Do I need to visit all 12 Jyotirliṅgas?

no — each Jyotirliṅga is complete in itself; visiting even one with devotion is enough, and reciting their names is also praised.

The twelve Jyotirliṅgas are shrines where, tradition says, Śiva manifested as an endless pillar of light. They are Somnāth, Mallikārjuna (Śrīśailam), Mahākāleśvara (Ujjain), Oṃkāreśvara, Kedārnāth, Bhīmaśaṅkar, Viśvanāth (Kāśī), Tryambakeśvar, Vaidyanāth, Nāgeśvar, Rāmeśvaram and Ghṛṣṇeśvar. There are different local claims for some of them, such as Vaidyanāth and Nāgeśvar.

Many devotees make it a life goal to visit all twelve, and it is a beautiful way to see India. But there is no rule that the pilgrimage is incomplete or “wasted” unless all are covered. The same Śiva is worshipped in each, and also in the small liṅga of your neighbourhood temple or home shrine.

The Dvādaśa Jyotirliṅga Stotra, a short hymn naming all twelve, says that one who recites it morning and evening gains the merit of their darśana. Visit what your health, time and budget allow, and let the rest be prayer.

Tradition says Brahmā and Viṣṇu once argued over who was greater. A blazing pillar of light appeared between them, and they agreed that whoever found its end would win. Viṣṇu as a boar dug down and Brahmā as a swan flew up, but neither found an end. Śiva then emerged from the pillar, showing that the Supreme is beyond all limits.

Source: Śiva Purāṇa · Dvādaśa Jyotirliṅga Stotra

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