10 Famous Temples of Lord Shiva in the World and Their Significance
The auspicious month of Shravan has begun bringing Shiva’s devotees to their beloved Lord’s temples. The devotees happen to believe this month to be the most sacred out of all months, and they keep fasts, especially on Mondays, which is designated to Lord Shiva. Temples in India hold great significance in forming the cultural heritage of the incredible place.
So here we are going to start our journey with the famous Shiva temples in the world.-
1. Pashupatinath Temple
One of the most important religious sites for Shiva devotees in Asia. The holy Hindu temple with the largest temple complex at Kathmandu Nepal. Pashupati is regarded as the god of the animals. Shiva considered to be the supreme father of the universe has a special place in his heart for all the living beings most for the once who are mute and dependent on nature. The sacred Hindu temple lies on the banks of the river Bagmati and is in the list of UNESCO World Heritage sites.
2. Prambanan Temple
The auspicious Hindu Temple located at Yogyakarta, Indonesia, is the second-largest Hindu Temple Site in Southeast Asia, also a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is a tall, pointed, and splendour form of ancient Hindu architecture. The temple is dedicated to the Trinity, the Guardians of the Hindu mythology who are the three gods – Maheshwar the transformer, Vishnu the preserver, and Brahma – the creator.
3. Brihadisvara Temple
Located at Bhubaneswar, the temple is the great work of the Kalinga architecture. Shiva is worshipped here as Harihara the divine infusion of Vishnu and Shiva. Lingaraj especially means the King of all the dynasty, the emperor of the three dimensions of the universe. The divine mother is Adi-Parashakti the consort of Lord Shiva is called Bhuvaneshvari. There’s a story behind the temple; it is believed that the deity of Lingaraja was actually under a mango tree and it originated by the divine powers on their own and is popularly known as the within.
4. Lingaraja Temple
Located at Bhubaneswar, the temple is the great work of the Kalinga architecture. Shiva is worshipped here as Harihara the divine infusion of Vishnu and Shiva. Lingaraj especially means the King of all the dynasty, the emperor of the three dimensions of the universe. The divine mother is Adi-Parashakti the consort of Lord Shiva is called Bhuvaneshvari. There’s a story behind the temple; it is believed that the deity of Lingaraja was actually under a mango tree and it originated by the divine powers on their own and is popularly known as the Swayambhu.
5. Maa Mundeshwari Devi Temple
It is believed to be one of the oldest Shiva temples dedicated to maa Shakti and Shiva. Regular prayers are practised over here. Being one of the most ancient temples, it holds a lot of beliefs of the devotees. Shivaratri, Ramnavami, and Navratra are the famous festivals celebrated here. It is located in the Mundeshwari hills which is in Bihar.
6. Amarnath Cave
Located in the hilly regions of Jammu and Kashmir, the holy lingam of Lord Shiva is in the Amarnath Cave. A unique form of the Lord which shows the divine connection of the Lord with nature. In the 130ft high Amarnath cave, the lingam is formed due to the freezing of water droplets, the lingam again becomes formless during May and August. During the month of Shravan, devotees from all over the world walk on the holy roads of Srinagar then reach the cave and worship the sacred Lord Shiva.
7. Mahabaleshwar Temple
Located at Uttara Kannada district in Karnataka state, is regarded as holy as the temple of Kasi Vishwanath and is significantly renowned as Dakshina Kashi. The beautiful place is nature’s divine beauty with its magnificent green valleys, strawberry farms, majestic views with majestic ancient temples, and rivers. Both during the winter and the summer seasons one can visit the temple. The temple is dignified as one of the Muktishetra, which means all Hindu death rituals are practised here. Lord Shiva is also known as Bhootnath, Bhoot means future and Nath is the father. Salvation is worshipped and attained here; Shiva relieves all his devotees to move out from pain and attain the ultimate peace realizing the Paramsatya or the truth of Life.
8. Sahasralinga
A miraculous site at the banks of river Shalmala in Karnataka where thousands of Shiva lingam are seen. It is believed that the lingams were built during the 16th century by king Sadashiva Rayavaram, the King of Sirsi kingdom. During Shivratri, several pilgrims visit the holy place to worship the holy Shivlings. A unique site of divines can amaze anyone who visits the place.
9. Brahmeswara Temple
Located in Bhubaneshwar, Odisha is a holy temple of Lord Shiva. It’s one of the ancient temples of Lord Shiva where the holy god resides. It is believed that it was built by Kalavati Devi, who is the mother of the Somvanshi King Udyota Kesari, the architecture is fine to work of grandeur structures, with fine delicate carvings which makes it more prominent of the culture and historical significance the place carries. Visiting these temples makes one realize how culturally superior and luxurious Indian heritage was. Every splendid form of work relates finely to the colourful threads of spiritual divines, making it purer with the nectar of knowledge flowing from generations after generations.
10. Kanchi Kailasanathar Temple
It is the oldest ancient temple structure at Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu. The temple is unique with 58 shrines of Lord Shiva in different forms along with the majestic structure built by the great ruler NarasimhavarmanII of the dynamic Pallava Dynasty. The name of the temple means the god of the cosmic mountain ranges. Rajasimha the courageous King with the personality of that of a lion has created the entire architecture which suits his roaring personality, lions, sculpted in every direction with skilled, proficient craftsmen detailing the form of the deities so definitely making the temple premise an abode of the Adipati of the Universe – The Mahadeva.
