On the 1st day of Sawan Somvar lets know to the story of 12 jyotirlingas of our MAHADEV
1.Somnath Jyotirlinga, Gujarat, India: According to legends, the Moon God, Soma, built the temple of Somnath to atone for his sins. It is believed that Lord Shiva appeared as a jyotirlinga to help Soma regain his lost radiance and honor.
2.Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga, Srisailam, Andhra Pradesh, India: The story revolves around a princess named Chandravati, who was an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva. She performed severe penance, seeking Lord Shiva as her husband. Impressed by her devotion, Lord Shiva granted her wish and married her in the form of Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga.
3.Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga, Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, India: The legend of Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga is associated with the demon king, Dushana. He was a staunch devotee of Lord Shiva but turned evil due to his power and immortality. Lord Shiva appeared as Mahakaleshwar and defeated Dushana, restoring peace and righteousness.
4.Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga, Madhya Pradesh, India: According to the legend, there was a demon named Vindhya who tormented the people and prevented them from performing religious rituals. Lord Shiva appeared as Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga and vanquished the demon, bringing peace to the region.
5.Kedarnath Jyotirlinga, Uttarakhand, India: The story of Kedarnath Jyotirlinga is associated with the Pandavas from the epic Mahabharata. After the Kurukshetra war, the Pandavas sought Lord Shiva's forgiveness for their sins. Lord Shiva eluded them and appeared in the form of a bull at Kedarnath. The Pandavas found him and installed the jyotirlinga there.
6.Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga, Maharashtra, India: The legend of Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga revolves around the demon Bhima, who was wreaking havoc on the earth. Lord Shiva appeared as Bhimashankar and fought a fierce battle with Bhima, ultimately defeating him and restoring peace.
7.Kashi Vishwanath Jyotirlinga, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India: The city of Varanasi is known as the abode of Lord Shiva. The legend of Kashi Vishwanath Jyotirlinga is associated with the holy city itself. It is believed that Lord Shiva established himself as the Jyotirlinga in Varanasi to bless and protect the devotees.
8.Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga, Maharashtra, India: According to the legend, the sage Gautam lived in Trimbakeshwar with his wife Ahilya. Ahilya was cursed by Gautam's wife, turning her into a stone. Lord Shiva appeared as Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga and relieved Ahilya of the curse, restoring her to her original form.
9.Baidyanath Jyotirlinga, Deoghar, Jharkhand, India: The story of Baidyanath Jyotirlinga revolves around the demon king Ravana. Ravana was an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva and sought immortality from him. Lord Shiva appeared as Baidyanath Jyotirlinga and granted Ravana's request, but Ravana made a mistake in his prayer, leading to his downfall.
10.Nageshwar Jyotirlinga, Dwarka, Gujarat, India: The legend of Nageshwar Jyotirlinga is associated with a demon named Daruka. Daruka captured thousands of devotees of Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva appeared as Nageshwar Jyotirlinga and defeated the demon, liberating the devotees.
11.Rameshwaram Jyotirlinga, Tamil Nadu, India: The story of Rameshwaram Jyotirlinga is linked to Lord Rama from the epic Ramayana. Lord Rama installed the jyotirlinga in Rameshwaram before his journey to Lanka to seek blessings from Lord Shiva for victory over the demon king Ravana.
12.Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga, Aurangabad, Maharashtra, India: The legend of Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga involves a devout woman named Kusuma. Her husband was killed by a jealous person, and she sought Lord Shiva's help. Lord Shiva appeared as Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga and restored her husband's life, granting her wish.
These stories showcase the divine manifestations of Lord Shiva as the Jyotirlingas and highlight his role in protecting and guiding his devotees