If you love to visit pilgrims then you must read this article. According to Hindu belief, Lord Shiva is regarded as Supreme God and creator of the universe. Legend has it that ages ago, Lord Brahma and Vishnu went to war in a bid to establish supremacy over the other. Shiva emerged in front of them in a form of a huge pillar of light. In order to find the ends of this radiant pillar, Brahma went upwards and Vishnu went downwards. Vishnu accepted defeat on not being able to find the end whereas Brahma chose to lie. Shiva emerged from the pillar and cursed Brahma that he won't be worshipped till the end of eternity and blessed Vishnu for his piousness. This pillar of radiance is called 'Jyotirlingas'. Though we have 12 Jyotirlings in this article, we are going to discover three incredible Jyotirlingas
Mallikaarjun Temple, Srisailam, Andhra Pradesh
The jyotirling Shiva , named Mallikarjuna Swamy is located in Srisailam, Andhra Pradesh also termed as Kashi of the South. It is located at a distance of around 215 km from Hyderabad in Nallamala hill forests along the banks of Krishna river. Legend has it that Shiva and Parvati descended to this place to appease an agitated Kartikeya since his younger brother Ganesha was getting married before him. The gigantic fort like temple complex houses Mallikarjuna Swamy and Bharmaramba Devi as its main deities. The other important attractions in the area include the Panchamathams, temple of Istakmeswari, Sakshi Ganes, Sikharam and Srisilam Dam. The best time to visit Srisailam is the monsoon season when the forests are green offering spectacular views.
Omkareshevar, Madhya Pradesh
Omkareshwar Jyotirling is situated in an Om-shaped island called Mandhata on Narmada River in Madhya Pradesh which is around 80 kms from Indore. There is another jyotirling temple by the name of Mamaleshwar situated on the mainland. The legend behind this jyotirling states how Sage Aghastya crushes the ego of the mighty Vindhya Mountain who was blessed by a boon from Shiva. The Omkareshwar temple is an awe-inspiring three-storied structure supported by huge pillars made up of intricately carved granite stone. One cannot miss the huge Omkareshwar Dam seen from two bridges that connect Mandhata island from the mainland. A lot of devotees also perform the five km long circumambulation of the Mandhata island. There are a number of shrines en route. The closest railway station in on Omkareshwar Road, the nearest point of transit is Indore. Apart from accommodation in the Omkareshwar Temple itself there are very few ordinary hotels and hence a stay in Indore is recommended.
Baijnath
This is the most disputed jyotirling as there are three places in India whose natives claim that their temple houses this jyotirling. During a severe penance, Ravana offered his heads to Shiva. When he is about to cut off his tenth head, Shiva appears before him and offers him a jyotirling which he can take to Lanka but without placing on the ground anywhere on the way. However, he is tricked by Ganesha and the linga is installed at the same place. The first one is at Deoghar, Bihar that has a huge complex with twenty-two temples of different deities among which Shiva's is one. The nearest railway station is Jaisidih, seven km away on the Patna Howrah route. Parli-Vaijanath near Latur, Maharashtra, is the second one that was constructed by Rani Ahilya Bai Holkar in typical Maratha style architecture and this explains its fort-like appearance. The third one made in Nagara style is a 1000-year-old temple in Baijnath town situated in the Dhauladhar range of Western Himalaya in Himachal Pradesh. If you love panoramic hilly landscapes, then take the heritage toy train from Pathankot. As a mark of respect to Ravana, people of Baijnath don't celebrate Dusshera.
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