Gujarat
Somnath
Standing on the Arabian Sea shore at Prabhas Patan, Somnath is honoured as the first of the twelve Jyotirlingas.
Jyotirlinga 10 of 12
Trimbakeshwar
At the foot of the Brahmagiri hills, near the source of the Godavari, Trimbakeshwar holds a unique three-faced linga.
LocationTrimbak, near Nashik
State / RegionMaharashtra
Worshipped asTryambakeshwar
Best time to visitOctober to March; Shravan for festivals
Religious significance
The linga has three small faces representing Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. The black-stone temple was built in the 18th century under the Peshwa Balaji Bajirao (Nanasaheb). Nashik–Trimbak hosts the Simhastha Kumbh Mela every twelve years.
Traditional story
The sage Gautama, accused by jealous rishis of killing a cow, performed penance to Shiva to bring the Ganga down to purify himself. Shiva released the river at Brahmagiri as the Godavari — also called Gautami Ganga — and stayed as Tryambakeshwar.
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
- Climb Brahmagiri to see the source of the Godavari (good fitness needed).
- Kushavarta kund is the traditional bathing tank.
- A dress code applies for certain rituals.
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.