Famous Shiva Temples in India
India is home to a multitude of revered Shiva temples, each showcasing unique architectural splendour and rich historical significance. Today we discuss some of the most famous Shiva temples across the country, highlighting their construction details, founders, architects, and unique features. So let’s get started on a spiritual journey.
1. Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga, Ujjain
The Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga, Ujjain is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas dedicated to Lord Shiva. Believed to have been constructed by Lord Brahma. However, records state that it was built in the 6th century by Kumarasena, Ujjain’s ruler. It was later expanded upon by King Udayaditya and King Naravarman (12th century) and Ranoji Shinde (18th century). Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga, Ujjain’s is famous for its ‘Bhasm Aarti,’ performed with sacred ash. The temple features sacred motifs and detailed carvings.
2. Somnath Temple, Veraval
The Somnath Temple, Veraval, Gujarat, dates back to ancient times, believed to have been built of gold by the moon god, Somraj. Since its origin, the temple has been destroyed and rebuilt numerous times with the current iteration built by Prabhashankarbhai Oghadbhai Sompura in 1951. The Somnath Temple features the Chalukya style of Hindu temple architecture. The temple is renowned for its beautiful coastline location and its role as one of the twelve Jyotirlingas.
3. Kashi Vishwanath, Varanasi
The Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Varanasi, established in 1780 by Maharani Ahilyabai Holkar of Indore, is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Architecturally, Kashi Vishwanath features a grand golden spire and an ornate gateway. The temple is famous, as it is believed that the jyotirlinga manifested by itself.
4. Sri Arulmigu Ramanathaswamy Temple, Rameswaram
Constructed in the 12th century by the Pandya dynasty, the Sri Arulmigu Ramanathaswamy Temple or simply Ramanathaswamy Temple, Rameswaram was founded by King Raja Rama Chola. Sri Arlmigu Ramanathaswamy Temple is notable for its grand corridors and pillared halls, featuring multiple carvings and a sacred ‘Shiva Lingam.’ It is also one of the Char Dham pilgrimage sites.
5. Lingaraj Temple, Bhubaneswar
The Lingaraj Temple in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, was constructed in the 11th century by King Jajati Keshari of the Somavamsi dynasty. The temple is a classic example of Kalinga architecture. Lingaraj Temple is famous for its massive tower and the murals of several Hindu deities and mythological figures.
6. Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga, Khandwa
Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga is located within the Omkareshwar Mahadev Temple, Shivpuri Hills, Khandwa Madhya Pradesh and was built per the Peshwa architectural style. The Puranas have described it as being built 5,500 years ago. The Omkareshwar Mahadev Temple, Shivpuri has gone through multiple renovations, with the last being in the 19th century by Rani Ahilya Bai Holkar. Known for its Om-shaped island and its scenic location on the Narmada River, the temple is an essential pilgrimage site.
7. Ekambaranathar Temple, Kanchipuram
The Ekambaranathar Temple in Kanchipuram was constructed by the Chola dynasty in the 9th century. It is made of granite & stone and houses a 3,500-year-old mango tree. The Ekambaranathar Temple has a 192-foot tall gopuram, the tallest in Tamil Nadu.
8. Amarnath Temple, Srinagar
The Amarnath Temple, Srinagar located in the Himalayas, is famous for its natural ice ‘Shiva Lingam,’ formed by the seasonal melting of ice. It is situated in a cave, believed to be 5,000 years old. The Amarnath Temple, Srinagar has been a significant pilgrimage site for centuries.
9. Sree Vadakkumnathan Temple, Thrissur
Constructed in the 9-10 century the Sree Vadakkumnathan Temple in Thrissur is renowned for its traditional Kerala-style architecture. The temple’s founder is believed to be King Rajashekara Perumal, although the local legend attributes it to Lord Parsurama. The Vadakkunnathan Temple, Thrissur features an impressive ‘Nalambalam’ and ‘Kuttambalam.’
10. Kailasanathar Temple, Kanchipuram
The Kailasanathar Temple in Kanchipuram, built-in 700 CE by the Pallava dynasty under King Narasimhavarman II, is an early example of Dravidian architecture. Kailasanathar Temple’s architecture features a rectangular plan and a collection of sculptures depicting various deities and mythological scenes.
11. Pashupatinath Temple, Mandsaur
The Pashupatinath Temple in Mandsaur, Madhya Pradesh was built in the 5th century, although relics have considered the side sacred since the 2nd century. The ‘Shiva Linga’ has eight faces, hence it is also known as Asthamukhi temple.
12. Brihadisvara Temple, Thanjavur
The Brihadisvara Temple, Thanjavur, built in 1010 AD by Rajaraja Chola I, is a monumental example of Chola architecture. The architect, Kunjara Mallan Raja Rama Perunthachan, designed the Brihadisvara Temple, Thanjavur to feature an enormous dome – ‘kumbam,’ a wide Nandi statue, and a large ‘Shiva Linga.’
13. Bhimashankar Temple, Pune
The Bhimashankar Temple, Pune was built in the 13th century by the Vishwakarma sculptors. It is a prime example of the Nagara style of architecture with wooden carvings and metalwork. The ‘sabhamandap’ and ‘shikhara’ were added to the Bhimashankar Temple, Pune in the 18th century by Nana Phadnavis.
14. Kedarnath, Uttarakhand
Kedarnath, Uttarakhand, a key pilgrimage site in the Char Dham Yatra, was originally established by the Pandavas and later rebuilt in the 8th century by Adi Shankaracharya. The conical ‘Shiva Lingam’ housed within Kedarnath, Uttarakhand is made of grey stone slabs, and so is the temple complex.
15. Trimbakeshwar Shiva Temple, Nasik
The Trimbakeshwar Shiva Temple, Nasik, Maharashtra, was constructed in 1740-1760 by the third Peshwa, Balaji Bajirao. It is made from volcanic lava or basalt and is known as the Black Temple. The Trimbakeshwar Shiva Temple, Nasik has a three-headed ‘Shiva Lingam’ representing Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva.
16. Vaidyanathdham, Deoghar
Vaidyanathdham, Deoghar, is another revered Jyotirlinga temple. Believed to have been established in the mid-16th century or 1596, the Vaidyanathdham, Deoghar’s stone architectural features include the 72ft pyramidal tower, attached with the ‘punchshula,’ eight-petaled lotus, and three gold conduits. It is a shrine of Shiva and his wives.
17. Nageshwar Jyotirlinga Temple, Jamnagar
The Nageshwar Jyotirlinga Temple, Jamnagar, Gujarat was renovated by music producer Gulshan Kumar. The temple is a key Jyotirlinga site, which follows the ‘vastu-shashtra’ principles. The Nageshwar Jyotirlinga Temple, Jamnagar features arches, marble ‘jaalis,’ lotus motifs, and rounded flute columns. The motifs of ‘swastika’ and ‘kalash’ are plastered everywhere.
18. Kal Bhairav Temple, Ujjain
Kal Bhairav Temple, Ujjain is an ancient temple, which was built over an older temple, built by Bhadrasen. It was renovated in 1761 by Mahadaji Shinde, which resulted in a strong Maratha temple architecture. The Kal Bhairav Temple, Ujjain is the only temple where the idol cannot be touched and liquor is allowed. It also featured beautiful Malwa paintings, although they have since been eroded.
19. Neelkanth Mahadev Temple, Rishikesh
Neelkanth Mahadev Temple, Rishikesh, was built in 1116-1137 by Udayaditya. The Neelkanth Mahadev Temple, Rishikesh has a staggering height of 51 feet with stone carvings of both gods, goddesses, and demons.
20. Nellaiappar Temple, Tirunelveli
The Nellaiappar Temple, Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu, was constructed during the Pandya dynasty in 700 CE. Since then, the temple has been renovated numerous times by the Pallavas, Cholas, Cheras, Vijayanagaras, and the Nayaks. The Nellaiappar Temple, Tirunelveli has musical pillars, ‘Sangili Mandapam,’ a flower garden, and an 850 ft wide gopuram.
21. Maheswaram Temple, Thiruvananthapuram
Maheswaram Temple, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, is a fairly recent entry, built in 2012-2019 by the Maheshwaram Sri Siva Parvathi Temple Trust. It is made of, wood, Krishna stone, and copper leaf. The chief supervisor Mutt Maheswarananda Saraswathy, worked with Thanjavur’s stone sculptors and Thrissur’s carpenters to design the Maheswaram Temple. It is known for housing the tallest ‘Shiva Lingam’ at a height of 111.2 ft.
Image Courtesy – The India
