Best Places to Visit on Mahashivratri

Mahashivratri is a big Hindu festival and is all about celebrating Lord Shiva. This festival is celebrated on the 14th day of Phalguna every year. People all over the world pray and do special things to get Lord Shiva’s blessings on this day of Mahashivratri. Some of the best places to visit on Mahashivratri are the Somnath Temple in Gujarat and the Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain.

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Why Do We Celebrate Mahashivratri?

People have different reasons for celebrating Mahashivratri. One common belief is that it marks the wedding of Shiva and Parvati.

Also, this festival is about when Shiva saved the world by swallowing poison during the churning of the milk ocean. After that, he turned blue, earning the name ‘Nil Kanth.’

Best Places to Celebrate Mahashivratri 2024

If you’re a devotee of Lord Shiva or just curious about Indian culture, below mentioned are some of the best Shiva temples to visit during Mahashivratri. Visiting any of these places will give you a memorable experience.

1. Adiyogi – The Source of Yoga, Tamil Nadu

Adiyogi is famous for being the “Largest Bust Structure” in the world, recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records. It’s a huge image of the first yogi, made of around 500 tons of steel.

Every year, lots of people gather at the Isha Foundation of Sadhguru to celebrate Mahashivratri. Sadhguru himself leads prayers and worship during the festivities. There’s group meditation, dancing, and music, with different dance groups and musicians showing off their talents at the Isha Yoga Center.

2. Haridwar & Rishikesh, Uttarakhand

Mahashivratri is a great time to visit Haridwar and Rishikesh with your friends or family because the weather is getting warmer and the days are pleasant. These places are full of temples and riverbanks where people come to cleanse themselves of sins.

You can take a dip in Haridwar’s Har ki Pauri, visit the Prajapati Daksha Mahadev Temple in old Kankhal, and see lots of people during Mahashivratri. Or you can go to the Neel Kanth Mahadev Temple in Rishikesh, perched on top of a forested mountain, to feel the festive vibe of Mahashivratri.

3. Ramanathaswamy Temple, Tamil Nadu

Rameswaram temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It’s one of the 12 Jyotirlinga temples. The temple has a long corridor with intricately carved pillars, stretching over 1,200 meters. There are also 22 wells in the temple complex where people believe bathing will wash away their sins. Lots of Hindus come here on pilgrimage.

These are just some of the many famous Shiva temples in India. Each temple has its own history and significance, and they’re all powerful places for Shiva devotees. Whether you’re a spiritual seeker or just love history and architecture, these temples are worth visiting.

4. Baidyanath Temple, Jharkhand

Baidyanath Temple is a big Hindu temple in Deoghar, Jharkhand. It’s one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, which are really important to Shiva devotees. The temple complex is huge and has lots of smaller shrines and ponds. The main temple is really intricate and has lots of carvings and sculptures. People from all over the country come here to pray and seek blessings from Lord Shiva. The temple’s annual festival, Shravani Mela, is a big deal and attracts millions of devotees every year.

5. Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Varanasi

This temple in Varanasi, India, is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas. It’s a really famous Hindu temple with a rich history and cultural significance. Millions of devotees from all over the world come here to seek blessings, especially on Mahashivratri and Shivratri.

6. Nataraja Temple, Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu

The Nataraja Temple in Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu, is one of the oldest and most important temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. It’s famous for its unique architecture and the presence of the cosmic dancer, Nataraja, in its inner sanctum. The main deity of the temple is the Akasha Lingam, which represents space.

The temple complex also has lots of other shrines and buildings, including the Kanaka Sabha or Golden Hall, which is covered in intricate carvings and sculptures. Devotees come here for the spiritual significance and cultural heritage, making it a popular tourist spot in Tamil Nadu.

It’s believed to be over 1,000 years old and is one of the five holiest temples in South India. The temple is known for its beautiful carvings, impressive architecture, and spiritual importance, and is considered a masterpiece of Chola art and architecture.

7. Mahakaleshwar Temple, Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh

Mahakaleshwar Temple is a Hindu temple in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh. It’s one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, which are really important to Shiva devotees. The temple is next to the Shipra River and is a popular pilgrimage site for Hindus.

The temple was built in the 5th century CE, but it’s been renovated many times since then. The current temple architecture was built in the 18th century by the Maratha ruler, Ranoji Shinde. The lingam in the temple is said to have appeared on its own, without being built by humans. The temple also has statues of other Hindu gods, including Ganesh, Parvati, and Kartikeya.

The temple is famous for its bhasm aarti, a ritual where ash is used to worship the deity. This aarti happens early in the morning and is one of the most important rituals in the temple. The temple is also known for its big evening aarti, which lots of devotees come to see. The temple is famous for its grand architecture and rich cultural heritage, and millions of devotees visit it every year, especially on Mahashivratri and Shivratri.

8. Somnath Temple, Gujarat

Lots of devotees visit Somnath Temple in Gujarat every year on Mahashivaratri to celebrate this special day. It’s on the shores of the Arabian Sea and is believed to be the first of the twelve jyotirlinga shrines of Shiva.

The temple is also really famous for its detailed carvings and big architecture. According to legends, the temple was built in four stages – first in gold by Lord Soma, then in silver by Ravi, then in wood by Lord Krishna, and finally in stone by king Bhimadeva.

9. Sri Brihadeeswara Temple, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu

Sri Brihadeeswara Temple, also known as Periya Kovil or RajaRajeswara Temple, is one of the biggest temples in India dedicated to Lord Shiva. It was built during the Chola period in the 11th century by King Raja Raja Chola I and is considered a masterpiece of Chola architecture.

The temple has a huge tower that’s over 60 meters tall and is covered in detailed carvings and sculptures. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site and attracts thousands of people from all over the world who come to seek Lord Shiva’s blessings.

10. Pashupatinath Temple, Nepal

Crossing into Nepal, Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu is a really old and spiritual place. Mahashivratri is celebrated here with lots of enthusiasm, as thousands of pilgrims come to pay their respects to Lord Pashupatinath, Nepal’s main deity. The rhythmic chants of ‘Om Namah Shivaya’ fill the air, creating a really special atmosphere of devotion.

FAQs

1. What is Mahashivratri?

Mahashivratri is a significant festival in the Hindu calendar dedicated to the worship of Lord Shiva. It falls on the 14th day of Phalguna (February-March) and holds immense spiritual significance for devotees worldwide.

2. Why do people celebrate Mahashivratri?

Mahashivratri is celebrated to honor Lord Shiva and commemorate various mythical events associated with him, including his wedding to Goddess Parvati and his divine intervention in saving the world by consuming poison during the churning of the milk ocean (Samudra Manthan).

3. What are the differences between Shivratri and Mahashivratri?

Shivratri and Mahashivratri are distinct occasions. Shivratri celebrates the night of Lord Shiva’s cosmic dance, while Mahashivratri specifically honors his marriage to Goddess Parvati and other significant mythological events.

4. What are some famous Shiva temples to visit during Mahashivratri?

Some renowned Shiva temples to visit during Mahashivratri include the Somnath Temple in Gujarat, Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain, Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi, and Ramanathaswamy Temple in Rameswaram, among others.

5. How is Mahashivratri celebrated in different parts of India?

Mahashivratri is celebrated with fervor and enthusiasm across India. Devotees observe fasts, perform ritualistic prayers and offer special offerings to Lord Shiva. Temples organize elaborate ceremonies, cultural events, and processions, creating a vibrant atmosphere of devotion and spirituality.