Spiritual Odyssey: 10 Shiva Temples In India That You Must Visit

Waquar Habib

Kedarnath Temple, Uttarakhand

The highest Shiva temple of India, Kedarnath, is situated at 11,755 ft above sea level. It is a part of the Char Dham pilgrimage circuit. The monument was built by Adi Shankaracharya in the 8th century in Rekha-Shikhara style.

Kedarnath Temple | Shutterstock

Amarnath Temple, Jammu and Kashmir

The Amarnath Temple is a famous Shiva cave temple in India situated at 12,756 ft above sea level. The cave temple is most famous for the ice stalagmite in the shape of the Shivalinga symbolising the powers of Lord Shiva.

Amarnath Temple | Shutterstock

Somnath Temple, Gujarat

The Somnath is a magnificent Shiva temple situated in Sagar Kant. The temple has fine carvings, engravings, and designs complete with images, paintings and sculptures. The temple is on a site mentioned in poems of Kalidasa.

Somnath Temple | Shutterstock

Mahakaleshwar Temple, Madhya Pradesh

Situated along the side of the holy river Shipra, Mahaleshwar is another highly sacred Shiva temple of India. The temple is a beautiful five-level structure, grand and majestic and is adorned by the most artistic sculptures.

Mahakaleshwar Temple | Shutterstock

Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Uttar Pradesh

The Kashi Vishwanath is famous for its gold-plated domes and spires along with its Nandi Bull statue. Situated along the holy Ganges, the temple holds immense significance and is part of the 12 Jyotirlingas dedicated to Lord Shiva.

Kashi Vishwanath Temple | Wikimedia Commons

Nataraja Temple, Tamil Nadu

Chidambaram Nataraja or Thillai Nataraja is a Shiva temple characterised by an exceptional architectural quality. It was built under the Chola Dynasty in the 10th century showcasing Lord Shiva as the master of Koothu-Bharata Natyam.

Nataraja Temple | Shutterstock

Lingaraj Temple, Odisha

The Lingaraj Temple is an exquisite example of the Kalinga style architecture dedicated to Lord Shiva. It was built by Somvanshi King Yayati I in red stone and exhibits brilliant architectural elements within its premises.

Lingaraj Temple | Shutterstock

Murudeshwara Temple, Karnataka

The Shiva temple Murudeshwara has the second-highest statue of Lord Shiva and is set in a picturesque background of the Arabian Sea. The temple is perched on 123 ft on the Kanduka Hill which makes the statue highly attractive to look.

Murudeshwara Temple | Shutterstock

Trimbakeshwar Temple, Maharashtra

The Trimbakeshwar Shiva Temple is an ancient structure and a part of the twelve Jyotirlingas. Inspired by the shape of the Sahyadri Mountain, the temple has three sides with huge pillars that are intricately carved.

Trimbakeshwar Temple | Shutterstock

Srikalahasteeswara Temple, Andhra Pradesh

Situated on the site where Kannappa was ready to offer his eyes to cover blood flowing from the linga before Shiva stopped and granted him moksha, the Srikalahasteeswara temple was constructed in the 11th century by Rajendra Chola I.

Srikalahasteeswara Temple | Shutterstock