Maha Shivaratri arrives like an old friend every year. The night hums with the sound of bells and prayers, and the air carries the scent of jasmine and agarbatti. Across the country, devotees make their way to temples, seeking blessings, offering milk and bael leaves, lighting lamps that flicker against ancient stone walls.
If you are planning a pilgrimage this Maha Shivaratri, here are some of the most revered Shiva temples in India, where history and devotion walk hand in hand. Whether in the bustling ghats of Varanasi, the windy shores of Somnath, or the misty peaks of Kedarnath, the spirit of Shiva lingers, waiting for those who seek him.
1. Kashi Vishwanath Mandir, Varanasi
To visit Kashi is to step into India’s oldest living city. Kashi Vishwanath Temple stands by the sacred River Ganga. One of the twelve Jyotirlingas, this temple has been a beacon of faith for centuries. The temple has been destroyed and rebuilt multiple times, most notably by Ahilyabai Holkar in the 18th century. It is said that a visit here brings moksha. Whether you believe that or not, there is something about this temple that makes time feel slower, more significant.
2. Somnath Temple, Gujarat
By the Arabian Sea, where waves crash against rocks stands Somnath Temple. This temple is the first among the twelve Jyotirlingas, and has also been razed and rebuilt multiple times. The current structure was rebuilt in 1951 under the leadership of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. On Mahashivaratri, the temple courtyard fills with devotees offering prayers as the sea wind carries their voices into the night. The evening aarti against the backdrop of the ocean is a sight to behold, with the temple lights shimmering on the water.
3. Kedarnath Temple, Uttarakhand
High up in the Himalayas, where the air is crisp and the mountains loom large, Kedarnath Temple waits. Believed to have been built by the Pandavas and later revived by Adi Shankaracharya in the 8th century, Kedarnath is one of the holiest sites in Hinduism. The journey here is not for the faint of heart. The temple is often closed during Mahashivaratri due to heavy snow, but its spirit lingers in every stone.
4. Brihadeeswarar Temple, Tamil Nadu
In the town of Thanjavur stands Brihadeeswarar Temple. Built in the 11th century by Raja Raja Chola I, this UNESCO World Heritage site is one of the grandest temples in India. Its towering vimana (standing at 66 meters) is one of the tallest in the world and is made entirely of granite. Unlike other temples, this structure has no foundation, yet it has withstood the test of time. On Mahashivaratri, the mandir resounds with music, and the rhythms of Carnatic classical dance echo in the corridors.
5. Lingaraj Temple, Odisha
City of temples Bhubaneswar holds within it Lingaraj, a towering masterpiece of Kalinga architecture built in the 11th century. The deity here, known as Harihara, unites the forces of Vishnu and Shiva. The temple is one of the finest examples of temple architecture in India, with intricate carvings and a towering spire that reaches 55 meters high. On Maha Shivaratri, thousands of lamps illuminate the temple. Devotees fast, sing hymns, and wait for the grand Bhasma Aarti, where sacred ash is offered in ritual.
6. Ramanathaswamy Temple, Rameswaram
At the southern tip of India lies the Ramanathaswamy Temple. This temple is linked to the epic Ramayana itself. It is believed that Lord Rama worshipped Shiva here before his battle against Ravana. The temple is famous for having the longest corridor in the world, with intricately carved pillars stretching for 1,200 meters. Ramanathaswamy also has 22 sacred wells, where pilgrims take a ritual bath before offering prayers.
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