20 Most Popular Shiva Temple in India- Lord Shiva the highest of tridev a source of devien energy is one of the most worshipped deity all across India. From mountains to sea there is no place where his tales and temples are not there. From Rameshwaram to the Kedarnath every temple of his has a story to be remembered and cherished. But are you looking for the most popular Shiva temple in India? Then Toofani khabar is here for you. Here is a list of 20 Most Popular Shiva Temple in India which you should visit for his blessings.
Kedarnath (Rudraprayag, Uttrakhand)
Kedarnath is one of the 4 chardham in India, it is a temple surrounded by mountains dedicated to lord shiva. It is one of the 12 jotirling of loard shiva. This temple is located at a hight of 11,755 feet and is not accesible by road. Devotees need to trek for 16-17 Km to reach the temple. The temple is only open for 6 months between April-November before the doors are closed for next 6 months due to heavy snow fall. The temple was struck by a disaster in 2013 but still the devotees visit the place in huge numbers.
Mahakaleshwar (Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh)
Mahakaleshwar Jotirling is situated in Ujjain Madhya Pradesh and is a serine and devien place. Mahakal is said to be the king of Ujjain and the one who takes all fear and even death. Mahakaleshwar is one of the 12 Jotirling. The temple is open 12 months and can be visited by devotees throughout the year. Nagpanchami and Shivratri are two most celebrated festival in this temple and attract a lot of people. The temple is situated near river Shipra and has a divine power. The place is easily accesible by train and buses.
Kashi Vishvanath (Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh)
Kashi Vishvanath temple located near the Ganga is one of 12 Jotirling situated in the holy city of Varanasi. Maha Shivratri is celebrated with all joy and happiness in this temple. This city holds lots of history related to the temple from it being demolished by Mohamad of Ghor to its rebuilt by Man Singh and Todar Mal in the rule of Akbar.
Somnath (Somnath, Gujrat)
Another Jotirling in our list is Somnath Temple, it is located in Gujrat and is considered first among 12 Jotirlings. Somnath was reconstructed multiple times due to being demolished by Musliminvaders like Moahumad Ghazni. It has a huge crowd visiting it all over the year and can be easyly reached through public traspotation.
Omkareshwar (Mandhata, Madhya Pradesh)
Omkareshwar is located at the bank of river Narmada, on an island named Mandhata. The island on which is located is said to be of ॐ (Om) symbol which is considered holy in hindu religion. The pilgrims who visit here take a parikrama which is 7 Km long and goes through out the island. Loard Ganesh and Goddess Anaaporna are also worshiped inside the temple.
Rameshwaram Temple ( Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu)
Rameshwaram Temple also known as Sri Arulmigu Ramanathaswamy Temple locally is another holy hindu site where lord Shiva is worshipped. This is the site were lord Ram along with goddes Seeta and Brother Lakshman prayed to lord Shiva and established this shivling after wining the war againts Ravana. Ravana was a Bhraman and Bharmhatya (Killing a Bhraman) is considered as a sin in the hindu religion. The temple is built on an island and has a beautiful architecture. This is also one of the 12 Shiv Jotirlings.
Bhimashankar (Pune, Maharashtra)
Bhimashankar is one of the three jotirlings in Maharashtra. It is located on a mountain, 110 Km away from Pune city. The original temple was said to have a swayambhu Shivling (Shivling that has emerged on its own) and the architecture of this place is Nagara Style which is not common in this region. The temple and river Bhimarathi originating from this village have an historical connection with lord shiv in purans.
Triyambakeshwar (Nashik, Maharashtra)
Next jotirling in Maharashtra is Triyambakeshwar, which is 28 Km from Nashik city. The uniqueness of this place stands in the three linga located in the temple representing Bhrama, Vishnu and Mahesh (Shiva). There is a pond Kusavarta kunda which is the origin of river Narmada which is the second longest in India. The temple has a beautiful black stone architecture and is easily reachable by road. The present structure was built by Peshwa Balaji Baji Rao after Aurangzeb Destroyed it.
Baidyanath (Deoghar, Jharkhand)
Next on our list of 20 Most popular Shiva temple stands Baidyanath Temple which is also among the 12 Jotirling. It is located in Jharkhand in Deoghar district. The temple holds a very interesting story behind its origin which is related to one of the greatest shiv bhakt (devotee of shiva) Ravana the demon king of Lanka. It is said that as Ravana pleased lord shiva he asked him to move to Lanka as a blessing, when he was caring him in form of a lingam other gods made a plan to stop him.
Ravana got trapped in there plan and had to settle in baidyanath while traveling to Lanka for a break. Ravana gave the lingam loard vishnu who came in disguise and went for a break, vishnu ji placed the lingam there and stopped Ravana from carying it to lanka. The lingam stayed there and later temple was created. It is also written in puranas that Ravana damaged the lingam in anger and hence it is still have marks.
Nageshwar Jotirling (Dwarka, Gujrat)
Nageshwar littraly meaning “God of Snakes” referring to lord shiva who adorn a snake in his neck. This is one among the 12 jotirling of lord shiva. The temple is located in the Daarukavanam forest in Dwaraka, Gujrat. The forest was named after Daruka a demoness who was devotee of Mata Parvati (wife of lord shiva). The temple has a huge shiva sculpture in meditating position which can be seen from far away. The temple has been mentioned in various purans and scriptures.
Amarnath (Pahalgam, Jammu Kahmir)
Amarnath is one of the most devine and hard to reach shiva temple on earth. Not all have access to it and it takes a full medical test to be allowed to visit it. It is located in the serene mountains of Pahalgam in Jammu Kashmir. The place is of lot of significance with a huge ice shiv ling which is inside a 40 m long cave and is said to be among the 51 shakti peeth. The temple is open only in summer season for devotes and is covered with snow and glaciers rest of the year. The temple is located at a height of 3888 m from the sea level.
Neelkanth Mahadev (Neelkanth, Uttrakhand)
Neelkanth Mahadev Temple is located in city of Rishikesh in Uttrakhand. Neelkanth (one with a blue throat) is referred to lord shiva who drank poison to save other gods. This place is said to be where he did it during the sagar manthan between gods and demons. Maha Shivratri is celebrated on a grand scale in this temple and lakhs of pilgrims visit the temple to seek blessing of loard shiva. Even after being located in the north India the temple has an architecture similar to what we see in the south.
Tungnath Temple
When talking about shiva temple how can we forget Tungnath the highest shiva temple in the world. It is also one of the panch kedar and one on the highest altitude. The story of Tungnath dates back to the time of pandavas, when loard shiva was hiding from them and took form of a bull Bheem the second pandava found him and tried to hold him. While fighting his body parts fell at 5 places know as panch kedar. His hands fell in Tungnath and since the place is worshipped by devotees.
Trijuginarayan Temple ( Uttrakhand)
Trijuginaraya Temple is another gem located in Uttrakhand with a devine story. This place is though built for Narayan that is loard vishnu who is worshiped here but has a very significant connection to lord shiva. This place is symbol of infinite love between lord shiva and godes parvati, this is the place where the two got married. The temple has an eternal fire which is said to be burning since they got married. People often marry here to keep there love holy.
Malikaarjuna (Srisailam, Andhra Pradesh)
Malikaarjuna is the last jotirling on our list of 20 Most Popular Shiva Temple in India. This temple is situated in Andhra Pradesh and has a beautiful architecture. Both lord Shiva and Parvati are worshipped here. The name Malikaarjuna comes from the jasmine flowers locally called Mallika in Telegu which is used to worship the deity. There are 4 Gopuram in the temple which are the gateway towers.
Tarkeshwar Mahadev (Lansdown, Uttrakhand)
Situated in the middle of dense forest Tarkeshwar Mahadev litrally mean the god of Tarkasur who was a demon. This place is a site of imense beauty and peace. The story of this temple is equally as intreguing as this place. Tarkasur who worshipped lord shiva for a boon meditated at the place where temple is located.
He took a blessing from lord shiva that only his son could kill him, lord shiva who was unmarried at that time accepted his wish. Later he misused his powers and shiva married parvati to get rid of his evil. Kartik the son of lord shiva killed him later. Before dying lord shiva gave him blessing that his name will be taken with him at this place.
Vadakkunnathan Temple (Thrissur, Kerela)
Vadakkunnathan Temple located in Kerela is another beautiful and one of its kind shiva temple. Not only shiva but Parvati, Ganesh, Subrahmanya and Rama are also worshipped here. This temple was originally said to be established by Parshuram who is the sixth avtar or incarnation of lord vishnu. The story behind the shiv ling present here starts from Parshuram who requested the lord of see varun to give him a piece of land.
This land came to be known as Kerela later, he wished this place to be blessed by Shiva and pleaded him to come to the place. He along with his family mata Parvati, Ganesh and Kartik (Subrahmanya) came to this place on his request. Later the lingam got emerger and they all left for kailash. The shiv lingam is now worshipped in this temple.
Mangueshi Temple (Goa)
Mangueshi Temple situated in South Goa is a popular hindu temple, lord shiva and parvati are worshipped in the temples. The temple has a very strict dressing rule for entry and you can not enter with random cloths. It has beautiful white architecture and is surrounded by mountains.
Meenakshi Temple (Madhurai, Tamil Nadu)
Meenakshi Temple is a architecture marvel where lord shiva in form of Sundareshwar and Godes Parvati as Meenakshi is worshipped. It has sculptures of deity all over the temple and has several pillars. It is a tourist attraction located in Tamil Nadu and also follows a strict dress code. There are 33000 colourful sculptures that are a treat to watch.
Murudeshvar Temple ( Uttara Kanada, Karnatak)
The temple of Murudeshvar located near the sea offers a beautiful view along with divine blessing. The temple has a tall shiva sculpture which can been seen from far away. There is a 30 story gopuram at the temple which attracts unique attention of the tourist. The 123-feet Sri Shiva idol is also one of the main attraction.
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