Must Visit Temples Dedicated to Lord Shiva in India

Lord Shiva, who is often regarded as the destroyer of the universe as well as the creator, is one of the most benevolent Gods of the Hindu religion. Many believe that if a person worships him with sincere thoughts then, he can get any of his wishes fulfilled. There are 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva scattered all over the parts of India and each temple has something different to offer its devotee. Hundreds of pilgrims travel to these famous Lord Shiva temples every day with the hope of earning some of his precious blessings and asking for a healthy life.

So, below is the list of some of the must-visit temples of Lord Shiva scattered in the different parts of the country. For more information on Jyotirlingas journeys, you can also check our Jyotirlinga Tour Package deals.

Kedarnath Temple, Uttarakhand

• Location: Rudraprayag, Uttarakhand
• Timings: 4 am – 9 pm
• Entrance Fee: Free
• Best Time to Visit: The ideal time to visit is during the pilgrimage season, typically from May to October, with June to September offering pleasant weather.
• How to Reach Kedarnath
  • Reach Sonprayag by road from Rishikesh or Dehradun.
  • From Sonprayag, choose between trekking, pony rides, or palanquin rides to reach Gaurikund.
  • Complete the journey with a challenging 16-18 kilometer trek from Gaurikund to Kedarnath.
  • Alternatively, helicopter services are available for a quicker but costlier option.

Kedarnath should be on your travel priority list because the journey to this temple is straight out of a fairy tale. Walking along with the pine trees on a stone-paved path towards the beautiful Mandakini mountain becomes a walk of memories. And after walking about 16 km of distance, you will reach the temple complex where both hotness of the sun and the coldness of the moon dominates the weather. Finally, walking the long queue, you can pay your respect to the statue of Lord Shiva.

• Also Read: Kedarnath Dham Travel Guide

Somnath, Gujarat

• Location: Somnath, Prabhas Patan, Gujarat
• Timings: 6:00 AM – 10 PM
• Entrance Fee: Free
• Best Time to Visit: The temple is suitable for visits throughout the year. However, the winter months (October to March) offer pleasant weather with milder temperatures.
• How to Reach
  • By Air: The nearest airport is Diu Airport (approximately 90 kilometers away), with regular flights from major Indian cities.
  • By Train: The nearest railway station is Veraval Railway Station, which is well-connected to major cities in India.
  • By Road: Prabhas Patan is accessible by road and is well-connected to nearby towns and cities.

Somnath is an ancient Lord Shiva temple located in the Saurashtra region of Gujarat. This temple is also accounted for among the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva and is revered with great faith by the people of the Hindu community. It is also reported that the temple has seen many historical events and also lived through various invasions by foreigners because of its gems and pieces of jewelry repositories. The temple also overlooks an amazing view of the Arabian Sea.

Kashi Vishwanath, Varanasi

• Location: Vishwanath Gali, near Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
• Timings: 2:30 am to 11:00 pm
• Entrance Fee: Free
• Best Time to Visit
  • Early mornings and evenings are the best times to visit for a less crowded and spiritually immersive experience.
  • The temple can be visited throughout the year, but the winter months (October to March) offer more pleasant weather.
• How to Reach
  • By Air: The nearest airport is Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport in Varanasi, with domestic and limited international flights.
  • By Train: Varanasi Junction (Varanasi Cantt) is a major railway station well-connected to major cities in India.
  • By Road: Varanasi has a network of roads and is accessible by bus, car, and taxi.

Kashi Vishwanath is another very popular Lord Shiva temple that attracts thousands of pilgrims every year. Millions believe that if a person ever visits this temple in Varanasi in his entire life then, he/she gets liberated from the cycle of life and often attains salvation. There is a popular kind of spiritual aura in the air of Varanasi that if a person visits this holy place once then, they go back to this place many times. Apart from this temple, one can also visit the famous Ghats of Varanasi.

• Suggested Tour: Varanasi Tour Packages

Trimbakeshwar Temple, Maharashtra

• Location: Nashik, Maharashtra
• Timings: 5:30 AM to – 9:00 PM
• Entrance Fee: Free
• Best Time to Visit:
  • The best time to visit Trimbakeshwar Temple is during the non-monsoon months of September to February when the weather is pleasant.
  • Devotees often visit during the auspicious period of Shravan (July to August) for special rituals.
• How to Reach
  • By Air: The nearest airport is Nashik Airport (approximately 40 kilometers away) with limited domestic flights.
  • By Train: Nashik Road Railway Station is the nearest major railhead, well-connected to various cities.
  • By Road: Trimbakeshwar is accessible by road from Nashik and nearby cities. Regular buses and taxis are available.

Trimbakeshwar is another Jyotirlinga temple standing alongside the Godavari River and is about 28 km away from Nashik city. The temple is presumed to be constructed by the famous Maratha King Balaji Baji Rao and is greatly revered by the people of the Maratha community. The temple is totally built with black stone and worship Lord Shiva lingam with three distinct faces depicting the faces of Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu, and Lord Rudra.

Ramanathaswamy, Tamil Nadu

• Location: Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu 623526
• Timings: 5:00 AM to – 9 PM
• Entrance Fee: Free
• Best Time to Visit
  • The best time to visit Ramanathaswamy Temple is during the winter months from October to March when the weather is pleasant.
  • The temple attracts a significant number of pilgrims during festivals like Mahashivratri and Navaratri.
• How to Reach
  • By Air: The nearest airport is Madurai Airport (approximately 170 kilometers away) with domestic flights.
  • By Train: Rameswaram Railway Station is well-connected to major Indian cities.
  • By Road: Rameswaram is accessible by road from various cities in Tamil Nadu and neighboring states. Regular bus and taxi services are available.

Ramanathaswamy Temple is another very beautiful Lord Shiva temple built on an island called Rameswaram. Many devotees believe that it was the very place where Lord Rama worshipped a statue of Lord Shiva in the wake of asking forgiveness for all the sins that he committed during the war with Lord Ravana. The mesmerizing art and construction of this temple will surely enchant any soul and also liven up your spirituality in yourself.

Amarnath Temple, Kashmir

• Location: Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir 192230
• Timings: 6 AM to 9 PM
• Entrance Fee: Free
• Best Time to Visit
  • The best time to visit Amarnath Temple is during the annual Amarnath Yatra when the cave shrine is accessible.
  • The yatra usually takes place in July and August when the weather is relatively favorable.
• How to Reach
  • By Trek: The traditional way to reach the temple is by trekking from Pahalgam or Baltal. The trek is physically demanding and requires registration.
  • By Helicopter: Helicopter services are available from Srinagar, Pahalgam, and Baltal for a quicker but more expensive journey.

Amarnath Temple is not a short visit, it is a journey in itself that takes you through the pristine beauty of Kashmir and shares with you some of the beautiful secrets of nature. The temple worships an ice amalgam of Lord Shiva which is believed to support this form in any weather condition. The journey registers millions of devotees every year who come to pay their hearty respect to the ice statue of Lord Shiva and earn his precious blessings in return.

• Suggested Tour: Amarnath Yatra Packages

Jageshwar Temple

• Location: Jageshwar, Uttarakhand, India
• Timings: 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM
• Best Time to Visit: March to June and September to November
• Nearest Railway Station: Kathgodam Railway Station
• Distance from Kathgodam: Approximately 125 kilometers
• Transportation: Taxi or bus available from Kathgodam to Jageshwar.

Jageshwar Temple, situated in the serene and lush green forests of Uttarakhand, India, is a sacred haven for devotees of Lord Shiva. This ancient temple complex, nestled amidst towering deodar trees, encompasses a cluster of beautifully carved stone temples dedicated to various forms of Lord Shiva. The primary temple, housing the revered Jyotirlinga, exudes an aura of profound spirituality and timeless devotion. With its intricate architectural marvels and a tranquil ambiance, Jageshwar Temple beckons pilgrims and seekers alike to experience a deep connection with the divine, making it not only a religious destination but also a place of serenity and reflection in the lap of the Himalayas.

Nageshwar Temple

• Location: Dwarka, Gujarat, India
• Timings: 6:00 AM to 12:00 PM, 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM
• Best Time to Visit: October to March
• Nearest Railway Station: Dwarka Railway Station
• Transportation: Dwarka is well-connected by road and rail; taxis and local transport available to the temple.

Nageshwar Temple, located in the coastal town of Dwarka in Gujarat, India, is a sacred Hindu shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva. This ancient temple holds immense significance as it is believed to house one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, which are revered as the most powerful and divine representations of Lord Shiva. The temple’s architecture reflects a blend of traditional and modern styles, and its serene location overlooking the Arabian Sea adds to its charm. Pilgrims and devotees flock to Nageshwar Temple to seek blessings, perform rituals, and experience a profound connection with the divine in a tranquil and spiritually charged setting.

Bagnath Temple

• Location: Bageshwar, Uttarakhand, India
• Timings: 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM
• Best Time to Visit: April to June and September to November
• Nearest Railway Station: Kathgodam Railway Station
• Distance from Kathgodam: Approximately 178 kilometers
• Transportation: Taxi or bus available from Kathgodam to Bageshwar.

Bagnath Temple, situated in the picturesque town of Bageshwar in Uttarakhand, India, is a revered Hindu shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva. This ancient temple complex is renowned for its serene location at the confluence of the rivers Saryu and Gomti, surrounded by the Himalayan mountains. The main temple, adorned with intricate stone carvings, houses the deity of Lord Bageshwar, another manifestation of Lord Shiva. Pilgrims visit this sacred site to offer prayers and seek blessings, especially during the Maha Shivaratri festival when it attracts a large number of devotees.

Madmaheshwar Temple

• Location: Garhwal Himalayas, Uttarakhand, India
• Timings: 5:00 AM to 7:00 PM
• Best Time to Visit: May to June and September to October
• Nearest Town: Ukhimath
• Trekking Distance: Approximately 21 kilometers from Ukhimath to Madmaheshwar Temple.
• Transportation: Reach Ukhimath by road, and then trek to the temple or hire a local guide for the journey.

Madmaheshwar Temple, nestled in the breathtaking Garhwal Himalayas of Uttarakhand, India, is a revered Hindu pilgrimage site dedicated to Lord Shiva. This remote and pristine temple is a part of the Panch Kedar pilgrimage circuit, which includes five sacred temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. Madmaheshwar Temple is situated in a serene valley, surrounded by towering peaks and lush green meadows, creating a truly enchanting and spiritual atmosphere. The main sanctum houses a unique idol of Lord Shiva in a seated position, unlike the traditional lingam form. Pilgrims embark on a challenging trek through stunning landscapes to reach this sacred abode of Lord Shiva, seeking his divine blessings and spiritual solace amidst the grandeur of the Himalayas.

So, do care to go through the above list of must-see Lord Shiva temples sprawled across the whole country. Maybe, walk the path of spirituality and find reasons to bring peace through this journey. And, who knows you can also get to know yourself better through one of Lord Shiva’s journeys.