The stark blue skin, long flowing tresses, a Trishul in his hand, and his loyal Nandi by his side – it is certainly impossible to miss which beloved god is being imagined here. But could you believe that this is not his only form? You can find hundreds of Shiva temples in India that honor him very differently.
You can see him worshipped in the aniconic form of lingam while some temples remember him in his many avatars like that of Mangueshi. So, this list offers you some of the most popular temples that commemorate Lord Shiva.
12 Famous Shiva Temples in India
IamNavigato has picked from the hundreds of temples to bring you the most famous lord Shiva temples in India. Though the mystic one is said to reside high among the towering peaks, these places on land offer you a chance to catch a glimpse of him. These temples are located across the bustling shores of the South to the idyllic and remote places of the North.
| S. No. | Shiv Temple In India | Location |
| 1 | Kedarnath Temple | Uttarakhand |
| 2 | Tungnath Temple | Uttarakhand |
| 3 | Rudranath Temple | Uttarakhand |
| 4 | Madhyamaheshwar Temple | Uttarakhand |
| 5 | Kalpeshwar Temple | Uttarakhand |
| 6 | Somnath Temple | Gujarat |
| 7 | Omkareshwar Temple | Madhya Pradesh |
| 8 | Kashi Vishwanath Temple | Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh |
| 9 | Amarnath Temple | Jammu & Kashmir |
| 10 | Brihadeeswara Temple | Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu |
| 11 | Ramanathaswamy Temple | Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu |
| 12 | Lingaraja Temple | Bhubaneswar, Odisha |
1. Kedarnath Temple
The most prominent of the Panch Kedars, the Kedarnath temple is a sight to behold. This ancient temple is nestled between the Himalayan snowcapped peaks and the only way to reach it is to take an arduous trek of 22 km from the nearest road. But if you are not too keen on walking, you can take mule ride or a helicopter to this Shiva temple in India. Either way, the result of the journey is astonishing. Lastly, a must have experience is the powerful puja that happens from 4 AM to 7 AM.
Best Time to Visit: April to June
Timings: 4:00 AM to 9:00 PM
2. Tungnath Temple
If you trek for four hours from Chopta and reach an elevation of 3,500 m, you’ll find the highest Shiva temple in the world, the Tungnath Temple. This temple is so remote that ideally people have to take a 5-day trek from Rishikesh to visit it. This famous Lord Shiva temple in India is the perfect spot for meditation, where you can focus your mind and chant “Om Namah Shivay” sitting cross-legged on a lush meadow.
As the legend of the temple’s origin goes, the five Pandava brothers, the hero of the epic of Mahabharata, wanted to atone for their sins after slaying their brothers in an all-out war. So, they went searching for Lord Shiva to seek his blessings, but the god wanted to avoid them as he was deeply angry because of the dishonesty and bloodshed that happened in the battle of Kurukshetra. So, he disguised himself as a bull, residing in the Garhwal Himalayas.
As the brothers’ search continued, they reached two mountains where they saw a bull grazing. One of the Pandava brothers, Bhima, immediately recognized the god who was hiding in the form of a bull. He held him by his tail and his hind legs, but the bull dug himself into the ground and later reappeared in parts.
It is said that the hump appeared in Kedarnath, the face at Rudranath, the nabhi (navel) and stomach in Madhyamaheshwar, the hair in Kalpeshwar, and the arms in Tungnath.
Best Time to Visit: April to November
Timings: 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM
3. Rudranath Temple
This Shiva temple in India is carved into a natural rock and surrounded by lush rhododendron forest that creates a breathtaking scenery. The Rudranath Mandir is often considered as the most difficult Panch Kedar temples to reach, where you have to hike for multiple days to get to this destination. Nevertheless, it is one of the most significant Shiva temples due to its mention in the epic of Mahabharata and other ancient texts.
Best Time to Visit: May to October
Timings: 6 AM to 07:30 PM (remains closed from 01:00 PM to 04:00 PM)
4. Madhyamaheshwar Temple
The Madhyamaheshwar is situated in a picturesque landscape overlooking the Chaukhamba Mountain range. This Shiva temple in India is only reachable through a multi-day trek which leads you through a beautiful trail with commanding views. The temple itself is surrounded by green pastures which fill the mind with peace.
Inside the temple, you can find a navel-shaped Shiv-lingam that is made from a black stone. Other than that, two smaller shrines, one of Parvati Maa and another dedicated to Ardhnarishwara create a blissful aura for all the devotees.
Best Time to Visit: March to June & September – October
Timings: 6 AM to 10 PM
5. Kalpeshwar Temple
Hidden within the Garhwal mountain range, the Kalpeshwar temple is the last of the Panch Kedars, visited by thousands of devotees and pilgrims who seek the blessing of Bhole. It is not only a significant Shiva temple in India but also a source of peace and positivity for all those who visit its sacred grounds. The temple commemorates the matted locks or hair of Lord Shiva which appeared here in the cave grounds according to the legends. Another folk story tells that the noble sage Durvasa also meditated here.
Best Time to Visit: April to June & September to October
Timings: 6 AM to 7 PM
6. Somnath Temple
According to a folk legend, Somraja (the moon God) lost his light due to a curse. He regained his lustre after bathing at this site. It is said that he built this temple in gold to convey his gratitude. It was then rebuilt by Ravana in silver, Shri Krishna in wood, and Bhimdeva in stone.
But in the year 1024, the original temple was razed by Mahmud of Ghazni, who looted the place and destroyed the inner sanctum. Today, after years of rebuilding, this famous Shiva temple in India stands in its full glory by the very site it originally stood. Pilgrims throughout the country visit it to marvel at the magnificent architecture and colorful mosaic of Shiva story line. Another attraction in the temple is the 35-minute light and sound show at night.
Best Time to Visit: October to March
Timings: 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM
7. Omkareshwar Temple
Pilgrims from distant places journey to the sacred temple of Omkareshwar to seek the blessings of Mahadev and offer their prayers by the banks of the Narmada River. This Shiva temple in India is situated at the confluence of two of the most holy rivers, Narmada and Kaveri, offering a place of spiritual harmony and divine energy that purifies the soul. It is also one of the 12 important Shiv linga sights which are dotted around India and houses the only shapeless jyotir lingam.
Best Time to Visit: October to February
Timings: 5 AM to 9:30 PM
8. Kashi Vishwanath Temple
You can find Shiv temples at every turn in Varanasi, but the Kashi Vishwanath Temple is the most remarkable one. The presiding deity of this popular Shiva temple in India is the Vishveswara (or Vishwanath) – Shiva as the ruler of the universe. It is believed that the first jyotirlingam manifested itself at this place, touching which can absolve you of all your sins. Thousands of visitors – devotees, pilgrims, and tourists alike- flock to this temple just to peak and give an offering to the lingam.
Best Time to Visit: October to March
Timings: 3 AM to 11 PM
9. Amarnath Temple
In the months of June, July, and August, the state of Kashmir welcomes yatris from across the country who visit the awe-inspiring site of Amarnath. Within this huge cave is a natural ice stalagmite considered to be a Shiv Lingam. Those who visit it call the place a source of spiritual enlightenment that offers a life-changing experience.
The yatra starts from the Lidder Valley of Pahalgam and takes around 2-3 days on foot. And just like other pilgrimages, there is an abundant availability of mules which can be hired to shorten the travel time as well as to make the journey more convenient. You can even hire a helicopter ride which makes the journey only a matter of hours. The yatra to this Shiva temple in India is a powerful spiritual adventure in itself.
Best Time to Visit: June to August
Timings: 6 AM to 6 PM
10. Brihadeeswara Temple
While other Shiva temples in India offer you spiritual retreat, the Brihadeeswara Temple humbles you. Its gigantic structure that stretches across acres of land provides many interesting places where you can spend a lot of time. Several shrines are dotted around the complex, including one of the biggest statues of Nandi which faces the main temple building. If exploring this temple sounds overwhelming to you, there are guides available for hire who can put spotlight on the special areas of this colossal temple.
Best Time to Visit: December-February
Timings: 6 AM to 12:30 PM & 4 PM to 8:30 PM
11. Ramanathaswamy Temple
You can spend hours roaming around the beautifully decorated 1000-pillared halls and ornate sculptures of this Shiva temple in India. The Ramanathaswamy Temple houses one of the world’s most sacred lingams, which is said to have been built by Sita Ma, Lord Ram’s wife. As the legend goes, Ramji wanted to worship Shiva, so he asked Hanumanji to bring him the biggest Shivlingam, which happened to be in the Himalayan Mountain. But Hanumanji took too much time, so Sita Ma made a simple lingam out of sand which is now enshrined in the temple’s inner sanctum.
Best Time to Visit: October to February
Timings: 4 AM to 1 PM & 3 PM to 8 PM
12. Lingaraja Temple
The Lingaraja Temple goes back to the 1090 AD – though some parts of this Shiva temple in India are dated to be more than 1400 years old. It is dedicated to Harihara, the two gods Hari (Lord Vishnu) and Hara (Lord Shiva). Inside the main chamber, an 8 feet tall Shivling graces the temple which can only be seen by the Hindus. Thousands of devotees come to pay respect to this site, a number which only increases during important Hindu festivals like Mahashivratri and Ashokastami.
Best Time to Visit: October to February
Timings: 6:30 AM to 9 PM
Bonus: Shore Temple of Mahabalipuram
This popular Shiva temple in India is a remarkable work of architecture that has been listed as a part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Dating back to the 8th century AD, the Shore Temple of Mahabalipuram is magnificently carved and overlooks the vast Bay of Bengal. This unique marvel is a must-visit sight for all the devotees of Shaivism.
Best Time to Visit: November to February
Timings: 6 AM to 6 PM
The Last Line
Lord Shiva is among the most beloved gods who is revered and worshipped by young or old, traders or ascetics alike. Though the list of Shiva Temples in India is endless, this guide gives you the ideal glimpse of those temples that are considered to be the most popular.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q. Which is considered the most powerful Shiva temple?
A. There would be no clear winner for the most powerful Shiva temple. While some Shiva temples cleanse the body and the mind by making you undertake a long journey to visit them, some offer food for the soul through fervent pujas and prayers. The answer to this question depends on your devotion and faith.
Q. Where is the biggest Shiva temple in India?
A. The Brihadeeswara Temple, the largest Shiva temple in the world, is located in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu.
Q. Which is the oldest Shiv Temple in the world?
A. The Parasuramesvara temple, dating back to 650 CE, is believed to be the oldest Shiv temple in the world.
Also Read:
Hanuman Temples in Delhi | 10 Best Places to Visit in North India | 14 Best Places To Visit In South India
