Maha Shivratri is one of the most important days in India’s spiritual calendar. The festival marks Lord Shiva’s union with his consort Goddess Parvati. Celebrate the festival at 12 of the most iconic Shiva temples in India. By Karan Kaushik
India is home to numerous ancient temples. Many of them are dedicated to the worship of Lord Shiva. For some, it’s their love for history and architecture that draws them to these age-old temples, and for others, it’s spiritual. Steeped in mythology, these temples are an integral part of India’s architectural heritage. Here, we feature some of the most iconic Shiva temples in India, including a few jyotirlingas. How many of these have you visited?
Shiva Temples in India that are flocked by devotees on Maha Shivratri
Kedarnath Temple, Uttarakhand
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Nestled in the Garhwal Himalayas, the legendary Kedarnath Temple is one of the 12 jyotirlingas. Perched near the Chorabari glacier, the temple was constructed using large grey stone slabs. Legend has it that the Pandavas had arrived here after defeating the Kauravas in the war of Mahabharata. Their purpose was to seek redemption from Lord Shiva for killing the Kauravas and their army. In the backdrop of the temple, one can see the mighty Kedarnath peak, which is blanketed with snow for the most part of the year. Kedarnath is also a part of the Char Dham pilgrimage circuit. The sanctum sanctorum here houses a conical rock that is worshipped in the form of Lord Shiva.
Somnath Temple, Gujarat
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Believed to be the first of the 12 jyotirlingas, the Somnath Temple lies in Prabhas Patan on Gujarat’s western coast. The temple has witnessed several invasions and has been subsequentially reconstructed every time. The present form of the temple stands as a fine example of the Chalukya style of temple architecture. The Somnath Temple stands on the confluence of the Kapila, Hiran, and Sarasvati rivers. The temple complex has a place called Vallabhghat, which offers stunning sunsets. An enjoyable sound and light show titled Jay Somnath is also held every night from 8:00 pm to 9:00 pm.
Kashi Vishwanath, Uttar Pradesh
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The ancient city of Varanasi is known as the abode of Lord Shiva. One of its most incredible spots is the much-revered Kashi Vishwanath temple. A jyotirlinga, the temple is currently being renovated under several phases of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ambitious Kashi Vishwanath Corridor Project. The temple lies on the western banks of the Ganges. Here, Lord Shiva is worshipped as Vishwanath or Vishveshwara, which means ruler of the universe. The prime highlight of the temple’s architecture is its gold-covered domes. The current structure was constructed in 1780 by Indore’s Maharani Ahilyabai Holkar.
Brihadeeswara Temple, Tamil Nadu
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Located in Thanjavur, the Brihadeeswara Temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is also referred to as the Thanjai Periyakoil. The temple’s construction is credited to the Chola king, emperor Raja Raja Cholan-I, who raised it between 985 and 1014 AD. An architectural marvel, the temple boasts a five-tiered pyramid-shaped tower, which stands 216 feet tall. The vimana or shikhara of the temple was carved out of a single rock and weighs around 80 tons. It is said that elephants were used to the shikhara on the top. The shivalinga was chiselled out of a single rock and stands 13 feet tall. Its circumference of 54 feet makes it one of the largest shivalingas in India. The massive monolithic statue of Nandi-the sacred bull is another highlight of the temple.
Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga, Madhya Pradesh
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Ujjain’s claim to fame, the Makaleshwar temple, is not only one of the 12 jyotirlingas but also the only south-facing jyotirlinga. Nestled on the banks of the sacred Shipra River, the temple attracts millions of devotees. Designed according to the Maratha, Bhumija and Chalukya styles of architecture, the temple has five levels. One of these is underground. The sanctum of the temple houses a beautifully decorated shivalinga, which is said to have been born of itself. The floor above the Mahakal shrine houses an idol of the Omkareshwar version of Lord Shiva. Another floor features imposing pictures of Lord Shiva, Goddess Parvati, and their kids Ganesha and Kartikeya. The third floor of the temple is dedicated to the worship of the snake God Nagchandreshwar.
Kotilingeshwara Temple, Karnataka
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Perhaps the most Instagrammed Shiva temples in India, the Kotilingeshwara Temple lies in the Kolar district. It features one of the world’s largest shivalingas. The 108 feet tall shivalinga accompanied by the 35 feet tall statue of the sacred bull Nandi are the prime attractions here. But what makes a visit to this colourful temple are the uncountable big and small shivalingas that dot the area around the main shivalinga. The aim is to install as many as one crore shivalingas, which is why the temple is named Kotilingeshwara, meaning one crore shivalingas. The temple complex houses 11 smaller shrines that are dedicated to different deities. The water tank here is used for conducting abhishekas and other holy ceremonies by devotees.
Kailasa Temple, Maharashtra
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This absolutely incredible piece of architecture is housed inside the Ellora Caves, making it one of the most intriguing abodes of Lord Shiva in the country. The temple has an interesting story related to its construction. According to a popular legend, the temple was built by Rashtrakuta King Elu after his queen refused to eat until a magnificent temple was built in honour of Lord Shiva. The temple has been carved out of huge basalt rocks at a hill in Elapura or Ellora near Aurangabad. The temple is counted among the world’s largest rock-cut temples. Its construction began during the reign of King Dantidurga during 735-757 AD. However, the construction went on for more than a century under his successors. Most of it was done under King Krishna I’s rule from 757 -773 AD.
Arulmigu Ramanathaswamy Temple, Tamil Nadu
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In terms of opulence and aesthetics, the Ramanathaswamy Temple in Rameshwaram is perhaps the best of all Shiva temples in India. The temple is linked with the epic Ramayana and the story of Lord Rama travelling to Sri Lanka with his brother Lord Lakshman, Lord Hanuman, and the army of King Sugriva to find Goddess Sita. According to the Ramayana, it was here that Lord Rama had prayed to the sea god to help him build a bridge to cross the ocean to reach Lanka. Before the prayer service, he had established a shivalinga here. This makes the temple an important place for followers of both Shaivism and Vaishnavism. The highlight of the temple is its magnificent corridors which feature tastefully done ceilings and intricately carved pillars.
Kandariya Mahadev Temple, Madhya Pradesh
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Another UNESCO World Heritage Site in this list, the famous Kandariya Mahadev Temple is the most iconic of all Khajuraho temples. Located in the western group of temples, it stands 31 metres tall. The shape of the temple is inspired by a mountain and symbolises Mount Meru. The temple is known for its exquisite carvings, which feature human and animal figurines and depict different emotions. The temple features beautiful porches and towers and a majestic shikhara. The temple houses three mandapas or halls. Its main garbagraha or sanctum boasts a shivalinga. Well-kept lawns embellished with bougainvillaea trees surround the temple. The temple features as many as 900 sculptures on its outer walls.
Trimbakeshwar Temple, Maharashtra
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Just 28km from Nashik, Trimbakeshwar is a small sacred town flocked by devotees in droves. The Trimbakeshwar Temple here is one of the 12 jyotirlingas. It is located at the foot of Brahmagiri Hill, the origin of the Godavari. Constructed by Peshwa ruler Balaji Bajirao between 1740-1760, the temple is also encompassed by the Nilagiri and Kalagiri hills. Build entirely of black stone, the temple gets its name from its three-faced shivalinga, each representing the holy trinity of Shiva, Vishnu, and Brahma. What makes a visit to Trimbakeshwar amazing is the bustling market that surrounds the temple. Lined with hotels and eateries, the market makes for a great spot to embark on a street food spree, especially during the winter months.
Murudeshwar Temple, Karnataka
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Lingaraj Temple, Odisha
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A major attraction of the temple town of Bhubaneswar, the Lingaraj Temple dates to the 11th century. Eminent historian James Fergusson described it as “One of the finest examples of purely Hindu temple in India.” The grand temple confirms the Kalinga school of temple architecture. It is surrounded by a lush sprawl, which features 150 smaller shrines dedicated to different deities. The shivalinga in the main temple is said to be self-originating or swayambhu. The shivalinga is known as harihara, which was apparently influenced by the cult of Lord Jagannath. The temple complex also houses a lake called Bindusagar, which is the centre of all religious and cultural activities in Odisha.
