The glory of Lord Shiva is widespread as he is known to bless his devotees with a happy and blissful married life and his devotees worship him for his bountiful boons. According to the religious beliefs of Hindus, Lord Shiva is the supreme power, who has played an important role in Indian culture. In mythology, he has been a peaceful entity as well as a fiery deity for his contrasting personalities. Lord Shiva is worshipped on Mahashivratri. Celebrations are organised and Shivalingam is worshipped. People usually keep fast on this special eve. There are many Shiva temples in India to celebrate this special occasion on a grand scale. Mahashivratri is celebrated in different forms in different states of India.Here are top 5 Shiva Temples in India where every Shiva devotee should visit.
Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga, Ujjain
Dedicated to Lord Shiva, Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga is a Hindu Shiva temple and one of the twelve Jyotirlingas. It is considered one of the most sacred abodes of Lord Shiva. Located in the ancient city of Ujjain in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, this temple is built on the banks of Rudra Sagar Lake. Lord Shiva is the main deity of this temple, who is present there in the form of Lingam and is believed to generate currents of power within him.
Brihadeeswarar Temple, Thanjavur
Dedicated to Lord Shiva, Brihadeeswarar Temple is one of the most recognized Hindu temples in Thanjavur. It is an excellent example of fully recognized Dravidian architecture. The temple has a huge pillared corridor and one of the largest Shiva Lingas in India. Known for the excellence of its sculpture – the brass Nataraja, the Shiva temple also includes shrines of Nandi, Goddess Parvati, Lord Kartikeya, Lord Ganesha, Sabhapati, Dakshinamurthy, Chandeshwar, Varahi and others.
Bhimashankar Temple, Pune
Located 127 km from Shivajinagar in the Ghat region of the Sahyadri Hills, Bhimashankar Temple is one of the most popular temples of Lord Shiva and also a Jyotirlinga temple. This temple is a perfect blend of old and new structures in Nagara style architecture. It displays the excellence of skill acquired by Vishwakarma sculptors. This grand temple dates back to the 13th century but its assembly hall was built by Nana Fadnavis in the 18th century. It is one of the must-see attractions of the city.
Kedarnath, Uttarakhand
In the Indian state of Uttarakhand, Kedarnath is a popular Shiva temple which is one of the major sites of 'Chardham Yatra'. Located on the Garhwal Himalayan range close to the Mandakini River, it is a highly revered Shiva temple among Hindus around the world. This temple is situated at an altitude of about 3583 meters and receives heavy snowfall in winter. Grand celebrations are held on the holy festival of Mahashivratri.
Somnath Temple, Veraval
The historical temple of Somnath is one of the 12 Jyotirlinga temples of India. This temple dedicated to Lord Shiva is very popular among the devotees. The temple was attacked and looted several times by international invaders. The present temple of Somnath was built in the year 1947, featuring Chalukya style architecture, located near the beach. On Maha Shivratri, the temple becomes a place of attraction for the visitors.