Spiritual India

The 12 Jyotirlinga Temples of India

The twelve most sacred shrines of Shiva, and how to plan a circuit.

By the Itinerary Diary Travel Desk · Updated 13 July 2026
Ancient Shiva temple in India — 12 Jyotirlinga temples guide

Quick answer

The 12 Jyotirlingas are the most sacred shrines of Lord Shiva, spread across India — including Somnath and Nageshwar (Gujarat), Mahakaleshwar and Omkareshwar (MP), Kedarnath (Uttarakhand), Kashi Vishwanath (Varanasi), Rameshwaram (Tamil Nadu) and more. We plan circuits in comfortable stages. See our pilgrimage guide.

The 12 Jyotirlingas by state

JyotirlingaLocation
SomnathGujarat
NageshwarDwarka, Gujarat
MahakaleshwarUjjain, MP
OmkareshwarMP
KedarnathUttarakhand
Kashi VishwanathVaranasi, UP
BhimashankarMaharashtra
TrimbakeshwarNashik, Maharashtra
GrishneshwarMaharashtra
Vaidyanath (Baidyanath)Deoghar, Jharkhand
MallikarjunaSrisailam, Andhra Pradesh
RameshwaramTamil Nadu

Planning a Jyotirlinga circuit

Visiting all twelve is a major undertaking spanning the country; most pilgrims complete them in regional stages — for example the Maharashtra trio, or the Gujarat pair with Ujjain. We plan comfortable, respectful itineraries.

Combining with other sites

Kedarnath links to the Char Dham; Kashi Vishwanath to Varanasi; Rameshwaram to a southern temple circuit.

Frequently asked questions

They are the twelve most sacred Shiva shrines: Somnath, Nageshwar, Mahakaleshwar, Omkareshwar, Kedarnath, Kashi Vishwanath, Bhimashankar, Trimbakeshwar, Grishneshwar, Vaidyanath, Mallikarjuna and Rameshwaram.
It's possible but a major undertaking across the country; most pilgrims complete them in regional stages over multiple trips.
Three — Bhimashankar, Trimbakeshwar (Nashik) and Grishneshwar (near Ellora).
Yes — Kedarnath in Uttarakhand is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas and also part of the Char Dham Yatra.
In comfortable regional stages, combining nearby Jyotirlingas with other sacred sites; we design respectful, well-organised itineraries.
Kashi Vishwanath, on the banks of the Ganga in Varanasi, is one of the most revered Jyotirlingas.

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