Jyotirlingas: Lord Shiva’s Twelve Shakti Stambha

Once Brahma and Vishnu were arguing about who was the most powerful Deva (god). Brahma, the great architect, thought he was best as he created the whole of creation. But Vishnu argued he wouldn’t be able to keep it all running if it wasn’t for Him the sustainer, and everyone recognized this worshiping Vishnu in his many forms. Brahma argued back, that love of materialism was love of Him. As they argued a huge pillar of light appeared, infinite and bright it stretched from one side to the other. Awed they wanted to know of where and who this came from. Brahma went upward to search for an end or beginning, Vishnu went down to search for the same. Aeons passed, and no end or beginning of this was ever found. In surrender they both prostrated before the blazing pillar of Light, and Lord Shiva appeared gave his blessing, acknowledging he was the infinite Jyoti (light).

The Lingam is the infinite creation of energy, it is represented by a round stone (symbolic of the dome of the sky) and sitting in the yoni (representing the earth). Sometimes it has a more phallic presentation symbolic of the interwoven divine male and female energies. There are twelve Jyotir Lingam temples found throughout India, which are naturally occurring Lingas. These are places where the Linga was found and a temple was built around it. The found Linga already had the power of Shiva within it, it did not need pranipratishta to awaken it or instill Shiva’s energy into it. The jyotir Lingam represents the atman (Soul).

The Moon is the mother and the Sun is the father. On the material plane we can see from the tithi what was in the mind (manas) of the mother and father at the time of conception. What is in the mind of the parents at conception is very important in the life of the child. On a spiritual plane we can see what was in the mind (Mahat) of the Divine Mother and Father, or what is the purpose of our creation.

The Jyotirlingam and The 12 Zodiac Signs

Each Jyotir Lingam is associated with each 12 signs of the zodiac. The cause of one’s creation, the purpose of ones being is seen from the Linga that is associated with the sign. By meditation on this individual lingam, using its special mantra, and by pilgrimage to this holy site, one comes closer to an understanding of the purpose of the atman’s creation. It will help reveal one’s purpose of creation.

1. Rameshwaram is named after Lord Ram, who is the incarnation of Vishnu who represents perfect Dharma. Aries is the Sun’s exaltation, this is where the Sun has the most vitality, vigour and ability to express its energy. This is a place of power and control, a place of leadership, kings and generals. The Sun signifies our dharma, it is concerned with righteousness, justice and truth.

The Mantra is Aum Namah Shivaya, Namo Rameshwaraya.

Temple opening hours: 5 AM to 1 PM and 3 PM to 9 PM. Darshan is permitted till 8 PM.

2. Somnath, located in Gir Gujarat, is the Moon’s exaltation. Somnath Jyotirlinga is associated with the zodiac sign, Taurus, where the Moon gets exalted. It is the place of abundance and fulfillment. It is the place of Rasa, the nectar, good taste. Also health, the strength of Ojas, the immune system.

The mantra is Aum Namah Shivaya Namo Somanathaya.

Temple opening hours: Every day from 6 AM to 9 PM. Aarti takes place at 7 AM, 12 noon and 7 PM. The famous light and sound show; ‘Joy Somnath’ takes place every day between 8 to 9pm in the evening.

3. Nageshwara,  located on the coast of Saurashtra in Gujarat, between Gomati Dwarka and Bait Dwarka, is named after the Snake lord Nageshwar. It is the exaltation place of Rahu. It is associated with the zodiac sign, Gemini. The Shiva Purana says that Lord Shiva remained here in the Jyotirlinga form after killing a demon called Daruka. Nageshwar means ‘Lord of Serpents’, so it is believed that one who honors Nageshwar will have a poison-free mind and body. Lord Shiva also has a snake around his neck. It is said that honoring this Jyotirlinga can reduce the negative effects of Rahu. It has the power to reach the masses, the power to manipulate communication.

The mantra is Aum Namah Shivaya Namo Nagesheshwaraya.

Temple opening hours: 5 AM to 9 PM, on all days of the week. Devotees can go for darshan between 6 AM to 12:30 PM and 5 to 9 pm.

4. Omkareshwar is named after Omkar (the sound of Aum). Om is the word denoting God (Ishwara).  Omkareshwar is associated with the zodiac sign Cancer and is Jupiter’s exaltation in this rashi thereby one gets the strength and blessings of the Guru. Constant repetition of Om and meditation on its meaning [is surrender to God]. From that practice, the consciousness turns inwards and obstacles are overcome. Omkareshwar is the jyotir lingam which represents the Lord in the form of Omkar. Sometimes Aum is connected with Siva as it is the primal sound of which all others arise. Sometimes it is connected with Ganesh as it comes before all other words in prayer. Sometimes it is used as a transcendental word for denoting the divine, or the primal and vibration of the universe. It is the place of the highest use of the Dhi shakti, the power of intelligence.

The mantra is Aum Namah Sivaya Namo Omkareshwaraya.

Temple opening hours: Open on all days of the week from 5 in the morning to 10 in the night. Darshan is between 5:30 AM to 12:20 PM and 4 pm to 8:30 PM.

5. Grishneshwar located near Aurangabad Maharashtra near the caves of Ajanta and Ellora, the Lord of Tapasvi who lives in the jungles or remote areas. It has the power to forgive you of earlier sins. It is associated with zodiac sign Scorpio.  Dhusaneshwar vowed to forgive everyone.

The mantra is Aum Namah Sivaya Namo Dhusaneshwaraya.

Temple opening hours: For darshan and puja, visit the temple between 5:30 AM to 9:30 PM. During shravan, darshan is between 3 PM to 11 PM. Usually, darshan takes about a couple of hours. During the month of shravan, there are huge footfalls and it takes about 6 to 8 hours to complete darshan.

6. Malikarjuna Mallikarjuna – Srisailam In Andhra Pradesh represents Shiva, the greatest bhakta. Popular as Kailash of the South among the other 12 Jyotirlingas in India; Mallikarjuna jyotirlinga temple is located atop Shri Saila Mountain, on the banks of River Krishna. It is the exaltation of Mercury.

The mantra is Aum Namah Shivaya Namo Malikarjunaya.

Temple opening hours: The temple is open from 4:30 AM to 10 pm every day. Darshan is between 6:30 am to 1 pm and 6:30 pm to 9 pm.

7. Mahakaleshwar is Shiva as great Time. Mahakala is in Ujjain in the state of Madhya Pradesh. It is the exaltation place of Saturn as the governor of time. Saturn is the son of Chaya, the shadowy one, who has all the curses. Jyotishis go to this Lingam to get the knowledge of time, Varahamahira used to worship at this Lingam. A watch is the yantra of Mahakala, and therefore should not be worn on the right hand, the right hand belongs to Jupiter, the left hand belongs to Venus.

The mantra is Aum Namah Sivaya Namo Kaleshwaraya.

Temple opening hours: 4 AM to 11 PM. Devotees can experience darshan 8 AM to 10 AM,10:30 AM to 5 PM, 6 PM to 7 PM and 8 PM to 11 PM.

8. Vaidyanth is Shiva as the divine physician. Vaidyanath is located near Bodhagaya in Northern India. Vaidya is the Sanskrit word for doctor which literally means one who has the knowledge, and nath means lord. From the Vedas, Rudra was called the first physician, Shiva is the modern day form of Rudra. Vaidyanath has an eight house connection being associated with Scorpio the natural ruler of the eighth house. It is healing that has to do with holistic modalities working on the spiritual, and psychological as well as physical level of healing.

The mantra is Aum Namah Shivaya Namo Vaidyanathaya.

Temple opening hours: The temple is open on all seven days from 4 AM to 3:30 PM and from 6 PM to 9 PM.

9. Kasi Vishwanath is the lord of all gods. Vishwanath is located in Varanasi, also known as Benares or its earlier name as Kasi. According to Jaimini, Sagittarius is the exaltation of Ketu. It is a place of spiritual liberation. Ashes are taken to Kasi Vishwanath to get liberation.

The mantra is Aum Namah Shivaya Namo Vishwanathaya.

Temple opening hours: The temple opens every day from 2:30 AM for 11 PM.

10. Bhimashankar, located near Pune in Maharashtra, represents Shiva as the great warrior. Capricorn is the exaltation of Mars. Shiva has always incarnated with Lord Visnu whenever He can be of service. In the Ramayana Shiva incarnated as Hanuman, the hero of the epic. In the Mahabarata, Shiva incarnated as the great warrior Bhima.

The mantra is Aum Namah Shivaya Namo Bhimashankaraya.

Temple opening hours: All days of the week from 4:30 AM to 12 noon and 4 PM to 9:30 PM. Darshan starts at 5 in the morning and continues till 9:30 in the night. In the afternoon, during Madhyan Aarti, darshan is closed for 45 minutes.

11. Kedarnath is located in the high Himalayas. Aquarius is the sign of Saturn and Rahu. It is a sign of ingenuity.

Temple opening hours: 4 AM to 12 Noon and 3 PM to 9 PM

12. Triambakeshwar, located near Brahmagiri mountain near Nashik Maharashtra, the place of origin of Godavari River, also known as Gautami Ganga, is the three eyed Lord. Pisces is the exaltation place of Venus. Venus did Tapasya (hung from one leg on a tree for twenty years) to have the power to bring us back to life. On a material level Venus brings us back with the sperm and ovum (shukra dhatu), love, and the sexual act. This is why the 7th house is the house of rebirth. Spiritually, Venus brings us back again and again to get moksha (liberation). One will come with Venus Uchha when ready for liberation, it is She who is exalted in the last sign of the zodiac. Bija Aum Jum Sa. The mantra associated with Triambakeshwar is the Mritanjayi mantra which cures disease and asks that one be made ready for liberation like a ripe fruit ready to fall off the vine.

Temple opening hours: 5:30 AM to 9 PM, all days of the week.