In the previous post, we learned about 4 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva and understood why they are so significant.
Now, let’s learn about the remaining 4 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva. 🙏
12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva – Part 2
12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva – Part 2 Kedarnath Jyotirlinga
- Kedarnath Jyotirlinga
- Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga
- Kashi Vishwanath Jyotirlinga
- Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga
📍 Where is Kedarnath Jyotirlinga located?
Kedarnath Temple is located in the Himalayan mountains of Uttarakhand, India. This temple is built at an altitude of about 3,583 meters above sea level and is considered extremely sacred.
The story of Kedarnath is connected with the Mahabharata and the Pandavas. After the Mahabharata war, the Pandavas were deeply saddened by the sin of killing their own relatives. They wanted to seek forgiveness from Lord Shiva, but Lord Shiva was angry with them and did not want to meet them.
To avoid them, Lord Shiva disguised himself as a bull (Nandi) and went into the Himalayas. However, the Pandavas recognized him. Then Bhima took a giant form and tried to catch the bull, but Lord Shiva began to disappear into the ground.
As a result, the hind part (hump) of the bull appeared in Kedarnath. This is why the Kedarnath Jyotirlinga was established at this place. Other parts of Lord Shiva’s body appeared at different places, which are collectively known as the “Panch Kedar.” 🙏
✨ Why is Kedarnath so special?
- It is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva
- It is considered one of the most difficult pilgrimages (Yatra)
- By visiting here:
- One gets freedom from sins
- One attains peace and inner strength
🔱 Understand in simple words
👉 The Pandavas wanted freedom from their sins
👉 Lord Shiva hid from them (took the form of a bull)
👉 Bhima tried to catch him
👉 The bull’s hump appeared in Kedarnath
👉 Kedarnath Jyotirlinga was established there 🙏
12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva – Part 2 Kedarnath Jyotirlinga
12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva – Part 2 – Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga
Bhimashankar Temple is located in the Sahyadri hills near Pune in the Indian state of Maharashtra. This place is famous for its natural beauty and spiritual significance.
📖 Mythological Story of Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga
The story of Bhimashankar is a famous legend associated with Lord Shiva.
Once upon a time, there was a very powerful demon named Bhima, who is believed to be the son of Kumbhakarna. He was extremely cruel and arrogant. Due to his pride in power, he performed severe penance and received a boon.
After receiving the boon, he became even more tyrannical. He started troubling gods and sages. He stopped people from performing prayers and even began killing saints. This caused great distress among all sages and deities.
Once, he captured a great devotee of Lord Shiva (a king/sage) who constantly worshipped him. The demon tried to stop him from praying, but the devotee did not stop chanting Lord Shiva’s name.
Seeing this, Bhima became furious and was about to kill him. Suddenly, a bright light appeared, and Lord Shiva manifested there.
Lord Shiva fought a fierce battle with the demon Bhima and finally killed him. To protect his devotees, Lord Shiva stayed there in the form of Bhimashankar.
That is why this place became famous as Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga, and even today, devotees come here to worship Lord Shiva. 🙏
🛕 Meaning of the Name
- “Bhima” = Name of the demon
- “Shankar” = Another name of Lord Shiva 🔱
12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva – Part 2 – Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga
12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva – Part 2 – Kashi Vishwanath Jyotirlinga
Kashi Vishwanath Temple is one of the most sacred and famous temples in India, located in Varanasi (Kashi), Uttar Pradesh. This holy temple is situated on the banks of the Ganga River and holds great significance in Hinduism.
It is believed that Kashi is the most प्रिय place of Lord Shiva. Varanasi is also known as Kashi or Banaras. According to belief, this is the sacred city from where the path to heaven begins, and people who come here attain peace and salvation (moksha).
It is said that Lord Shiva made Kashi his permanent abode. This city is considered “eternal” (Avinashi), meaning it can never be destroyed. It is believed that by having darshan of Lord Shiva here, all sins are washed away and one attains peace and happiness in life.
🔱 Manifestation as Vishwanath
“Vishwanath” means:
👉 Lord (Nath) of the Universe (Vishwa)
Here, Lord Shiva appeared in the form of Vishwanath, meaning the ruler of the entire universe. He promised to grant salvation (moksha) to all his devotees in Kashi.
⚰️ City of Moksha
It is believed that anyone who spends their final moments in Kashi or dies here attains moksha. Lord Shiva himself whispers a sacred mantra in their ears, freeing them from the cycle of birth and death.
🛕 Importance of the Temple
- It is considered one of the most important and sacred among the 12 Jyotirlingas
- Thousands of devotees visit daily for darshan
- Bathing in the Ganga and worshipping Lord Shiva here is considered highly auspicious 🙏
12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva – Part 2 – Kashi Vishwanath Jyotirlinga
12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva – Part 2 – Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga
Trimbakeshwar Temple is a highly sacred Jyotirlinga located near Nashik in the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is situated close to the Brahmagiri hills, from where the holy Godavari River is believed to originate.
📖 Mythological Story of Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga
The story of Trimbakeshwar is associated with Rishi Gautam and his wife Ahalya. Rishi Gautam was a very pious and महान sage. He prayed to Lord Shiva that there should never be a shortage of water in his ashram and region. Pleased with his devotion, Lord Shiva granted him this boon.
However, other sages became jealous of him. They prayed to Lord Ganesha to teach Rishi Gautam a lesson. At first, Lord Ganesha refused, but upon their insistence, he took the form of a cow and went to Gautam’s ashram.
One day, when Rishi Gautam saw the cow in his field, he tried to gently move it away, but unfortunately, the cow died. A false accusation of cow killing (a great sin) was placed on him.
Deeply saddened, Rishi Gautam performed intense penance to Lord Shiva and prayed for forgiveness and liberation. Pleased with his devotion, Lord Shiva appeared and instructed Goddess Ganga to descend on Earth so that Gautam could be freed from the sin.
Goddess Ganga manifested here in the form of the Godavari River. Upon the request of devotees, Lord Shiva stayed there as the Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga.
Today, this place is considered a symbol of faith, purity, and salvation. 🙏
👉 Meaning of “Trimbak”
➡️ The one with three eyes (Lord Shiva)
✨ Importance of the Temple
- It is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas
- Special rituals like Pind Daan and Kaal Sarp Dosha Puja are performed here
- Being the origin of the Godavari River makes it even more sacred
12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva – Part 2 – Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga
Leave a Reply