Lord Shiva, also known as Mahadev, is one of the most revered deities in Hinduism. He is worshipped in various forms across India, and numerous temples are dedicated to him. The festival of Mahashivratri marks the wedding day of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, and on this day, devotees visit Shiva temples to offer prayers, observe fasts, and seek blessings. If you are a Shiva devotee, here are the top 20 Shiva temples in India that you must visit.

1. Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga, Ujjain

Located in Madhya Pradesh, Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva. Situated near the Rudra Sagar Lake, the temple is famous for its Bhasma Aarti, which takes place early in the morning.

2. Brihadeeswara Temple, Thanjavur

This magnificent temple in Tamil Nadu showcases stunning Dravidian architecture. It houses one of the largest Shiva lingams in India and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

3. Omkareshwar Temple, Madhya Pradesh

Situated on the Narmada River on an island named Shivapuri, Omkareshwar is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas. The temple is known for its spiritual aura and scenic surroundings.

4. Bhimashankar Temple, Maharashtra

Located in the Sahyadri Hills, Bhimashankar Temple is an ancient Shiva shrine with beautiful Nagara-style architecture. It is also a famous trekking destination.

5. Kedarnath Temple, Uttarakhand

Situated in the Himalayas, Kedarnath is one of the most sacred temples in India and an important part of the Char Dham Yatra. The temple remains covered in snow during winter.

6. Trimbakeshwar Temple, Maharashtra

Located near Nasik, this temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and houses three lingams representing Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh (Shiva).

7. Baidyanath Dham, Jharkhand

Also known as Vaidyanath Jyotirlinga, this temple is associated with the legend of Ravana worshipping Lord Shiva.

8. Vadakkunnathan Temple, Kerala

Located in Thrissur, this temple is said to be built by Lord Parshurama. It is famous for the Thrissur Pooram festival and the offering of ghee to the deity.

9. Somnath Temple, Gujarat

One of the most significant Jyotirlingas, Somnath Temple has been destroyed and rebuilt several times in history. It is located near the Arabian Sea.

10. Nageshwar Temple, Gujarat

Situated between Dwarka and Bet Dwarka, this temple has a 25-meter tall statue of Lord Shiva and a beautiful garden.

11. Ramanathaswamy Temple, Rameswaram

Located on Rameswaram Island, this temple has the longest temple corridor in India. It is an important pilgrimage site in South India.

12. Grishneshwar Temple, Maharashtra

Situated near Ellora Caves, this is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas and has been reconstructed multiple times in history.

13. Kal Bhairav Temple, Ujjain

Dedicated to Kal Bhairav, a fierce form of Lord Shiva, this temple is unique because liquor is offered as Prasad.

14. Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Varanasi

Located in Varanasi, this temple is one of the most sacred Shiva temples. Devotees believe that visiting Kashi Vishwanath leads to salvation.

15. Lingaraj Temple, Bhubaneswar

This temple in Odisha is an architectural marvel with a 180-foot tall tower and multiple shrines.

16. Mangueshi Temple, Goa

Dedicated to Lord Manguesh, a form of Lord Shiva, this temple is one of the most visited religious sites in Goa.

17. Neelkanth Mahadev Temple, Rishikesh

This temple is located in Uttarakhand amidst dense forests and mountain valleys. It is believed that Lord Shiva drank poison here, which turned his throat blue (Neelkanth).

18. Amarnath Cave Temple, Jammu & Kashmir

Located at an altitude of 3,888 meters, this cave shrine houses a naturally forming ice Shiva Lingam and is open only during summer.

19. Nellaiappar Temple, Tamil Nadu

This temple in Tirunelveli is dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati and is known for its musical pillars and large temple complex.

20. Maheswaram Temple, Kerala

This temple in Thiruvananthapuram is famous for its intricate wooden carvings and stone sculptures. It is open to people from all religions and castes.

Plan Your Pilgrimage

If you are planning to visit these divine Shiva temples, make sure to plan your journey well. Many of these temples have nearby airports and good road connectivity. Mahashivratri is the best time to visit as grand celebrations take place across all these sacred sites.

Experience the divine presence of Lord Shiva and immerse yourself in spiritual bliss!

Also Read About:- 12 Jyotirlingas in India