Jyotirlinga refers to a radiant, devotional abstraction of the Supreme Lord Shiva, the all pervading divine consciousness. It signifies an energy vortex which represents his power on the earthly plane. In Sanskrit, Jyoti means ‘radiance’, and lingam means ‘sign.’ It has also been translated as ‘pillar of light.’
There are twelve Jyotirlinga shrines in India, spread across different parts of the country. Each Jyotirlinga is associated with one of the twelve zodiac signs, and each has its own mantra. So if you are unable to travel then you can find a quiet corner at home, close your eyes and chant the mantra of the particular Jyotirlinga that you would like to honor and connect with.
The align27 app will tell you which Jyotirlinga to honor and when, based on your own birth chart and current planetary transits.
The Twelve Jyotirlinga
Rāmeśvara
Rameshwaram is a small island where the revered deity Rama is said to have stayed and honored this Jyotirlinga. Rāmeśvara Jyotirlinga is associated with the zodiac sign of Aries. Sage Parashara associated Lord Rama with the Sun in the ancient text, Brihit Parashara Hora Shastra, because he stood for dharma (truth). The Sun gets exalted in Aries.
You can honor this Jyotirlinga by chanting the mantra, ‘Aum Namah Sivaya Namo Ramesvaraya,’ 108 times. In doing this we can strengthen the Sun in our chart.
Somnath Jyotirlinga
Somnath Jyotirlinga is based in the state of Gujarat. There is a legend that says that once, a curse was put on the Moon, but the Moon prayed to Lord Shiva at the exact site of the temple. Then Lord Shiva appeared and freed the Moon from the curse, bringing back its brightness. This then, it is said, became a sacred site. Somnath Jyotirlinga is associated with the zodiac sign, Taurus, where the Moon gets exalted.
You can honor this Jyotirlinga by chanting the mantra, ‘Aum Namah Sivaya Namo Somanathaya,’ 108 times.
Nāgeśvara
Nāgeśvara is one of the twelve Jyotirlinga and is based in Gujarat. 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.
If you cannot physically travel to visit this Jyotirlinga you can honor it by chanting the mantra, ‘Aum Namah Sivaya Namo Nagesvaraya,’ 108 times. Chanting this mantra brings the protection of Lord Shiva, who destroys and renews.
Omkāreśvara
Omkāreśvara means “Lord of the Sound Om” and is located on an island in the Khandwa district of Madhya Pradesh. Omkareshwar is the Jyotirlinga connected to the sign, Cancer. The Jyotirlingas have the power to exalt a planet, and Jupiter gets exalted in Cancer.
You can honor this Jyotirlinga by chanting the mantra, ‘Aum Namah Sivaya Namo Omkaresvaraya,’ 108 times. Doing this will enhance the blessings of Jupiter, or Guru, in your life.
Vaidyanātha
Vaidyanatha Jyotirlinga is located in Deoghar, in the Jharkhand state of India. Deoghar means the ‘home of Gods’. The Jyotirlinga is installed in the main temple, Baba Baidyanath, which sits within a complex of 21 other temples. In the legendary story of Rama, it is said that the demon king Ravana worshiped Shiva at the site of the existing temple to gain power and get his wishes fulfilled. The Jyotirlinga here is said to take the form of a doctor (Vaidya) and honoring it can free one from illness. Vaidyanatha Jyotirlinga is connected with the zodiac sign, Leo.
Chant the mantra, ‘Aum Namah Shivaya Namo Vaidyanatha,’ 108 times to honor this Jyotirlinga.
Mallikārjuna
Mallikārjuna is located in the state of Andhra Pradesh, in the ancient city of Srisailam, and is connected with the sign Virgo. Both Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati are present here as the Jyotirlinga, making it unique. The Jyotirlingas have the power to exalt a planet, and Mercury gets exalted in Virgo.
Chant the mantra, ‘Aum Namah Shivaya Namo Mallikarjunay,’ 108 times. This will strengthen the power of Mercury in your chart.
Mahākāla
Mahakaleshwar, or Mahakala, Jyotirlinga is located in the ancient city of Ujjain, in the state of Madhya Pradesh. It is connected with the zodiac sign, Libra.
A prayer to this Jyotirlinga is said to bring good health. While all the other Jyotirlinga face east, this is the only one that faces south. Since Lord Shiva faces south here, which is believed to be the direction of death, it symbolizes that he is master of death. This is why people honor this Jyotirlinga for good health and to prevent untimely death – therefore enjoying a long life.
You can honor the Mahākāla Jyotirlinga by chanting the mantra, ‘Aum Namah Sivaya Namo Mahakalaya,’ 108 times.
Grishneshwar
Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga is located in Ellora near Daulatabad in Maharashtra. This is the smallest Jyotirlinga temple in India and it has been mentioned in the ancient texts, Shiva Purana and Padma Purana. It is connected with the zodiac sign, Scorpio.
You can honor the Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga with the mantra, ‘Aum Namah Shivaya Namo Grishneshwar,’ 108 times.
Viśvanātha
Viśvanātha Jyotirlinga is situated on the banks of the holy river Ganga (The Ganges) in Varanasi. It is connected to the zodiac sign, Sagittarius. Jupiter is the ruler of Sagittarius and Ketu, the significator of enlightenment, gets exalted in this sign. For this reason people visit this shrine, as it is said to help the soul on its journey to moksha, or enlightenment.
You can honor the Viśvanātha Jyotirlinga by chanting the mantra, ‘Aum Namah Sivaya Namo Visvanathaya,’ 108 times.
Bhimaśaṅkara
Bhimaśaṅkara is located in the Pune region and is associated with the sign, Capricorn, where Mars is exalted. According to legend, this Jyotirlinga is connected with Lord Shiva destroying the demon Tripurasura, after the demon broke a promise previously made to use his power and gift of immortality for the good of the local people. Lord Shiva and his wife, Goddess Parvati, killed the demon, after which peace prevailed.
You can honor the Bhimaśaṅkara Jyotirlinga by chanting the mantra, ‘Aum Namah Sivaya Namo Bhimasankaraya,’ 108 times.
Kedārnātha
This Jyotirlinga is situated in Kedarnath in the Himalayas. It is associated with the Saturn-ruled sign, Aquarius. Therefore honoring it is said to bring Saturn’s blessing for a long life. The legend goes that after the Mahabharata war, the Pandavas were advised to seek Lord Shiva’s pardon for killing their kin. They searched all over and finally saw Lord Shiva at the spot where the Kedarnath Jyotirlinga is located today.
You can honor this Jyotirlinga by chanting the mantra, ‘Aum Namah Shivaya Namo Kedarnath,’ 108 times.
Tryambakeśvara
Tryambakeśvara is located in the Nasik District of Maharashtra, near the source of the Godavari River.. It is associated with the zodiac sign, Pisces, which is where Venus gets exalted.
This Jyotirlinga has three faces representing the divine trinity – Brahma (The Creator) Vishnu (The Maintainer) and Shiva (The Destroyer and Renewer), hence the name Trimbakeshwara, which means ‘three Lords.’ The famous pilgrimage festival, Kumbh Mela, occurs here once every 12 years.
You can honor the Tryambakeśvara Jyotirlinga by chanting the mantra, ‘Aum Namah Sivaya Namo Tryambakesvaraya,’ 108 times.
Check out the rituals section of align27 to see which is your personalized Jyotirlinga and when and how to honor it, according to your own unique birth chart.
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