The 12 Jyotirlingas are the most sacred shrines of Lord Shiva in India, where he is worshipped in the form of a "Jyotirlinga" or "pillar of light." Spread across seven Indian states, these twelve temples are Somnath, Mallikarjuna, Mahakaleshwar, Omkareshwar, Kedarnath, Bhimashankar, Kashi Vishwanath, Trimbakeshwar, Vaidyanath, Nageshwar, Rameshwaram, and Grishneshwar. Completing the darshan of all 12 Jyotirlingas is considered one of the holiest pilgrimages in Hinduism.
Whether you are planning to visit all twelve in one grand yatra or exploring them region by region, this complete guide covers everything: the full list with locations, the significance of each temple, the best time to visit, detailed tour packages, and costs. At Root Indians, we have organised spiritual tour packages across India for over 25 years, and we share proven expertise here to help you plan a smooth, meaningful pilgrimage.
What Are the 12 Jyotirlingas?
The word "Jyotirlinga" comes from two Sanskrit words: "Jyoti" meaning light and "linga" meaning the mark or symbol of Lord Shiva. Together, a Jyotirlinga represents the radiant, infinite nature of Shiva as a pillar of light with no beginning or end.
According to the Shiva Purana, there were originally 64 Jyotirlingas, of which 12 are considered the most sacred and auspicious. Each of these twelve sites is associated with a unique legend and represents a different manifestation of Lord Shiva. Devotees believe that visiting all 12 Jyotirlingas washes away sins and grants spiritual liberation (moksha).
The concept of the Jyotirlinga is detailed in ancient Hindu scriptures. You can read more about their scriptural origins on the Wikipedia page for Jyotirlinga
Complete List of 12 Jyotirlingas with Locations
Here is the complete list of all 12 Jyotirlingas with their locations across India. This table is the quickest reference for planning your yatra route.
| No. | Jyotirlinga | Location | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Somnath | Prabhas Patan, Veraval | Gujarat |
| 2 | Mallikarjuna | Srisailam | Andhra Pradesh |
| 3 | Mahakaleshwar | Ujjain | Madhya Pradesh |
| 4 | Omkareshwar | Khandwa | Madhya Pradesh |
| 5 | Kedarnath | Kedarnath | Uttarakhand |
| 6 | Bhimashankar | Pune District | Maharashtra |
| 7 | Kashi Vishwanath | Varanasi | Uttar Pradesh |
| 8 | Trimbakeshwar | Nashik | Maharashtra |
| 9 | Vaidyanath | Deoghar | Jharkhand |
| 10 | Nageshwar | Dwarka | Gujarat |
| 11 | Rameshwaram | Rameswaram Island | Tamil Nadu |
| 12 | Grishneshwar | Ellora, Aurangabad | Maharashtra |
Geographic spread: The 12 Jyotirlingas are spread across 7 states. Maharashtra has the most (3: Bhimashankar, Trimbakeshwar, Grishneshwar), followed by Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh (2 each).
The 12 Jyotirlingas: Detailed Guide
Below is a detailed guide to each of the 12 Jyotirlingas, including their significance, location details, and darshan tips.
1. Somnath Jyotirlinga, Gujarat
Somnath is the first among the 12 Jyotirlingas and one of the most revered. Located on the western coast in Prabhas Patan near Veraval, Gujarat, this temple has been destroyed and rebuilt several times through history, symbolising resilience and faith.
Key details:
• Significance: The first Jyotirlinga, mentioned in the Rig Veda
• Nearest city: Veraval (7 km), Junagadh (85 km)
• Nearest airport: Diu (63 km), Rajkot (190 km)
• Best time: October to March
• Darshan timing: 6 AM to 9 PM
• Special: Evening light and sound show narrating temple history
2. Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga, Andhra Pradesh
Mallikarjuna is located at Srisailam on the banks of the Krishna River in Andhra Pradesh. This Jyotirlinga is unique because it is also one of the 18 Shakti Peethas, making it doubly sacred as both a Shiva and Shakti site.
Key details:
• Significance: Both a Jyotirlinga and a Shakti Peetha
• Location: Srisailam, Nallamala Hills
• Nearest city: Hyderabad (213 km)
• Best time: October to February
• Darshan timing: 4:30 AM to 10 PM
• Special: Set amid dense forest and hills
3. Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga, Madhya Pradesh
Mahakaleshwar in Ujjain is one of the most famous Jyotirlingas, known for its Bhasma Aarti performed with sacred ash at dawn. It is the only Jyotirlinga facing south (Dakshinamukhi), which is considered especially powerful.
Key details:
• Location: Ujjain, on the Rudra Sagar Lake
• Nearest city: Indore (55 km)
• Best time: October to March, and during Mahashivratri
• Darshan timing: 4 AM to 11 PM
• Special: Bhasma Aarti at 4 AM (advance booking required)
4. Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga, Madhya Pradesh
Omkareshwar sits on an island shaped like the sacred "Om" symbol in the Narmada River. This peaceful Jyotirlinga in Khandwa district is often combined with Mahakaleshwar in Ujjain for a two-temple Madhya Pradesh circuit.
Key details:
• Significance: Island shaped like the Om symbol
• Location: Mandhata island, Narmada River
• Nearest city: Indore (77 km)
• Best time: October to March
• Darshan timing: 5 AM to 10 PM
• Special: Boat ride to the island temple
5. Kedarnath Jyotirlinga, Uttarakhand
Kedarnath is the highest of the 12 Jyotirlingas at 3,583 metres in the Himalayas. It is also one of the four Char Dham sites. The temple is only accessible from April/May to October/November due to heavy snow, and requires a 16 km trek (or helicopter) from Gaurikund.
Since Kedarnath is part of the Char Dham circuit, many pilgrims combine it with our Char Dham Yatra packages
Key details:
• Significance: Highest Jyotirlinga, part of Char Dham
• Location: Kedarnath, Rudraprayag district
• Access: 16 km trek from Gaurikund, or helicopter
• Best time: May to June, September to October
• Closed: November to April (snow)
• Special: Combine with Char Dham Yatra
6. Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga, Maharashtra
Bhimashankar is nestled in the Sahyadri hills of the Western Ghats near Pune. Surrounded by a wildlife sanctuary, it is one of the three Maharashtra Jyotirlingas and the source of the Bhima River.
Since Kedarnath is part of the Char Dham circuit, many pilgrims combine it with our Char Dham Yatra packages.
Key details:
• Significance: Source of the Bhima River
• Location: Bhorgiri, Pune district
• Nearest city: Pune (110 km)
• Best time: August to February
• Darshan timing: 4:30 AM to 9:30 PM
• Special: Surrounded by Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary
7. Kashi Vishwanath Jyotirlinga, Uttar Pradesh
Kashi Vishwanath in Varanasi is perhaps the most famous Jyotirlinga, located in the spiritual capital of India on the banks of the Ganges. The recently built Kashi Vishwanath Corridor has made access easier for millions of pilgrims.
Key details:
• Significance: In Varanasi, the spiritual capital of India
• Location: Vishwanath Gali, Varanasi
• Nearest airport: Varanasi (25 km)
• Best time: October to March
• Darshan timing: 3 AM to 11 PM
• Special: Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat every evening
Varanasi is also a highlight of many North India spiritual circuits. For the official temple information, visit the Kashi Vishwanath Temple official website
8. Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga, Maharashtra
Trimbakeshwar near Nashik is the source of the Godavari River, India's second-longest river. This Jyotirlinga is unique for having three faces representing Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. It is an important site for Kumbh Mela.
Key details:
• Significance: Source of Godavari River, three-faced linga
• Location: Trimbak, Nashik district
• Nearest city: Nashik (28 km)
• Best time: October to March
• Darshan timing: 5:30 AM to 9 PM
• Special: Kumbh Mela site, Kalsarpa Puja performed here
9. Vaidyanath Jyotirlinga, Jharkhand
Vaidyanath (also called Baidyanath) is located in Deoghar, Jharkhand. Known as the "healer" Jyotirlinga, it is believed to cure ailments. During the Shravan month, millions of Kanwariyas walk here carrying holy Ganga water.
Key details:
• Significance: The healer Jyotirlinga
• Location: Deoghar, Jharkhand
• Nearest city: Deoghar (2 km), Jasidih junction (10 km)
• Best time: October to March, and Shravan month
• Darshan timing: 4 AM to 9 PM
• Special: Shravani Mela draws millions of Kanwariyas
10. Nageshwar Jyotirlinga, Gujarat
Nageshwar is located near Dwarka in Gujarat and is dedicated to Shiva as the "Lord of Snakes." It is easily combined with a visit to the Dwarkadhish Temple (one of the Char Dham), making it a popular Gujarat pilgrimage stop.
Key details:
• Significance: Lord of Snakes, near Dwarka
• Location: Between Dwarka and Bet Dwarka
• Nearest city: Dwarka (17 km)
• Best time: October to March
• Darshan timing: 6 AM to 9 PM
• Special: Combine with Dwarkadhish Temple
11. Rameshwaram Jyotirlinga, Tamil Nadu
Rameshwaram (Ramanathaswamy Temple) is on an island in Tamil Nadu, connected to the mainland by the Pamban bridge. Associated with Lord Rama, it is both a Jyotirlinga and one of the Char Dham. It has the longest temple corridor in India.
Key details:
• Significance: Both a Jyotirlinga and a Char Dham site
• Location: Rameswaram Island, Tamil Nadu
• Nearest airport: Madurai (170 km)
• Best time: October to April
• Darshan timing: 5 AM to 9 PM
• Special: 22 sacred wells (theerthams), longest temple corridor
12. Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga, Maharashtra
Grishneshwar near Ellora in Aurangabad is the twelfth and last Jyotirlinga. Located close to the UNESCO World Heritage Ellora Caves, it is often the final stop on a complete Jyotirlinga yatra and can be combined with sightseeing.
Key details:
• Significance: The twelfth and final Jyotirlinga
• Location: Verul village, near Ellora, Aurangabad
• Nearest city: Aurangabad (30 km)
• Best time: October to March
• Darshan timing: 5:30 AM to 9:30 PM
• Special: Near the UNESCO Ellora Caves
The three Maharashtra Jyotirlingas (Bhimashankar, Trimbakeshwar, Grishneshwar) are often covered together. See our 3 Jyotirlinga Maharashtra tour for a focused Maharashtra circuit.
12 Jyotirlinga Tour Packages
Visiting all 12 Jyotirlingas requires careful planning because they are spread across 7 states. Here are the most practical tour options, from focused regional circuits to a complete pilgrimage.
North India Jyotirlinga Tour (7 Days)
Covers the northern Jyotirlingas and is ideal for those starting from Delhi.
Route: Delhi - Kedarnath - Kashi Vishwanath (Varanasi) - Vaidyanath (Deoghar) - Delhi
• Duration: 7 days, 6 nights
• Jyotirlingas covered: 3 (Kedarnath, Kashi Vishwanath, Vaidyanath)
• Starting price: Rs 28,000 per person
• Includes: Hotels, meals, transport, guide, darshan assistance
• Best for: North India pilgrims, Char Dham combination
Complete 12 Jyotirlinga Tour (18 Days)
The full pilgrimage covering all twelve Jyotirlingas across India in one comprehensive journey.
Route: Covers all 7 states in a planned sequence to minimise backtracking
• Duration: 18 days, 17 nights
• Jyotirlingas covered: All 12
• Starting price: Rs 85,000 per person
• Includes: All accommodation, meals, AC transport, guide, all darshan
• Best for: Devotees wanting to complete the full yatra
Maharashtra 5 Jyotirlinga Tour (6 Days)
A focused circuit covering the Maharashtra Jyotirlingas plus nearby ones, ideal for western India pilgrims.
Route: Bhimashankar - Trimbakeshwar - Grishneshwar - Aundha Nagnath (plus Ellora Caves)
• Duration: 6 days, 5 nights
• Jyotirlingas covered: 3 primary Maharashtra Jyotirlingas
• Starting price: Rs 22,000 per person
• Includes: Hotels, meals, transport, guide, Ellora Caves visit
• Best for: Maharashtra and western India pilgrims
For a detailed look at the Maharashtra circuit specifically, read our Maharashtra 3 Jyotirlinga tour guide with day-by-day itinerary.
12 Jyotirlinga Tour Cost
The cost of a Jyotirlinga tour depends on the number of temples, duration, and comfort level. Here is a realistic per-person cost breakdown for 2026.
| Tour Type | Duration | Jyotirlingas | Price (per person) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maharashtra Circuit | 6 Days | 3 | ₹22,000 |
| North India Circuit | 7 Days | 3 | ₹28,000 |
| South India Circuit | 8 Days | 3 | ₹32,000 |
| Complete 12 Jyotirlinga | 18 Days | 12 | ₹85,000 |
What is included in these prices:
• Accommodation (dharamshala to 3-star hotels based on package)
• All meals (pure vegetarian)
• AC transport between temples
• Experienced pilgrimage guide
• Darshan assistance and queue management
• All applicable taxes
For general tips on keeping pilgrimage costs down, see our budget travel India guide
Best Time to Visit the Jyotirlingas
The best overall time for a 12 Jyotirlinga yatra is October to March, when weather across most of India is pleasant. However, some temples have specific considerations:
Kedarnath: Open only May-June and September-October. Closed November-April due to snow. This is the main constraint for a full 12 Jyotirlinga tour.
Rameshwaram: October to April is ideal. Avoid the summer heat of May-June.
Kashi Vishwanath: October to March. Avoid summer; Ganga Aarti is pleasant in cooler months.
Maharashtra temples: August to February. Post-monsoon greenery around Bhimashankar is beautiful.
Mahashivratri: All Jyotirlingas see massive crowds during Mahashivratri (February/March). Spiritually powerful but expect long queues.
Planning tip: Because Kedarnath is only open for about 6 months, a complete 12 Jyotirlinga tour is best done between September and October, when Kedarnath is still accessible and the rest of India has good weather.
How to Plan Your Jyotirlinga Yatra
Planning a Jyotirlinga pilgrimage requires thought because of the geographic spread. Here are practical tips:
• Decide full vs regional: Completing all 12 takes 16-18 days. Many pilgrims do it in regional stages over multiple trips.
• Group the temples by region: North (Kedarnath, Kashi, Vaidyanath), West (Somnath, Nageshwar, Bhimashankar, Trimbakeshwar, Grishneshwar), Central (Mahakaleshwar, Omkareshwar), South (Mallikarjuna, Rameshwaram).
• Book Bhasma Aarti in advance: The Mahakaleshwar Bhasma Aarti requires advance booking.
• Time Kedarnath carefully: Plan the full tour for September-October so Kedarnath is open.
• Carry comfortable footwear: Kedarnath involves a 16 km trek unless you take a helicopter.
• Respect dress codes: Traditional modest clothing is expected at all temples.
• Keep cash: Many temple towns have limited card acceptance.
• Consider a guided package: The logistics of covering 7 states are complex; a managed tour removes the stress.
For local temple transfers and darshan trips, our cab services cover major pilgrimage routes including Delhi to Khatu Shyam and Salasar Balaji.
For official travel information on India's pilgrimage destinations, refer to the Incredible India tourism portal
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days are needed to visit all 12 Jyotirlingas?
Which is the first Jyotirlinga among the 12?
What is the cost of a 12 Jyotirlinga tour?
Which Jyotirlinga is the most difficult to reach?
Can I visit all 12 Jyotirlingas in one trip?
Which state has the most Jyotirlingas?
What is the best time for a Jyotirlinga yatra?
Are Kedarnath and Rameshwaram both Jyotirlingas and Char Dham?
For foreign devotees, note that a valid Indian visa is required. Apply through the official Indian e-Visa portal
Book Your Jyotirlinga Tour with Root Indians
A Jyotirlinga yatra is one of the most meaningful journeys a devotee can undertake. From the coastal shrine of Somnath to the Himalayan heights of Kedarnath, each temple offers a unique spiritual experience. But the logistics of covering seven states, timing Kedarnath's seasonal access, and managing darshan queues can be overwhelming to plan alone.
At Root Indians, we handle every detail of your Jyotirlinga tour package with 25+ years of experience organising spiritual journeys across India. From regional Maharashtra circuits to the complete 12 Jyotirlinga yatra, we take care of transport, accommodation, meals, darshan assistance, and experienced guides so you can focus entirely on your pilgrimage.
Why choose Root Indians for your Jyotirlinga yatra:
• 25+ years organising spiritual tours across India
• Experienced guides who understand temple rituals and customs
• Darshan assistance and VIP queue management where available
• Pure vegetarian meals throughout
• Comfortable AC transport between temples
• Flexible packages from regional circuits to the complete 12 Jyotirlinga tour
• 24/7 support during your pilgrimage
Planning to combine Kedarnath with the full Himalayan pilgrimage? Read our Char Dham Yatra guide for the complete Uttarakhand circuit.
Ready to begin your sacred journey? Contact Us today to plan Jyotirlinga tour customised to your dates, budget, and the temples you wish to visit. Call 78777-38437 or visit our website to explore our tour packages.
