Demon known as Dushana, Siva came out of the ground and annihilated the demon..The people who were joyed at the death of the demon  requested Siva to stay away in Avanti.Siva  obliged the people and stayed away at Avanti. Thus Mahakaleswari temple came into existence.

Omkareshwar also in Madhya Pradesh

An island in the Narmada River in the state of Madhya Pradesh enshrines Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga temple.It is located on a hill by the name Mandhata. According to a legend, the Devas requested Siva leading to a split in the Sivalinga. One half is known as Omkareshwara and the other is known as Amareshwara. King Mandhata of Ikswaku dynasty is said to have worship Siva here. The Guru of Adi Sankaracharya, Govinda Bhagavatpada is said to have lived in a cave here.

Kedarnath in Himalayas

The Northernmost Jyotirlinga temple was located in Kedarnath. Kedarnath is situated in the snow clad Himalayas in Uttarakhand. If Kedarnath is the northernmost Jyotirlinga temple, Ramaswaram is then southernmost Jyotirlinga temple. Kedarnath is located in the Himalayas at an altitude of 12000 feet.The surroudings are awesome and breath taking. This is a small temple compared to other Jyotirlinga temples. There s no transport facility for the devotees to reach Kedarnath. One can reach by foot only. And, its open only for Six months in an year. According to a legend Nara and Narayana, two incarntions of Vishnu undertook a penance in Badrikashramam in front of a Sivalingam shaped out of earth. When a pleased Siva appeared before Nara and Narayana, they requested Siva to take a permanent abode in Kedarnath. Thus the Kedarnath Jyotirlingam has come in to existence.

Bhimashankar in Maharashtra

Bhimashankar, the Jyotirlinga temple is located in a village called Bhavagiri 50 km north west of Khed near Pune. Bhimashankara Jyotirlinga temple is located in Sahyadri hills. This temple s very much debated. According to Shiva Purana, the Bhimashankar temple near Guwhati is the Jotirlinga temple.According to Linga Purana,Bhimashankar temple near Gunupur of Rayagada district in Southern orissa state is also known as Bhimashankara Jyotirlinga temple.

Viswanath, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh

Kashi Vishwanath temple in Varanasi doesnt need an introduction. It is considered as the most sacred Jyotirlinga temple of all the 12 Jyotirlinga temples. Varanasi has derived its name because of its location at the confluence of two rivers,Varana and Asi.The name of Varanasi has ben mentioned many times in Brahmanas, Upanishads, Puranas and Kavyas.Varanasi's rich tradition is peerless. Varanasi as a well known learning center since time immemorial.Varanasi temple also has become a victim of  desecrations on several occasions. At the same time rebuilding also took place. The last rebuilding was taken up by Rani Ahilyabhai. This structure has become a ceter of attraction to lakhs of pilgrims who come to witness the Abhishekam to Jyotirlingam with the sacred waters of Ganges.

Triambakeshwar in Maharashtra

This temple in Maharashtra is famous on two counts. Its a jyotirlinga temple and is linked with the  birth of the dacred river Godavari. Triambakeshwar temple is located in the town of Triambak. Triambak is 28 km away from Nasik in the state of Maharashtra. Triambakeshwar is located at the source of Gidavari river which is considered as sacred to all Hindus.River Godavari which originates in Brahmagiri mountains, merges in the sea near Rajamundry, Andhra Pradesh. Peswa Balaji Baji Rao (Nanasaheb) has rebuilt the present temple. Triambakeshwar had a good patronage of Peshwas. The temple of Triambakeshwar has references in Padma Purana.

Vaidyanath, Parali, Maharashtra

Parali Village is located on the slopes of Meru also known as Naganarayana moumtain. In a place where the confluence of rivers Brahma, Venu and Saraswati takes place, the village Parali is located. Parali is also known with the names Kantipur, Madhyarekha, Vyjayanti or Jayanti

Nageshwar, Dwarka in Gujrat

Nageshwar, Jyotirlinga temple is located on the route of Dwarka and Bet Dwarka, on the coast of Saurashtra, Gujrat.Legend has it yjat a devotee called Suypriya was attacked and imprisoned by a demon named Daaruka in his capital Daarukavana. Siva assaulted Daaruka in the shape of Jyoytirlinga and eradicated the Demon Daaruka using his powerful Paasupatastram. This Manifestation of Siva with which he has destryed Daaruka has become famous as Nageswar Jyotirlinga.

 Grisneshwar, Aurangabad,Maharashtra

Located at a custabce of 11 km from Daulatabad near Aurangabad of Maharashtra state. Daulatabad , erstwhile Devagiri, located in the close proximity of the world famous tourist havens Ellora and Ajanta caves. Ellora caves while they are well known for rock c ut monuments from the first Millennium C.E, Ajanta caves are well known for their enchanting murals painted on the walls of the cave.

According to a legend, a devotee of Siva named Kusuma , used to perform puja, in which immersion of a Sivalinga in a tank used to be a regular feature. This ritual made her famous through out the region. This was not liked by the first wife of Kusuma's husband. Out of jealousy and hatred, the first wife murdered Kusuma's son. But this didn't deter the aggrieved Kusuma. She continued her Sivalinga immersion the very next day of her Son's brutal nurder.

To every body's astonishment her son came alive and stood before Kusuma. Since then, Siva is believed to have been worshipped as the Jyotirlinga Ghusmeshwar.

Rameswar at Rameswaram, Tamilnadu

If Somnath temple is the Northernmost Jyotirlinga temple,Rameswar at Rameswaram, in the state of Tamilnadu is the southernmost Jyotirlinga temple.

Rameswaram Jyotirlinga temple is being held in high esteem in par with Varanasi for its holiness, heritage and antiquity. Rameswaram's Jyotirlinga temple is closely associated with Ramayanam

Rameswaram temple is well known for its architectural excellence. The Teerthams or water springs are believed to have miraculous medicinal properties. There are 36 Teerthams in Rameswaram. Out of these 36, 22 Teerthams are in the Rameswaram temple.

Photos : Wikimedia Commons