Gujarat
Somnath
Standing on the Arabian Sea shore at Prabhas Patan, Somnath is honoured as the first of the twelve Jyotirlingas.
Jyotirlinga 8 of 12
Nageshwar
Near the coast of Saurashtra, close to Dwarka, Nageshwar is worshipped as the Jyotirlinga that protects from all poisons.
LocationBetween Dwarka and Beyt Dwarka
State / RegionGujarat
Worshipped asNageshwar
Best time to visitOctober to March
Religious significance
The shrine is known for its large seated statue of Shiva visible from the road. Aundha Nagnath in Maharashtra and Jageshwar in Uttarakhand are also venerated by many as this Jyotirlinga, reflecting differing regional traditions.
Traditional story
The demon Daruka and his wife Daruki ruled the forest of Darukavana. Daruka imprisoned a devotee named Supriya along with others; Supriya continued chanting Shiva's name in captivity, and Shiva appeared to destroy the demon and free the devotees.
Legends are presented as they are told within the tradition; they hold spiritual meaning for devotees and are not offered as historical record.
Visitor guidance
- Usually visited with the Dwarkadhish temple and Beyt Dwarka.
- Mornings are calmer than evenings.
Continue the journey
More 12 jyotirlingas
Andhra Pradesh
Mallikarjuna, Srisailam
High in the forested Nallamala Hills above the Krishna river, Srisailam is both a Jyotirlinga and a Shakti Peetha.
Madhya Pradesh
Mahakaleshwar, Ujjain
In the ancient city of Ujjain, Shiva is worshipped as Mahakala — Lord of Time and of death itself.
Madhya Pradesh
Omkareshwar
On Mandhata island in the Narmada — an island said to be shaped like the sacred syllable ॐ — Omkareshwar is one of the most beautiful settings of any Jyotirlinga.
From the library
Related reading
Planning a Jyotirlinga Yatra: A Practical Guide
How to group the twelve Jyotirlingas into practical regional circuits, when to go, and what to prepare.