WHAT IS JYOTIRLINGA?
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Worship of shivalinga is considered the prime worship for the devotees of Lord shiva. Worship of all other forms is considered secondary. The significance of the shivalinga is that It is the resplendent light (flame) form of the Supreme - solidified to make the worship of It easier. It represents the real nature of God - formless essentially and taking various forms as It wills. More details on the shiva linga significance could be found at Shaivam A Perspective. This jyoti swarUpa of God exist in all the shivalinga forms, there are prominent abodes across Indian subcontinent, where It is in a splendid form. These are renowned as dvAdasa jyotirlingas or 12 jyotirlingas. These are held at much great esteem since the ancient pre-historic times. purANas talk in many sections as well as in detail about the glory of these abodes. Devotees have been getting pulled towards these kshetras due to the highly benevolent divine presence in these abodes, since ancient times.
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THE 12 JYOTIRLINGA TEMPLES
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There is an sanskrit shloka that lists the twelve jyotirlinga temples. (This and the complete dvAdasa jyotirlinga stotra could be found at Scripture Page)
“Saurashtre Somanathamcha
Srisaile Mallikarjunam|
Ujjayinya Mahakalam
Omkaramamaleswaram ||
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Paralyam Vaidyanathancha
Dakinyam Bheema Shankaram |
Setu Bandhethu Ramesam,
Nagesam Darukavane||
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Varanasyantu Vishwesam
Tryambakam Gautameethate|
Himalayetu Kedaaram,
Ghrishnesamcha shivaalaye||
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Etani jyotirlingani, Saayam Praatah Patennarah|
Sapta Janma Kritam pApam,
Smaranena Vinashyati||”
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Mahadev, the Lord incorporates in Himself, the aura and the holiness of all the twelve JyotirLingas. The grandeur of these places is unique. Devotees line up in great numbers to take a look and get a Darshan of all the JyotirLingas.
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LOCATION OF THE JYOTIRLINGA TEMPLES
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Two on the sea shore, three on river banks, four in the heights of the mountains and three in villages located in meadows; the twelve Jyotirlingas are spread out like this. Every place has been described in glorious words by many detailing the surroundings etc. Those of us who go to these temples of Shubhankar Shankar- Jyoti-Sivasthan, receive the holy blessings of the Lord, and come back happy, peaceful and blessed. This in indeed depends on one’s devotion and experience too.
1. Somnath Temple (SOMANATH) in Saurashtra, Gujarat
