These 18 Shiva Temples in India Are on Your Pilgrimage Bucket List
India is the land of gods and goddesses, that’s right. However, of all these gods, Shiva is considered the most important and supreme. In fact, Shiva is the most revered god among Hindus worldwide. Lord Shiva is the main Hindu deity worshipped by Lord Shiva. So why is Shiva one of the most important gods in Hinduism? Hinduism revolves around the concept of Trimurti, where the three main superpowers in the divine realm are said to be responsible for the creation, maintenance and destruction of the universe. In this Hindu triumvirate, Shiva is known as the destroyer of the world. The other two main gods are Brahma (creator) and Vishnu (protector). Shiva is worshipped in the form of shivlinga. Devotees bathe linga with milk to circulate positive energy. It is known that Shiva blessed his true devotees with ultimate salvation. Since Lord Shiva holds a special place in the hearts of countless Indians, there are many Shiva temples all over India. Some of them are constructed by famous personalities, and some of them hold tons of facts about the birth of the universe. Whether a true devotee of Mahadev himself, or just curious about Hinduism in general, visiting these soulful Shiva temples is a fascinating journey. Here we have listed for you some of the most important and revered Shiva temples in India. Start knocking them off your list and who knows, you might find yourself closer to the divine!
The largest and oldest Shiva temple in India:
Here are some of the ancient Shiva temples that must be visited in India.
1. Kedarnath Temple: Uttarakhand
Now this place needs no introduction, one of the most revered yet most difficult pilgrimage sites, it is the ultimate dream of every Shiva devotee. Lord Shiva is known to appear in the form of jyotirlingam or “cosmic light”. There are 12 of them, of which Kedarnath is the tallest (3581 meters) and probably the most historic and valuable. In fact, the origin of this temple can actually also be observed in the Mahabharata. It forms one of the famous char dhams and is the most sought after pilgrimage site. This Shiva temple built in the 8th century AD still stands in Uttarakhand. It is located in a beautiful place near the Mandakini River and in the Rudra Himalayas. Imagine praying to Mahadev surrounded by snow-capped peaks and dewy green meadows. It is by far one of the most beautiful places of worship. This temple is part of the five temples of Panch Kedar. Located in Dev Bhumi in Uttarakhand, the temple is open to tourists from April to November. It is closed for the rest of the year due to extreme weather conditions. It’s never really summer here, and oxygen levels drop. The site is usually submerged in snow when it is closed. Therefore, one needs to prepare before embarking on the journey here. It’s a good idea to stock up on glucose, medicine, and warm clothing while hiking.Indulge in yoga and exercise to stay in shape before your trip
- address: Kedarnath, Uttarakhand 246445
- time: Morning Dashan: 4am to 3pm, Evening Dashan: 5pm to 9pm
- Dress Code: Warm and easy-going clothing. Women are advised to avoid sarees and wear salwar kameez or pants instead. It’s cold and the altitude is high, so dress accordingly. Gloves, sweaters, socks, scarves and umbrellas are a must.
- About. Visiting time: 1-2 hours
- how can I get there: By Air: The nearest airport is Jolly Grant, 260 km away. Rail: The nearest rail starts in Rishikesh, with a total length of 243 kilometers. Road: Connected to Rishikesh, Haridwar, Dehradun and Delhi.
- Temple website: http://www.badarikedar.org/
- Best time to visit: May to October, except for monsoons. The Badri Kedar Festival in June brings together skilled artists from all over the country for 8 days.
- Other attractions: Gandhi Sarovar (2 km away) is amazing with the ice floes on the crystal water. A dip in the medicinal springs of Gaurikund is a must try. Shankaracharya Samadhi is also behind the temple. Picturesque hiking opportunities and village exploration are plentiful.
2. Somnath Temple: Gujarat
Somnath actually means “protector of the moon god”. It is said that the Moon God originally built the temple out of gold to worship Lord Shiva. After it was destroyed, it was built again with silver, and the rebuilding cycle continued. Somnath Shiva Temple is located in Gujarat. This famous temple is one of twelve Jyotirlinga temples dedicated to the mighty Lord Shiva. One of the main reasons for the popularity of Somnath Temple is that this Shiva Temple has experienced many historically significant events that took place long ago. It was attacked by invaders such as Mahmoud of Ghazna, Afzal Khan and other foreigners. Its wealth was looted, and attempts were made to destroy it about seventeen times. However, it has survived over time and is still going strong even now. So Somnath Temple is indeed popular for its rich heritage and the unique history of sustenance and triumph it embodies.
- address: Somnath, Veraval, Gujarat 362255
- time: 6am to 9:30pm. Light and Sound Show, 8-9.
- Dress Code: Traditional clothing is the most appropriate. Miniskirts and impolite clothing are not allowed.
- About. Visiting time: 1 hour
- how can I get there: Somnath is 95 km from Diu by road. You can fly to Diu. Somnath has good rail and bus connections to all major destinations. The nearest stations are Somnath (0.5 km) and Veraval (7 km from Somnath), which are connected to Ahmedabad and other major cities.
- Temple website: http://www.somnath.org/
- Best time to visit: You can take part in its large bazaar during the full moon of Kartik Purnima in November/December. Shivratri is also an important day for the temple.
- Other attractions: Gir National Park, home to the last Asian lions, is 43 km away and is a must visit.
3. Mallikarjuna Swamy: Andhra Pradesh
Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple is located in Andhra Pradesh and is one of the jyotirlinga shrines. This temple is another beautifully situated temple, situated in picturesque Nallamalai Hills Srisailam at an altitude of 476 meters. It is called the residence of Lord Shiva. The setting is very peaceful, with the banks of the Krishna River in the background adding to the charm of it all. The temple is also of great historical significance and is one of the most visited religious sites in the country. The temple was built by King Hariharalaya. It is considered to be one of the oldest Kshetras in India.
- address: Srisaila Devasthanam, Kurnool Dist, Atmakur Mandal, Srisailam, Andhra Pradesh 518101
- time: 6:30am – 3:30pm, 6:00pm – 10:00pm
- Dress Code: traditional or decent clothing
- About. Visiting time: 3 hours
- how can I get there: By Air – The nearest airport is Hyderabad (230 km), from where you can easily find a bus to Srisailam. By Rail – Markapur Station (91 km) from Srisailam.
- Temple website: http://www.srisailamonline.com/index.html
- Best time to visit: Cultural programmes are held every Saturday and Sunday evening.
- Other attractions: Holy river bath on the Krishna River (750 steps involved).
4. Shiva Mahakaleshwar Temple: Madhya Pradesh
In Madhya Pradesh, Ujjain, there is a famous three-story Shiva temple called Mahakaleshwar. It is located beside Rudra Sagar Lake. The majestic and majestic carvings combined with the beautiful patterns and hypostyle porches create an enchanting atmosphere. It is one of 12 jyotirlingas. Mahakal is considered to be the dead king of earth, hell and heaven. Mahakal is basically a ferocious figure of the mighty Lord Shiva, considered the Terminator of all evil. The exact origin of the temple cannot be traced back, but according to the Purana it is said to have existed since prehistoric times. Several ancient texts of the poet at that time also mentioned Mahakal Temple.
- address: Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh 456001
- time: 5:00 am to 3:30 pm, 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm
- Dress Code: Women’s sarees and men’s dhotis as certain regions and aarti can only be entered strictly in this garment.
- About. Visiting time: 1-2 hours
- how can I get there: Ujjain is located in the Western Railway District. You can travel to Ujjain by train from any major city. It is also closely connected to Indore by road and rail. The bus from Indore is 55 km. The nearest airport is Indore (60 km away).
- Temple website: http://dic.mp.nic.in/ujjain/mahakal/default.aspx
- Best time to visit: Mahashivratri is a day of the year that the temple never has. If you want to see the spirit of the dragon king, you should go to the temple of the dragon king Ban Chami, because it is only allowed on that day.
- Other attractions: Explore Indore and visit the city’s Lal Bagh Palace.
5. Shiva Temple Omkareshwar: Madhya Pradesh
Another one of 12 jyotirlingas, another Shiva temple in Madhya Pradesh. It is located in an island-like area on the Narmada River called Mandhata or Shivapuri. The island is said to be shaped like the Hindu holy emblem “Om”. This is one of the most popular pilgrimage destinations in the country. In this temple, pujas are held at noon and morning worship is conducted by the temple trust.
- address: Omkareshwar Mandir Road, Mandhata, Madhya Pradesh 451115
- time: Open at 5am and darshan at 4pm. Watch God’s Sleeping Landscape from 9pm to 9:30pm.
- Dress Code: There is no specific dress code.
- About. Visiting time: 1-2 hours
- how can I get there: The nearest airport is in Indore (80 km away). By train, it can be reached via Khandwa Railway Station or Indore Railway Station, both of which are around 78 km away. The temple is also easily accessible from all major cities by bus. There are many state and private buses from Indore (77km), Kandwa (78km) and Ujjain (135km).
- Temple website: http://shriomkareshwar.org/
- Best time to visit: Maha Shivratri Mela, Karthik Utsav and Narmada Jayanti.
- Other attractions: The island is surrounded by mountains. Take a tour around the island and enjoy the stunning views.It is said that the parikrama on the island itself is very auspicious and is a way to wash away sins
6. Bhimashankar Temple: Maharashtra
The Bhimashankar temple in Maharashtra is located on Sahyadri hill surrounded by dense forest. Bhimashankar is the starting point of the Bhima River. It has become even more prominent since it was declared a wildlife sanctuary. It is one of the 12 important jyotirlingas located near the city of Pune, and every year a large number of devotees pour into the temple gates. Built in Nagra architectural style, the temple shows visitors how Triprasul was defeated by the combined form of Lord Shiva and Devi Parvati.
- address: Maharashtra State Highway 112, Bhimashankar, Maharashtra 410509
- time: Morning: 5am to 3pm, 4pm to 9:30pm
- Dress Code: Traditional clothing is recommended
- About. Visiting time: 1-2 hours
- how can I get there: The nearest airport and railway station are in Pune, 125 km away. Buses are also available from Pune, Ghatkopar and Kalyan.
- Temple website: http://bhimashankar.in/
- Best time to visit: September to February. For adventure lovers, monsoons are a wonderful time.
- Other attractions: On the second day, you can explore the Bhaja caves in Khopali or the Imagica theme park.
See also: The best ancient temples in India you should visit
7. Kashi Vishwanath Shiv Mandir: Uttar Pradesh
Kashi Vishwanath Temple is located in the holy city of Varanasi and on the banks of the Ganges. An environment as pure as possible, it is considered a sanctuary for all loyal souls. According to legend, those who take their last breath in this temple will be freed from samsara. Shiva is believed to have delivered the moksha spell directly into the ears of his devotees, who took their last breaths in this sacred place. lie in…