Hello everyone. I’m back with bag full of memories. Memories of the family pilgrimage.
It was one crazy trip n terms of traveling we have done. We travelled almost 3500 km. within a week and covered six  Jyotirlingam temples of Lord Shiva, started from western India, travelled towards south India ( Andhra Pradesh) and finally touched north India ( Dehradun, Uttaranchal), then came back to Maharashtra.  We also took a holy dip in sacred river Godavari at Nasik on the occasion of MahaKumbh festival.
We were on roads for seven days, drove around 500 km daily, travelled by A.C. coach bus, planes, and even trains. We hired SUV to move on roads within our state and as we moved towards south we had to travel by plane to save on time. I was too tired to do anything once we reached home. I slept and kept on sleeping……. till I felt recharged. My husband, Tarun thought I have turned into a sort of flangiprop who has always this abrupt feeling of sleepiness. I have been eating my meals, doing some essential things and again going off to sleep…lol
The trip was basically was a gift to parents from my side. My dad was jubilant  since he has seen all the 12 jyotirlinga temples by the end of the trip. A great achievement for a devotee ! Here is a brief introduction of temples I visited.Â
What are Jyotirlingam/ jyuotilinga ?
A Jyotirlinga or Jyotirling or Jyotirlingam is a devotional object representing the Supreme God Shiva. Jyoti means ‘radiance’ and lingam the ‘Image or Sign’ of Shiva; Jyotir Lingam thus means the The Radiant Sign of The Almighty Siva. There are twelve traditional Jyotirlinga shrines in India.
Worship of shivalinga is considered the prime worship for the devotees of Lord shiva. Worship of all other forms is considered secondary. The significance of the shivalinga is that It is the resplendent light (flame) form of the Supreme – solidified to make the worship of It easier. It represents the real nature of God – formless essentially and taking various forms as It wills.
The Twelve Jyotirlinga Temples
This jyoti swarUpa of God exist in all the shivalinga forms, there are prominent abodes across Indian subcontinent, where It is in a splendid form. These are renowned as dvAdasa jyotir lingas or 12 jyotirlingas. These are held at much great esteem since the ancient pre-historic times. purANas talk in many sections as well as in detail about the glory of these abodes. Devotees have been getting pulled towards these kshetras due to the highly benevolent divine presence in these abodes, since ancient times.
Mahadev, the Lord incorporates in Himself, the aura and the holiness of all the twelve JyotirLingas. The grandeur of these places is unique. Devotees line up in great numbers to take a look and get a Darshan of all the JyotirLingas.
source:Â http://www.shaivam.org/siddhanta/sp/spjyoti.htm
Out of 12 I have been to nine and three are still remaining those I will visit soon.
Though photography is prohibited in most of the temples but I managed to capture few pics since I had carried my mobile phone till outer campus before depositing my purse and bag. I will share more pictures of the journey. Right now I m sorting them out.
21 Responses
Now that was some trip, I will have to return to absorb it all. I even know who Shiva is. Isn’t that the one with the many arms? I felt exhausted when I returned from London, so I can imagine how yoou must have felt after that marathoon. Beautful photos
Thanks a lot. You are right, he is the same lord.In fact ‘Lord of lords’. I am still trying to come back to my work routine. It was a long journey and tiring one but I am happy for my parents who wished to see those temples.
Welcome back!!!
Thank you. Hope you are rested and recharged. Just gone through till the last post I missed and loved the pics of Vermont corn fields.
The history behind these magnificent buildings is absolutely amazing, I’ve always loved history and would spend days at a time taking it all in. So amazing that they all remain intact, especially over the centuries 🙂
Indeed. I felt disappointed when they told me to deposit my camera and I couldn’t click the pictures. temples are so magnificent, wonders of architecture, strong and so grand to look at. the stones used to built them shines even today !
Which once more brings the old saying, they just don’t build them like they used to 🙂 I can’t understand the issue with photos though, would it not help promote the location?
Yes of course. It is allowed only till the outer campus. The sanctum Santorum is strictly prohibited. May be because the strong flash will damage the idols of deities and they are potential centers of bulgury and threat to terrorism attacks.
ah gotcha, I can totally respect that then, I hope one day and soon I can see it all too, A walkabout for me is long overdue 🙂
Why not ? Will wait to meet you.
Hooray to that! 🙂
Welcome back! Wow, that must have been a really long journey, tiring as well – not surprised that you were catching up on sleep, it’s like jetlag 🙂
Yes, like a jetlag. Glad to be in touch.
This post held so much information and lovely photographs, Rashmi. I admire your covering so many miles and pleasing your father so greatly with 12 temples. Wow! Welcome back “to reality!” 🙂
ps. I am one who likes to eat and try new foods, I’d I were in a car I would fall asleep, too.♡
Thank a lot for the patient reading and your comments are always so generous. I like to push my boundaries to bring smile on the faces of my loved ones.
What a trip, Rashmi! And you had the Holy Dip. Glad you are back 🙂
Thank you dear Amy.
Nice pictures and we could have ‘darshan’ via your post. Here we have two temples devoted to Lord Shiva.
http://www.muktigupteshwar.org/aboutmandir.asp
Thanks for the link. I would definitly visit your page.
Glad to know about the 13th jyotirlinga Shiva temple. Pictures are impressive & I liked the information.
Yes it is nice. It’s all underground so it looks like a vast sprawling green land.