During the Maha Shivratri Day and the month of Shravan, devotees from all across the country visit Shiva temples and show their respect and offer prayers to the mighty God.
The glory of Lord Shiva is widespread as he is known to bless his devotees with a happy and blissful life and his worshippers adore him for generous boons. Lord Shiva is the supreme power as per the religious beliefs of Hindus, who has played a vital role in Indian culture. In diverse states of India, Lord Shiva is being worshipped in different forms. This is the reason; there are several temples of Lord Shiva in India.
India has a wide range of religious forms from season to culture. Every year hundreds of festivals are celebrated in India. During the Maha Shivratri Day and the month of Shravan, devotees from all across the country visit Shiva temples and show their respect and offer prayers to the mighty God. Here is a list of the Top 10 Shiva temples you should take a deeper look, and join the celebration.
Amarnath Temple
Amarnath cave is the most regarded Shiva temple of India, which is located in Jammu and Kashmir. The shrine plays an important role in the life of the followers of Hinduism. Positioned at an altitude of 3,888 meters, The cave is surrounded by snowcapped mountains and is covered with snow almost maximum season of the year except summer when it is open for pilgrims. Amarnath turns into a pilgrimage center for thousands of Hindu devotees every year who visit the place challenging mountainous terrains.
Kedarnath
Kedarnath Temple is Located in the Uttranchal state of India on the extreme north side of the Himalayan area, the temple remains open from April till November and receives heavy snowfall during the winter months. The temple sits at a height of 3583 m above sea level. It is one of the four major sites in India known as Chota Char Dham.
Kashi Vishwanath
Kashi Vishwanath temple is located in Varanasi(Uttar Pradesh), at the western bank of the holy river Ganga. As per Sanatan mythology, it is an old belief that those who breathe their last breath here in Kashi Vishwanath, get relieved from the cycle of birth and death. Kashi Vishwanath is famous for its gold-plated domes and spires and its Nandi Bull statue. This place is all about the divine.
Lingaraj Temple
Lingaraj Temple is one of the oldest Shiva temples in Bhubaneswar (Orissa). It is believed that the temple was constructed by the King Jajati Keshari, who belonged to the Somavamsi dynasty. The presiding deity in this temple is Lord Harihara, one of the forms of Lord Shiva. The temple has its mentioned even in the Sanskrit texts (Brahma Purana, a Hindu scripture).
Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga
Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga is one of the twelve Jyotirlingams of Lord Shiva. It is considered to be one of the most sacred abodes of Lord Shiva. Located in the ancient city of Ujjain in the Madhya Pradesh state of India, the temple is built of the edge of Rudra Sagar Lake. Lord Mahadev is the main deity of this temple, who is present there in the form of lingam and is believed to derive currents of power within himself.
Somnath Temple
Somnath Temple has been situated at such a place that there is no land in a straight line between Somnath seashore till Antarctica. The historical temple of Somnath is one of the 12 Jyotirlinga temples of India. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the temple is much admired among the devotees. The temple has been attacked and looted several times by international invaders. The current temple of Somnath was built in the year 1947 in the Chalukya style of architecture, including intricate carvings, silver doors, an impressive Nandi idol and the central Shivalinga.
Ramanathaswamy Temple
Ramanasthaswamy Temple is located on an island off the Sethu coast of Rameshwaram in Tamil Nadu. It is a holy site for the followers of Lord Shiva (Shaivites) and also for the followers of Lord Vishnu (Vaishanavites). It is also among the 12 Jyotirlinga temples of Lord Shiva. This Shiva temple was expanded during the 12th century by Pandya Dynasty.
Vaidyanath Dham
Vaidyanath Dham is one of the Jyotirlingams of India, which is located in Deoghar, Jharkhand state of India. The literal meaning of Vaidyanath is the Lord as a doctor. As per the legends, Shiva treated the slashed heads of Ravana like a doctor that he severed in order to please Lord Shiva.
The temples complex is comprised of 22 temples having dissimilar heights dedicated to various deities. Various antique elements can be seen in this temple. The auspicious occasion of Mahashivratri is celebrated here with great fervor.
Neelkanth Mahadev Temple
Neelkanth Mahadev temple is one among the most respected holy shrines of Lord Shiva, where god is worshipped as Nilkanth – a form of Lord Shiva. The site is surrounded by dense forests and located close to the mountain ranges of Nar-Narayan. Surrounded between stunning valleys, this Shiva temple is situated at the convergence of the Rivers Pankaja and Madhumati.
Bhimashankar Temple
Bhimashankar temple is located in the village Bhorgiri (Maharashtra) in the ghat region of the Sahyadri range at a height of around 3,250 feet. The temple is built in the Nagara architecture style and has historical importance. The temple is surrounded by a thick green forest and recently was declared a wildlife sanctuary. Bhimashankar Temple is also the source of the river Bhima, which flows southeast and merges with the Krishna river near Raichur.
Leave a comment