Maha Shivratri 2020 is just around the corner (February 21, 2020), and we know that almost every state in India has a temple dedicated to the Lord. Shiva is the supreme power and a prominent deity of the Hindu religion, which is worshiped by devotees. Mahadev, Maheshwara, Gangadhara There are some names (among their 1008 names) by which their devotees address Lord Shiva while praying to him.
From Kashmir to Kanyakumari, several oldest shiva temples in India have been built and dedicated to this Lord On the occasion of Maha Shivratri, the statues and lingas of Shiva in all Shiva temples in India are offered milk, fruit and bael leaves and decorate with multi-colored flowers.
To plan your trips to various famous shiva temples in India on the occasion of Maha Shivratri 2020, we have compiled a complete list of temples dedicated to this deity. Scroll and visit as many temples as you can as the festival also falls into a long weekend!
15 Magnificent Shiva temples in India
1. Amarnath Temple in Kashmir
Amarnath Shiva Temple, Kashmir
One of the most famous Shiva temples in India, the Amarnath pilgrimage is extremely difficult but coveted among all Shiva devotees. It is situated at a gigantic height of 3,888m in a cave in Jammu and Kashmir, and the Amarnath Yatra is a popular and godly religious journey that pilgrims undertake to worship the Lord. The temple is famous for Lord Shiva’s natural Linga ice formation that occurs once a year.
- The best time to visit Amarnath Shiva Temple: The provisional dates for Amarnath Yatra are from June 27 to August 3, 2020.
2 Kedarnath, Uttarakhand
Kedarnath Shiva Temple, Uttarakhand
Kedarnath is famous for being a dwelling of one among the 12 Jyotirlingas and also a very famous Shiva temple in India. This enchanting temple is located in the middle of the Garhwal Himalayan Range and is visited by pilgrims as they begin their Chota Char Dham or Char Dham Yatra of Uttarakhand, visiting Badrinath, Gangothri, and Yamunothri along with this holy shrine of Lord Shiva. Since it is located at a very high altitude, the temple cannot be accessed via the proper roads and pilgrims have to walk uphill for 22 km from Gaurikund.
- The best time to visit the Kedarnath Shiva Temple: April to November
3 Kashi Vishwanath, Uttar Pradesh
Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Uttar Pradesh
It is a common belief that one last breath in Kashi frees you from all subsequent rebirths and your soul can reach Moksha as Lord Vishwanath is the refuge for all ardent devotees of Shiva. The Kashi Vishwanath Temple, located in the holy city of Varanasi, is a very popular Shiva temple in India and is highly visited by pilgrims from all over the country.
You can visit this temple during Maha Shivratri 2020 when the temple will be beautifully decorated as you celebrate this important Shaivaita festival in a grand way. This is a very famous Shiva temple in India.
- The best time to visit the Kashi Vishwanath Shiva Temple: November to February
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4 Kailasnath Temple, Maharashtra
Kailasnath Temple, Maharashtra
The Kailasnath Temple, one of the biggest Shiva temples in India, is located in Ellora and is also a great place to visit near Aurangabad. The temple is a brilliant example of the Rashtrakuta architecture of the Rashtrakuta dynasty that ruled India between the 6th and 10th centuries AD. C.
This temple is also part of the 34 temples that are present in Ellora. It is the largest rock-cut temple in this country and also has a megalith carved out of a rock cliff. It has been an inspiration to many future temples that were built in India.
- The best time to visit the Kailasnath Shiva Temple: June to March
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You can also read about 15 amazing places to visit in Aurangabad
5 Somnath Temple, Gujarat
Somnath Shiva Temple, Gujarat
The Somnath Shiva temple located in Gujarat is one of the most famous temples in India. It is also considered the first Jyotirling temple built in the country and it is an important Shiva temple in India. Due to the relentless invasions by different Muslim rulers, the temple was rebuilt several times, the last in Chalukya-style architecture, completed in 1951.
A notable structure in this temple is the Banasthamba or the arrow pillar that stands as one of the temple walls. The panoramic view of the sea and the huge temple is also the reason why pilgrims crowd this temple often.
- The best time to visit the Somnath Shiva Temple: October to March
6 Brihadeswara Temple, Tamil Nadu
Brihadeeswara Shiva Temple, Tamil Nadu
A true architectural wonder of the Dravidian era, the Brihadeeshwara Temple located on the banks of the Kaveri River in Tanjore, Tamil Nadu, is a sight to behold. This is one of the famous shiva temples in India and was built between 1001 AD and 1010 AD by the popular King Raja Raja Chola.
The temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the huge vimana tower built on top of the granite sanctuary is the tallest in all of southern India. The temple is also famous for hosting one of the largest Shiv Lingas and Nandi in India and it also has a huge prakhara (corridor). Among all the temples and monuments created by the Chola dynasty, this temple tops the lists for impeccable architecture and design.
- The best time to visit Brihadeeshwara Shiva Temple: October to March
7 Sri Kalahasthi, Andhra Pradesh
Shri Kalahasthi Shiva Temple, Andhra Pradesh
Lord Shiva in this temple is worshiped as Kalahasteeshwara and this temple is also known as one of the Panch Bhuta Sthalas in the country. Located in the Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh, this famous Shiva temple in India is often visited by pilgrims after completing their pious journey to the Tirupati Lord Venkateshwara temple.
Legend has it that this was the site where the famous devotee Kannappa prepared to offer his two eyes to Lord Shiva to stop the blood that flowed from the Shiv Linga and the Lord himself stopped him and gave him free.
- The best time to visit the Shri Kalahasthi Temple: October to March
8 Vadakkunathan Temple, Kerala
Vadakunnathan Shiva Temple, Kerala
The Vadakunnathana Shiva Temple located in Thrissur, Kerala, is one of the most popular Shiva temples in South India. Regarded as the first temple built by the famous sage Parasurama, Lord Shiva in this temple is revered as Vadakunnathan. The temple is built in typical Kerala-style architecture with wood and stone, with huge standing towers on all four sides, along with a kuttambalam.
Is one of the best places to visit in Thrissur and also an important shrine of Shiva. An interesting fact about this temple is that the shiva linga in this temple has been stained with so much ghee over the decades that only a linga-shaped mound of ghee is visible to the faithful. Temple priests offer a portion of that ghee as prasadam to devotees after pooja. In addition to Maha Shivratri, Thrissur Pooram is a festival that is celebrated with great grandeur in this temple.
- The best time to visit the Vadakunnathan Temple: In addition to Maha Shivratri 2020 in February, it can be visited during April-May for Thrissur Pooram on May 3, 2020.
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9 Murudeshwara Temple, Karnataka
Murudeshwar Shiva Temple, Karnataka
Murudeshwara, located in the north of Karnataka, houses the second tallest statue of Lord Shiva that sits majestically with the Arabian Sea splashing behind the temple. The charming landscape along with the imposing statue of the deity will surely make you fall in love with the place. A 20-story temple is also built near the statue that is dedicated to Lord Shiva.
In order for devotees and tourists to get a good view of the Shiva statue, temple authorities have built an elevator that takes visitors and pilgrims to the top of Raja Gopura to give them a spectacular view of the mammoth statue and the picturesque surrounding landscape.
- Best time to visit Murudeshwara Shiva temple: October to May
You can also read about 12 fun things to do in Gokarna
10 Temple of Tarakeshwar, West Bengal
Tarakeshwar Shiva Temple, West Bengal
Also called Baba Taraknath Temple, this is one of the famous shiva temples in India. Located in the Hooghly district of West Bengal, this temple is a shrine that is often visited by devotees throughout the year, especially on Mondays, who come to pay homage to the deity’s shayambu linga.
Among the many temples in Kolkata, this is one of the oldest and is believed to have been built in the 18th century by Raja Bharamalla. The temple has intricate carvings and beautiful murals depicting the architecture of Bengal. It also has a pond called Dudhpukur where devotees take a dip before visiting the main shrine.
- The best time to visit the Tarakeshwar Shiva Temple: Throughout the year
11 Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu
Chidambaram Shiva Temple, Tamil Nadu
The Chidambara Nataraja Temple or Thillai Nataraja Temple is one of the best oldest Shiva temples in South India. It is an artistic marvel from the Chola dynasty who built this shiva temple in a kind of temple in the 10th century. The temple is home to Shiva in the form of Nataraja (or Lord of the Dance) and also has the 108 elaborately carved Natyashastra karanas on the temple walls.
The temple architecture paints a vivid picture of the beautiful connection between the arts and spirituality and exudes an aura, a certain vibration that is uniquely felt in the inner chambers of the temple. On the occasion of Maha Shivratri, an annual Nrityaanjali is organized to worship and celebrate the Lord of the Dance – Nataraja.
- The best time to visit the Chidambaram Shiva Temple: From October to March, especially during Maha Shivaratri which falls on February 21, 2020.
12 Kotilingeshwara Temple, Karnataka
Kotilingeshwara Shiva Temple, Karnataka
True to its name, the Kotilingeshwara Temple is a famous Shiva temple in India. It is famous for hosting almost 1 crore Shiva Lingas, one of the largest in the country. This magnificent temple is located in the Kolar district of Karnataka and is also quite a temple known to locals and others.
In addition to almost 1 crore of small shiva lingams, there is also a 33-meter-tall Linga and an 11-meter-tall Nandi erected on the temple grounds. There is also a water tank built near the Linga that devotees can use to offer to the lingams.
- The best time to visit the Kotilingeshwara Temple: July to January
13 Lingraj Temple, Odisha
Lingaraj Shiva Temple, Odisha
An incredible specimen of Kalinga architecture, the Lingaraj Shiva Temple in Odisha is a must-see for all Shiv Bhakts as it is one of the biggest Shiva temple in India. In fact, it is the largest temple in Bhubaneshwar and it is believed that it was built by the Somavamsi dynasty in the Deula style with a vimana (structure for the sanctuary), jagamohana (meeting room), natmandira (party room) and bhoga- mandapa (the hall where prasad is offered).
Maha Shivratri is an important festival celebrated here and the temple is attended by thousands of visitors every year during this occasion.
- The best time to visit the Lingaraj Shiva Temple: January to March
14 Baidhyanath Temple, Jharkhand
Baidyanath Shiva Temple, Jharkhand
The Baidynath Shiva Temple, located in Jarkhand, is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas and also a famous shiva temple in India. Vaidya, which translates as medical, is the term used to refer to the deity here because, according to legend, Lord Shiva assumed the role of a healer/doctor in front of Ravana who ardently prayed to God to offer him a blessing.
And to receive that blessing, Ravana cut off his 10 heads one by one and offered them to Lord Shiva to please him and seek the blessing. Pilgrims carry an annual Kanwar yatra to this shrine and bring the holy waters of the Ganges to offer to the deity here. Maha Shivratri is widely celebrated in this temple.
- The best time to visit the Baidyanath Shiva Temple: October to March
15 Trimbakeshwar, Maharashtra
Trimbakeshwar Shiva Temple, Maharashtra
An ancient Hindu temple located in the Nashik district of Maharashtra, Trimbakeshwar is one of the famous shiva temples in India and an important shrine for Shiva devotees. The point of origin of the sacred Godavari River is said to be near the city of Trimbak in Nashik.
It is also a Jyotirlinga and the temple houses three-faced Linga, each of which represents Shiva, Brahma, and Vishnu. The current temple is built by Peshwa Balaji baji Rao and is built from basalt.
- Best time to visit Trimbakeshwar Shiva Temple: October to March
16 Mahakaleshwar, Madhya Pradesh
Mahakaleshwar Shiva Temple, Madhya Pradesh
Another Jyotirlinga temple, also known as the holiest of all Shiva temples in India, the Mahakaleshwar Temple is located in Ujjain, on the banks of the sparkling Shipra River. The lingam in this temple is believed to be a Swayambhu or built on their own, without anyone installing the linga by reciting mantras.
Another specialty of this temple is the south-facing Linga, which is present only in Mahakal. The temple is very high Shikhar o Needle and the glossy facade makes it an impressive sight to admire and explore for both devotees and history lovers who love to visit temples.
- The best time to visit the Mahakaleshwar Shiva Temple: October to March
Here is the list of 16 magnificent Shiva temples in India that you can visit on the occasion of Maha Shivratri or every time you plan a trip to these cities. You can book comfortable stays with Treebo Hotels and explore the temples and their surroundings.
I am Shamik, a blogger from India. I want to inspire people who love traveling or planning their dream trip. I guide them to find comfortable accommodations that feel like a second home. I share my experiences to help you decide where to stay during your travels. After all, a great holiday needs a great place to stay!