Lord Shiva is one among the trinity in Hinduism. Lord Brahma is supposed to be the incarnator of the universe. Lord Vishnu as the regulator an Lord Shiva as the Salvatore. Since times immemorial there is a tradition of erecting temples in India. There are several Shiva temples in India which are frequented by the devotees across the would. In this blog you can read about such famous temples and find the answers to the questions such as which is the oldest Shiva temples in India or which is the most powerful Shiva temple?
1. Omkareshwar Temple – One of the top Shiva temples in India
The Omkareshwar temple is located in the Khandwa district of Madhya Pradesh is one of the top Shiva Temples in India. The temple is forged by the Narmada River and is of the Nagara style. Inside the temple, you will find Shikhara (a place for worshipping), a sandstone basin, and several shrines dedicated to the gods of Shiva and Karthikeya.
The Omkareshwar temple is dedicated to the God Shiva and is situated in Khandwa, Madhya Pradesh. The temple is one of the twelve Jyotirlinga shrines dedicated to Shiva. In this article, we will discuss the importance of this Hindu temple and its significance. Let’s start by exploring this beautiful site. Once you arrive in Shivapuri, you will find that this temple is an extremely popular pilgrimage site.
This temple is believed to have the ‘OM’ inscribed into its rock. The OM is the Hindu symbol for the sacred lord. There is a hanging bridge connecting the two temples, adding to their beauty. Gauri Somnath Temple is also nearby. In Shivapuri, you can also visit Omkareshwar’s other temple, the Shivapuri Temple.
The Omkareshwar temple is situated on the southern bank of the Narmada River. Omkareshwar is also known as the “Mamleshwar” temple. The lingam of Shiva is always filled with water. In this temple, the Shiva lingam is in the center of the dome. There is also a temple dedicated to Lord Mahakaleshwar.
2. Mahakaleshwar Temple Ujjain
Located in the ancient city of Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, India, the Mahakaleshwar temple is one of top Shiva temples in India. It is one among the twelve Jyotirlingas, shrines that are said to be the most holy abodes of Shiva. This temple stands on the banks of the holy river Shipra. Its unique location has led to it being the most popular place to visit for pilgrims from all over the world.
The temple is open from four in the morning until 11 at night. During these hours, different rituals are performed. The morning, midday, and evening Aartis are particularly important. The temple’s history is intriguing. The first recorded visit to the temple was in 827 AD, when King Chandrasen of Ujjain was crowned. The king was a devout follower of Lord Shiva.
The Mahakaleshwar temple celebrates festivals in grand style. The annual Nitya Yatra involves pilgrimage to the idols. The Sawari, devoted to Lord Shiva, occurs for a fortnight during the Hindu month of Bhadrapada. The festival attracts pilgrims from all over the world. The temple also has a webcast of its Mahashivratri festival.
Another important ritual performed in the Mahakaleshwar temple is the Bhasma Aarti. The Bhasma Aarti is conducted with sacred ash. It is one of the first aarti rituals in the Mahakaleshwar temple. This ritual is unique to the temple and attracts thousands of pilgrims who come to seek the blessings of Lord Shiva. If you have never been to Mahakaleshwar, you should definitely check out this temple and give it a visit!
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3. Kedar Nath Temple Uttarakhand
The Kedar Nath Temple is one of the most famous Shiva temples in India. This Hindu temple is dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. It is located in Uttarakhand, India, on the Garhwal Himalayan range near the Mandakini river. Visitors are welcome to visit the temple between April and November. Its stunning location makes it a must-see destination. The following are a few tips for your trip to Kedar Nath Temple.
The journey to the Kedar Nath Temple begins at the Gauri Kund, which is believed to have been the birthplace of Goddess Parvati. The water at the Gauri Kund is filled with natural thermal springs that offer cooling baths to pilgrims. The temple is located half a kilometer from Sirkata Ganesha temple. According to the Skanda Purana, Lord Shiva beheaded Ganesha and took his body as a sacrifice.
The journey to Kedarnath is approximately five kilometers from the town of Sonprayag. It is possible to take shared taxis to avoid the traffic jams. After reaching the temple, you can hike to Kedarnath, which is the highest mountain in the world. Afterwards, you can take a bus back to the city. The yatra will be back on track. The corona has disrupted normal activities in the region, but Mr. Rawat remains confident that the corona will be beaten.
The Chardham Yatra is a sacred pilgrimage in Uttarakhand. The Badri-Kedar temple committee will open the temple’s gates on Vrishchik Lagna. The Panchmukhi statue of Lord Shiva will be carried to Kedarnath by chariot. At the same time, the Omkareshwar temple will be decorated with flowers. This will surely add to the glory of this place.
4. Trimbakeshwar Temple Nashik
Trimbakeshwar is one of the top Shiva temples in India and is located about 200 km from Mumbai and there are regular taxi services. If you are traveling by train, Nashik Railway station is 28 km away and connects to the rest of India. Bus service is available as well, but you can easily get to Trimbakeshwar by car or taxi.
There are many places to visit in Nasik, but if you’re in the mood for a religious experience, Triambakeshwar Temple Nasik should definitely be on your list. You’ll find this temple, a part of the Hindu religion, to be a breathtakingly beautiful place. It is also the birthplace of Lord Hanuman, who is one of the most revered Hindu deities.
The legend of the temple is based on the myth that Lord Shiva requested Goddess Ganga to flow down to the area and stay there forever. The river Godavari was formed, and she accepted the request. The temple is located on the banks of the Godavari, the city’s name for the river. Today, pilgrims flock to this shrine to seek the blessings of Lord Shiva.
Visitors can purchase a VIP Darshan Pass from the main gate for Rs. 200. Alternatively, you can opt for a free darshan, which will last around one to two hours, depending on the weather. The temple is open from 7 AM to 8 PM, so plan accordingly. It’s also recommended that you purchase tickets well in advance to avoid disappointment. There’s no need to rush and miss the sunrise.
5. Somnath Temple, Veraval, India
Somnath Temple (also known as Somantha temple, Deo Patan, or Somantha) is a Hindu temple in the town of Prabhas Patan, Veraval, Gujarat, India. It is considered to be one of the most sacred pilgrimage sites in Hinduism and the first of the twelve Jyotirlinga shrines dedicated to Shiva.
The temple is home to a large, shining Lingam of Somanth. The Lingam is hidden in a sanctum, which is brightly lit, adding to the ambiance. The Lingam is placed behind Goddess Parvati, flanked by the gods Ganesha and Kartikeya. Outside the sanctum, there are several niches featuring other Gods.
The origin of Somnath Temple is believed to be rooted in a myth. The Moon’s father-in-law, Daksha, cursed Lord Chandra to shrink in size, so the Temple was built by him. This made Lord Shiva happy, as the moon would periodically wax and wane. This myth is also the basis for the legends surrounding Somnath Temple.
Getting to Somnath is relatively easy. Veraval is well connected to major cities and is 85 km from the temple. If you’re coming from Gujarat, train services are available from all major cities. Alternatively, you can fly to Diu and take a train to Somnath. You can also use local transport to explore the city of Somnath. It’s important to plan your trip accordingly.
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6. Nageshwar Jyotirlinga Temple
The Nageshwar Jyotidlinga Temple is one of the most famous Shiva temples in India. This is one among the twelve Jyotirlingas in the world and is located in Dwarka, Gujarat, India. The name of the temple is taken from the Shiva Purana. In the Hindu mythology, this temple represents the power of Shiva. In addition to its spiritual importance, this temple is a popular pilgrimage destination.
The Nageshwar Jyotidlinga Temple was rebuilt by Late Shri Gulshan Kumar in 1996. He died during the construction process and his family stepped in to finish the work. The temple is home to a 25-foot tall statue of Lord Shiva, also known as Moteshwar. The temple is a popular destination for Hindus from all over the world.
The Nageshwar Temple is home to the sacred lingam made of Dwarka stone. During pujas, the Nageshwar Jyotirlinga removes negativity and grants the devotee freedom from sin and an unbreakable seat in Shivlok. The Nageshwar temple is a popular pilgrimage site because of its deep-seated belief in the power of this powerful deity. Thousands of devotees visit this sacred temple every year.
The Nageshwar Jyotidlinga is one of the twelve holiest shrines of Lord Shiva. It is said that if you pray to the Nageshwar Linga, you will be protected from all poisons. Moreover, a large garden surrounding the temple is another reason for pilgrims to visit the Nageshwar Jyotirlinga Temple in Jamnagar.
7. Kashi Vishwanath Temple
You can visit the Kashi Vishwanath Temple Varasi if you’re in India. This ancient Hindu temple is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, or sacred shrines, in the world. It is said to be the only place in the world where Shiva and Shakti can reside in unison. Once the temple is completed, the idols will face the west.
In Hinduism, the Kashi Vishwanath Temple holds utmost importance. Many great Hindu saints have visited Varanasi and taken a dip in Gange to obtain Moksha. In the afterlife, true devotees of Lord Shiva attain Moksha (liberation) and merge with Mahadev. For this reason, this temple is one of the holiest places in India.
You can visit the Kashi Vishwanath Temple Varasi anytime between October and March. The best time to visit the temple is from October to March. During the summer, temperatures rise to 38 o C. In the winter, temperatures remain cool and dry. You should plan your visit in advance to avoid crowded temples and heavy rainfall. If you’re traveling on a budget, try to visit the temple during the cooler months.
Kashi Vishwanath Temple is one of the holiest Hindu sites in Varanasi. It has been the site of numerous additions over the centuries. It was mentioned in the ancient Hindu text Skanda Purana. Inside, there are many small shrines, including a 2.1-meter idol of Nandi. Most importantly, this temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is the most revered jyotirlinga.
8. The Mystical Lingaraja Temple
The Lingaraja Temple in Bhubhaneshwara, Odisha, is home to a mystical Shivling known as Swayambhu. This self-originated Shivling signifies the syncretization of Vaishnavism and Shaivism in Odisha. It is off-limits to non-Hindus, so the temple has four distinct divisions.
The Lingaraj temple is a homage to Saivism and the god Shiva, who is worshipped as Tribhuvaneshwara, the master of the three worlds. His consort, Bhuvaneshvari, is also revered in this temple. It is over 1100 years old, dating back to the eleventh century. Although the entire temple was constructed by this time, part of it was built during the sixth century CE. Sanskrit texts from the seventh century also emphasize the temple’s importance.
The Odisha government recently announced a comprehensive development plan for the temple and the surrounding peripheral area in Bhubhaneshwar. It includes a 66-acre “Ekamra Kshetra” development plan, which aims to preserve the heritage of nine sites around the temple. The project will include parking space, a state-of-the-art interpretation centre, and a new outer access road.
While the Lingaraja temple is an impressive example of Hindu architecture, it does not have an exact date. It is believed to have been constructed during the eleventh century, though some people believe that parts of it were first built in the sixth century. The temple is made of solid red sandstones and high walls, giving it the look of a fortress. There are numerous statues and altars around the temple, but few people are brave enough to climb inside.
9. Neel Kanth Mahadev Temple in Rishikesh
The Neel kanth Mahadev temple is a sacred place in Rishikesh, India. The temple is named after the mythological tale of the blue throated deity, Lord Shiva, who drank poison to save mankind. According to this story, he turned blue because of the poison he drank. The blue throat turned him blue, earning him the name Neelkanth.
The temple is located 32 kilometers away from the main town. You can reach this place via public transportation, taxi, or a bike ride. There are also private vehicles and trains available to take you to the temple. The temple is open all year long, but the festival of Shivratri is the best time to visit. Whether you are an experienced yogi or a newcomer to Hinduism, you will find that the Neelkanth Mahadev temple in Rishikesh has a special aura and is a must-visit place.
The temple is open all year round, and you can visit it during summer months. The roads are prone to landslides during the monsoon season. The winter months are also not very popular, but you can visit the temple anyway. If you are traveling by bike, you can ride up to the temple on a mountain bike. This adds to the adventure. This route offers breathtaking views along the way.
The Peepal tree is one of the most significant features of the temple. The tree is said to grant wishes for those who tie its trunk with a sacred thread. The Shivling is located inside the temple, and the tree is adorned with sacred objects. Devotees offer prayers to the god, and the sacred peepal tree is also part of the temple premises. After the prayer, a pilgrim is believed to tie a thread around the trunk of the tree. This purification will result from their efforts.
10. Mangeshi Temple Goa
Getting to Mangeshi Temple Goa is a must for anyone visiting Goa. Located in Ponda Taluk, this temple is at Mardol, near the village of Nagueshi. This Goa temple is only 21 km away from the capital, Panaji, and 26 km from the beaches of Margao. In case you want to visit the Maneshi Temple, be sure to plan your itinerary accordingly.
The temple complex has simple and dainty design that emanates a dainty outlook. The temple complex has a number of domes that vary in height and girth, with the tallest dome adorned with a golden kalash. The holy structure has several pillars and pilasters to add to its elegant appearance. The most impressive structure is the seven-storey Deepastambha. The temple also has a water tank, which is a sacred place for Hindu pilgrims.
The Mangeshi temple was originally located in the village of Cortalim. It was named after the nearby village, Mangesh. It was built in 1744 but has since undergone several renovations and rebuilds. There are a number of stories connected to this temple, and it is a place of spiritual inspiration for those who seek it. It was the home of the famous Naik Swami, who was known to have spent the rest of his life in Mangeshi.
The architecture of the Mangeshi temple is typical of Goan Hindu architecture. The entrance is simple, but adorned with a prominent statue of Shiva riding on Nandi. The temple also has a seven-story lamp tower and a water tank. The Deepstambha is thought to be the oldest part of the temple. It is situated in a lovely water body and is illuminated by Diyas.
