There are twelve Jyotirlingas. That’s what every guidebook, temple priest, and pilgrimage tour operator will tell you. But if you’ve spent time walking through the corridors of ancient temples in Maharashtra, Gujarat, or Tamil Nadu, you’ve probably heard whispers of a thirteenth. Some say it’s hidden in the forests of Madhya Pradesh. Others claim it’s buried under layers of sand in Rajasthan. A few even swear they’ve seen it-glowing faintly at dawn near a forgotten well in Uttar Pradesh. So, is there really a 13th Jyotirlinga? The short answer: no. But the real story is far more interesting.
The Twelve Jyotirlingas: A Sacred Map
The twelve Jyotirlingas are not just temples. They’re physical markers of divine light, believed to be self-manifested forms of Lord Shiva. Each one has a unique legend tied to it, passed down through centuries of oral tradition and scripture. These aren’t man-made idols. They’re natural stone lingams, shaped by time and devotion, where the divine presence is said to be strongest.
Here’s the accepted list, with their locations:
- Somnath (Gujarat)
- Mallikarjuna (Andhra Pradesh)
- Mahakaleshwar (Madhya Pradesh)
- Omkareswar (Madhya Pradesh)
- Omkareshwar (Madhya Pradesh)
- Kedarnath (Uttarakhand)
- Bhimashankar (Maharashtra)
- Viswanath (Uttar Pradesh)
- Tryambakeshwar (Maharashtra)
- Vaidyanath (Jharkhand)
- Nageshwar (Gujarat)
- Rameshwaram (Tamil Nadu)
These twelve are documented in the Shiva Purana, the Linga Purana, and confirmed by major Hindu sects across India. Pilgrims travel thousands of miles to visit all twelve in a lifetime-a journey known as the Jyotirlinga Yatra. It’s not a tourist trip. It’s a spiritual reset.
Where Did the 13th Come From?
The idea of a 13th Jyotirlinga didn’t appear overnight. It grew from confusion, regional pride, and a few misread texts.
One common source is the temple at Grishneshwar in Maharashtra. Many people think it’s the 12th. But it’s not. It’s the 12th-confirmed in the 17th century by the saint saint Dnyaneshwar. Before that, some local traditions listed it as the 11th, pushing others out of the list. That’s how the confusion started.
Then there’s the temple at Kashi Vishwanath in Varanasi. Some claim it’s the most powerful of all-and therefore, should be counted twice. But that’s not how the system works. The Jyotirlingas aren’t ranked by power. They’re spread across the land to represent Shiva’s presence everywhere.
Another myth centers on Shri Parshuram Kshetra in Chiplun, Maharashtra. Locals there believe the lingam was installed by Lord Parshuram himself. They call it the “lost Jyotirlinga.” But no ancient scripture backs this. It’s a local belief, not a doctrinal one.
Even the Shiva Rahasya, a lesser-known text, mentions a 13th form-but it refers to a spiritual state, not a physical temple. The text says: “Wherever the devotee’s heart burns with pure devotion, there is the 13th Jyotirlinga.” That’s poetry. Not geography.
Why Do People Want a 13th?
Human beings love to complete sets. Twelve is almost perfect. But thirteen? That’s magic. It’s the number of the full moon cycle. The number of lunar months in a year. The number of steps in some temple staircases. It’s mysterious. It’s powerful.
In regions where a temple is ancient, grand, or overlooked by mainstream pilgrimages, the idea of a 13th Jyotirlinga becomes a form of validation. “Our temple matters too,” the locals say. And in a country where temple tourism drives local economies, that claim can bring pilgrims, donations, and recognition.
Take the temple at Somnath. After it was destroyed and rebuilt multiple times, its status as the first Jyotirlinga became a symbol of resilience. Now, imagine a smaller temple in rural Rajasthan claiming the same divine origin. It’s not just about faith-it’s about identity.
The Real 13th: The Inner Jyotirlinga
If you’re looking for a 13th Jyotirlinga in stone or sand, you won’t find it. But if you’re willing to look inward, you might.
Adi Shankaracharya, the 8th-century philosopher who formalized the Jyotirlinga pilgrimage, taught that the true Jyotirlinga isn’t outside. It’s inside. The light of Shiva isn’t in the temple-it’s in the stillness between breaths. The devotion you feel when you touch the lingam? That’s the real Jyotirlinga.
Modern scholars like Dr. Devdutt Pattanaik and historian Dr. Meenakshi Jain point out that the Jyotirlingas were never meant to be a rigid list. They were tools to unify a vast, diverse land under one spiritual framework. The number twelve was symbolic: the twelve months, the twelve zodiac signs, the twelve directions. It was never about counting. It was about connection.
So when someone says they’ve found the 13th Jyotirlinga, they’re not wrong. They’re just looking in the wrong place. The real 13th is the moment you stop asking and start feeling.
What Should Pilgrims Do?
If you’re planning a temple tour in India, don’t waste time chasing myths. Visit the twelve. Walk barefoot through the stone floors of Kedarnath. Feel the mist rising from the waterfall at Tryambakeshwar. Sit quietly in the dim light of Rameshwaram, where the sea meets the shrine. Let the energy of these places sink in.
Then, if you feel drawn to a temple that’s not on the official list-go. Visit Grishneshwar. Explore the forgotten shrines near the Narmada River. Talk to the priests. Listen to the stories. These places matter. They’re part of India’s living faith.
But don’t call them Jyotirlingas unless you’re ready to explain why. The twelve are sacred because they’ve stood the test of time, scripture, and collective devotion. The rest? They’re beautiful, meaningful, and worthy of reverence-but they’re not part of the original map.
Final Thought: Faith Isn’t About Numbers
There’s no 13th Jyotirlinga. Not in the way you think. But there are thousands of sacred spots across India where Shiva’s presence is felt deeply. One temple in a village near Bhopal has a lingam carved from river stone, washed clean every monsoon. A family in Bengal keeps a small lingam in their home, lit with oil every morning. A monk in Kailash meditates under a rock shaped like a lingam, untouched by tourists.
These aren’t on any map. But they’re real. And in the end, that’s what matters.
Is there a 13th Jyotirlinga according to Hindu scriptures?
No, Hindu scriptures like the Shiva Purana and Linga Purana only recognize twelve Jyotirlingas. Any claim of a 13th comes from regional folklore, misinterpretations of texts, or modern additions-not ancient doctrine.
Why do some temples claim to be the 13th Jyotirlinga?
Some temples promote this idea to attract pilgrims and increase donations. In rural areas, being recognized as a Jyotirlinga can bring economic and spiritual prestige. It’s less about theology and more about local identity and tourism.
Is Grishneshwar considered the 12th Jyotirlinga?
Yes, Grishneshwar in Maharashtra is the 12th and final Jyotirlinga in the traditional list. It was formally included in the 17th century by saint Dnyaneshwar, replacing earlier regional variations.
Can I visit all twelve Jyotirlingas in one trip?
Yes, but it’s a major undertaking. The twelve are spread from Gujarat to Tamil Nadu. Most pilgrims plan the journey over several weeks or months. Some travel by train, others by car or on foot. The route is often done clockwise, starting from Somnath and ending at Rameshwaram.
What’s the best time to visit the Jyotirlingas?
The best time is between October and March, when the weather is dry and cool across most regions. Avoid the monsoon season (June-September) in coastal areas like Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu, and extreme winter in the Himalayas (Kedarnath). Maha Shivaratri is the most auspicious time, but expect huge crowds.
