What does Jyotirlinga mean?
Jyotirlinga means 'linga of light' (jyoti, light; linga, sign or emblem of Shiva). According to the Shiva Purana, Shiva once appeared as an endless column of light, and the twelve Jyotirlingas are the shrines where he is worshipped in that radiant form. They are considered the holiest of all Shiva shrines.
On this page
The words
- Jyoti — light, radiance.
- Linga — a sign or mark; in Shaiva worship, the aniconic emblem of Shiva, usually a rounded stone pillar set in a base (pitha or yoni).
The pillar of light
The Jyotirlingas are understood as the places where this infinite light is especially present.
How a Jyotirlinga differs from other lingas
There are countless Shiva lingas in temples and homes. The Jyotirlingas are distinguished by tradition rather than appearance: they are held to be svayambhu (self-manifested) and are named in scripture as the twelve pre-eminent seats of Shiva.
Why pilgrims visit all twelve
Reciting the names of the twelve is traditionally held to remove sins, and visiting all twelve in one's lifetime is a cherished goal for many devotees. See the 12 Jyotirlingas and our Jyotirlinga trip planning guide.
A note on belief and history
The Jyotirlinga tradition is a matter of faith recorded in scripture. The temples themselves have documented histories — often of destruction and rebuilding — which we describe separately, for example in the history of Kashi Vishwanath.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a Shivling and a Jyotirlinga?
Every Jyotirlinga is a Shiva linga, but only twelve shrines are recognised in tradition as Jyotirlingas, regarded as self-manifested seats of Shiva's light.
Which scripture lists the Jyotirlingas?
The Shiva Purana (Kotirudra Samhita) and the Dvadasha Jyotirlinga Stotram.
Sources and further reading
We link to primary and authoritative sources. External links open in a new tab.
- Jyotirlinga (encyclopaedia entry with cited references) (opens in a new tab)
Wikipedia — Reference work, checked September 2026
Written and maintained by the KashiVishwanathTemple.net Editorial Team. Last updated . Found an error? Tell us — see our editorial policy.
Related guides
- 12 JyotirlingasAll 12 Jyotirlingas of India with their locations and states — Somnath to Grishneshwar — plus the traditional hymn, disputed identifications and pilgrimage planning.
- Kashi VishwanathKashi Vishwanath Jyotirlinga in Varanasi: what makes it unique among the twelve, the traditions of Kashi and liberation, and how to plan darshan today.
- Jyotirlinga HistoryHow the Jyotirlinga tradition developed, what the Shiva Purana and the Jyotirlinga Stotram say about Kashi, and the tradition of the linga's survival through history.
- Why Kashi Is SacredWhy Hindus regard Kashi as sacred: Shiva's city, the promise of liberation (moksha), the Ganga, the Kashi Khanda's sacred geography and how belief shapes the city.
- Pooja GuideAn explanatory guide to Shiva worship for Kashi pilgrims: bel leaves, Om Namah Shivaya, abhishek, the meaning of offerings and simple personal worship.
- JyotirlingaUnderstand the Jyotirlingas: what the term means, the story behind them, all twelve shrines with locations, and where Kashi Vishwanath fits in the tradition.