Translating into the Great Night of Shiva, Mahashivratri is a vibrant and spiritually charged Hindu festival celebrated with gusto across the Indian subcontinent. Falling on the 14th night of the lunar month of Phalguna, typically in February or March, this night is dedicated to honoring Lord Shiva.
This is more than just a festival, it’s an event where devotees immerse themselves in prayer, meditation, rituals, and spiritual elevation – an experience you can have in the many Shiva temples dotted across the country. To immerse yourself in this, here’s a list of the prominent Shiva Temples in India you can visit this Mahashivratri.
Shiva Temples To Visit In India
- Kashi Vishwanath Jyotirlinga, Varanasi
- Murudeshwar Temple, Murudeshwar
- Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga, Ujjain
- Brihadeeswara Temple, Tanjore
- Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga, Triambak
- Lord Bhimeswara Swami Temple, Draksharama
- Thillai Nataraja Temple, Chidambaram
1. Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Varanasi
Varanasi, Benaras, or Kashi Vishwanath – this is the land of peace and divinity. Being one of the 12 Jyotirlinga shrines, Mahashivratri is celebrated here with incredible enthusiasm. If you’re one to celebrate, this is how you can make it more authentic. You can fast for the day and to make it a tad bit more challenging, go for the nirjal vrath or the no-water fast.
And don’t worry, your day will go by quickly if you immerse yourself in the chants and prayers dedicated to the Lord. Once the sun sets, you can break your fast and relish some tasty food! Your fatigue from the day will vanish when you hear the temple bell ringing continuously and bhajans resonating and filling the air with positive vibes.
Nearest Airport: Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport, Varanasi (approximately 26 km away)
Nearest Railway Station: Varanasi Junction (approximately 4 km away)
2. Murudeshwar Temple, Murudeshwar
If you spot a flock of decked-up married couples visiting this temple on Mahashivratri, don’t worry you’re not at the marriage hall, it is indeed a temple. The festival celebrates the union of Lord Shiva and his consort Goddess Parvati. The union symbolizes eternal wait and love, virtues that couples seek and pray for when they visit the temple.
The Murudeshwar Temple is situated on the Kanduka hill in Karnataka and is surrounded by the Arabian Sea. Did you know that this temple houses the second-tallest statue of Lord Shiva in the world? The statue stands tall at 37 meters and portrays the Lord in deep meditation. Apart from the intricate carvings on the walls of the temples, the surrounding scenery of the statue juxtaposed against the sea is a sight to behold!
Nearest Airport: Mangaluru International Airport, Mangalore (approximately 153 km away)
Nearest Railway Station: Murdeshwar (approximately 3 km away)
3. Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga, Ujjain
Located beside the Shipra River, Ujjain is a historic city with several stories of the Lord. The temple is one of the many Jyotirlingas dedicated to Lord Shiva. It’s known as Mahakaleshwar because here Lord Shiva is referred to as the Lord of Time.
Speaking of time, make sure that you wake up super early – you want to witness the famous Bhasm Aarti that takes place at 4 in the morning. In this ritual, the Lord is woken up with bhasma (sacred ash). In the past, fresh ash from a crematorium was used for this aarti (though now it’s no longer done). After all, Lord Shiva is known as the Shmashanavasin – the Lord of the Cremation Ground.
Apart from the temple, you can also explore the Mahakal Lok corridor which has 108 pillars or stambhs that depict the Anand Tandav Swaroop or the Dance of the Lord.
Nearest Airport: Devi Ahilyabai Holkar International Airport, Indore (approximately 57 km away)
Nearest Railway Station: Ujjain Junction (approximately 1.5 km away)
4. Brihadeeswara Temple, Tanjore
Situated in the historic town of Tanjore, locally known as Thanjavur, the Brihadeeswara temple is a stunning and age-old engineering marvel by the Chola Dynasty. It’s ironic as the temple is a display of the power of the ruling dynasty but it’s also a humble homage to Lord Shiva. Even if you’re not a believer, you must visit the temple for its sheer architecture that’ll amaze you.
Inside the temple, is the famous temple tower, Vimana, which is one of the tallest in the world. Although Tanjore is known as the city of temples, there’s a lot more to the city that makes it worth a visit like its rich culture, paintings, antiques, and of course the tastiest laddoos!
Brihadeeswara Temple is all the more special during Mahashivratri. It’s around this festival you can witness the Thanjavur Dance Festival, where classical Indian dancers perform to pay tribute to Lord Shiva, the Cosmic Dancer.
Nearest Airport: Tiruchirappalli International Airport, Tiruchirappalli (approximately 61 km away)
Nearest Railway Station: Thanjavur Junction (approximately 1.5 km away)
5. Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga, Trimbak
To experience Mahashivratri in any Shiva temple can be a fulfilling spiritual experience, but to be at the Trimbakeshwar temple in Maharashtra is something else. Why? If you thought getting the darshan of the Lord at one temple was sufficient, at Trimbakeshwar you get to see the Holy Trinity of Hinduism. The idol here is 3-facing, representing the Trimurti, Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu, and Lord Shiva.
While the visiting queues here can get extremely long and tiresome, there’s a procession that’s carried out on Mahashivratri with the Triambak Raja in a palanquin. The procession ends with the Lord returning to his abode at the temple, followed by prayers and chants that begin at 10 in the night and go on till midnight.
Nearest Airport: Nashik International Airport (approximately 57 km away)
Nearest Railway Station: Igatpuri (approximately 57 km away)
6. Lord Bhimeswara Swamy Temple, Draksharama
Located on the eastern bank of River Godavari, the Bhimeswara Swamy Temple is one of the most important temples in Andhra Pradesh that is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It’s often called Dakshin Kashi or Kashi of the South. The architecture of this temple is exotic with intricate scriptures, symbols, and visuals carved on the pillars.
Mahashivratri is one of the many festivals celebrated here with grandeur and devotion. The temple hosts a holy puja and welcomes devotees who visit to seek blessings. On the day of Mahashivratri, you can do seva or service for the Lord by preparing food and serving people. Besides the temple, you can take a dip in the Godavari River or explore the town of Rajahmundry which is only 40 km away.
Nearest Airport: Rajahmundry Airport, Rajamahendravaram (approximately 47 km away)
Nearest Railway Station: Kakinada Town (approximately 13 km away)
7. Thillai Nataraja Temple, Chidambaram
Chidambaram is the hidden gem of Tamil Nadu and this temple in the town is what shines through. Located by the Vellar River, this town is known for its temples and the majestic gopurams (entrance tower). The Thillai Nataraja Temple is dedicated to Nataraja, the dancer form of Lord Shiva.
Did you know that this temple is one of the few temples in India that has the human-like idol of Lord Shiva instead of the Lingam form? According to legend, Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu strolled in the Thillai Forest disguised as simple mendicants. The saint community settled in the woods was enraged when they saw their wives enchanted by the Lord’s beauty. Furious, the saints cast several magical spells to harm the Lord who simply donned each of the spells as an ornament on his body, making the saints realize his greatness.
Spread across 50 acres, the temple has 5 courts, 4 huge gopurams, and a massive pond. Visit the temple at night so you can watch the stunning lights that accentuate the charm tenfold. A word of advice? Reserve a room in a hotel nearby so you can go to the temple early as it does get crowded and you might run out of parking spots if you’re traveling by your own vehicle.
Nearest Airport: Tiruchirappalli International Airport, Tiruchirappalli (approximately 155 km away)
Nearest Railway Station: Chidambaram (approximately 2 km away)
Summing Up
The festival of Mahashivratri presents you with a reason to not only plan a vacation but also allow you to take time off the materialistic bustle and head for a spiritual retreat. You may visit any of these famous Shiva temples in India and perhaps find that peace that we all seek.
FAQs
Which Temple To Visit On Mahashivratri?
- Amarnath Temple – Jammu & Kashmir
- Kailasa Temple – Ellora, Maharashtra
- Lingaraja Temple – Bhubaneswar, Odisha
- Somnath Temple – Somnath, Gujarat
- Mallikarjuna Temple – Srisailam, Andhra Pradesh
Should We Go To A Temple On Mahashivratri?
On Mahashivratri, devotees visit Shiva temples, offer prayers, and perform Shiva Archana. Not only are the Shiva temples in India crowded, but the Shiva temples internationally too witness many devotees.
Which Is The Most Powerful Temple Of Lord Shiva?
The 12 jyotirlingas in India are considered to be the most prominent Shiva temples.
Why Is Mahashivaratri Special?
Mahashivratri is a special festival that celebrates multiple legends of Lord Shiva. One of them is his sacred union with Goddess Parvati. Another reason is to celebrate the Lord who consumed the poison that emerged while churning the ocean for elixir, to save the universe.
Which Color To Wear On Maha Shivratri?
While there isn’t a particular color you must wear on this day, there’s a color that you can avoid– black. You, however, can wear bright colors like yellow, red, or saffron.
Who Is Lord Shiva’s Favorite Animal?
Nandi Deva or the bull is Lord Shiva’s favorite animal and also his vahan or mode of transport.
