From the northern valleys of Kashmir to the southern coasts of Tamil Nadu, India is a country where temples can be found in abundance throughout the towns and cities, to the point where one temple can be found at every turn. Travellers from all over the world visit the various ashrams and famous Shiva temples in India to experience spirituality at its finest, and why shouldn’t they? The blessed country is known for it for a reason.
# Amarnath Temple, KashmirThe blessed temple of Amarnath in Kashmir raises the bar for famous Shiva temples in India to new heights. Tourists from all over the country and beyond flock to this temple, which is located at a height of 3888m in a massive cave, to see the magnificent Shiva Lingam, which only appears once a year. To walk all the way to the temple and cross Kashmir’s uneven terrain takes a lot of strength.
# Kedarnath, UttarakhandKedarnath is known for being the home of one of India’s 12 Jyotirlingas as well as a well-known Shiva temple. Pilgrims visit this enchanting temple nestled in the Garhwal Himalayan Range as part of their Chota Char Dham or Char Dham Yatra of Uttarakhand, which includes visits to Badrinath, Gangothri, and Yamunotri, as well as this holy shrine of Lord Shiva. The temple can’t be reached by road because it’s at such a high altitude, so pilgrims must trek 22 kilometres uphill from Gaurikund.
# Kashi Vishwanath, Uttar PradeshIt is widely believed that breathing your last breath in Kashi absolves you of all future reincarnations and allows your soul to attain Moksha, as Lord Vishwanath provides shelter for all ardent Shiva devotees. The Kashi Vishwanath Temple, which is located in the holy city of Varanasi, is one of the famous Shiva temples in India that attracts pilgrims from all over the country. You can pay a visit to this temple during Maha Shivratri when it will be beautifully decorated in honour of this important Shaivaite festival.
# Kailasnath Temple, MaharashtraKailasnath Temple, one of the famous Shiva temples in India, is located in Ellora and is a popular tourist destination near Aurangabad. The temple is a magnificent example of Rashtrakuta architecture, which ruled India between the 6th and 10th centuries AD. Ellora has a total of 34 temples, and this one is one of them. It is the country’s largest rock-cut temple, with a megalith carved out of a rock cliff. It served as an inspiration for many subsequent temples in India.
# Somnath Temple, GujaratThe Somnath Shiva temple in Gujarat is one of the most famous Shiva temples in India. It is also regarded as the country’s first Jyotirling temple, as well as an important Shiva temple in India. The temple was reconstructed several times as a result of repeated Muslim invasions, the most recent being in Chalukya-style architecture, completed in 1951. The Banasthamba or arrow pillar, which is erected on one of the temple walls, is a notable structure in this temple. Pilgrims flock to this temple because of the panoramic view of the sea and the enormous temple.
# Brihadeswara Temple, Tamil NaduThe Brihadeeshwara Temple, located on the banks of the river Kaveri in Tanjore, Tamil Nadu, is a true architectural marvel of the Dravidian era. The popular king Raja Raja Chola built this temple between 1001 and 1010 AD, making it one of the famous Shiva temples in India. The temple has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the massive vimana tower, which stands above the sanctum and is made of granite, is the tallest in South India. The temple is also known for having one of India’s largest Shiv Lingas and Nandi, as well as a large prakhara (corridor).
# Murudeshwara Temple, KarnatakaMurudeshwara, in North Karnataka, is home to the world’s second-tallest Shiva statue, which stands majestically with the Arabian Sea splashing behind it. The charming landscape, combined with the deity’s towering statue, is sure to make you fall in love with the location. A 20-story temple dedicated to Lord Shiva is also being built near the statue.
The temple authorities built a lift to take visitors and pilgrims to the top of the Raja Gopura to give them a spectacular view of the mammoth statue and the surrounding picturesque landscape in order for devotees and tourists to get a good look at the Shiva statue.
# Tarakeshwar Temple, West BengalThis Shiva temple, also known as Baba Taraknath Temple, is one of the most famous Shiva temples in India. This shrine, which is located in the Hooghly district of West Bengal, is frequently visited by devotees all year, especially on Mondays, who come to pay their respects to the deity’s Shayambu linga. This is one of Kolkata’s oldest temples, believed to have been built by Raja Bharamalla in the 18th century. Intricate carvings and beautiful murals depicting Bengal architecture can be found throughout the temple. It also has a pond known as the Dudhpukur, where devotees bathe before entering the main sanctum.
# Mahakaleshwar, Madhya PradeshThe Mahakaleshwar Temple, another Jyotirlinga shrine and the most sacred of all famous Shiva temples in India, is located in Ujjain, on the banks of the enchanting Shipra river. The lingam in this temple is thought to be a Swayambhu, or self-built linga, as it was not installed by reciting mantras. The south-facing Linga, which is only found in Mahakal, is another unique feature of this temple. For both devotees and history buffs who enjoy visiting temples, the temple, with its sky-high shikhar or spire and brilliant facade, is an awe-inspiring sight to admire and explore.