By Hemant SharmaIndia is a country where you will find countless temples dedicated to Lord Shiva the supreme God who is the destroyer of evil forces and symbol of cosmic energy. You will find a dual image in Lord Shiva, the calm Yogi, and a fierce protector. He holds an important place in Sanatan culture. He is worshiped in diverse forms across the country, from the icy terrains of Kashmir to the serene coasts of Tamilnadu. Each place reflects a unique facet of his divine energy.
Shiva temples are not just a place of worship but you will find stunning architectural wonders filled with history and legends with spiritual significance. The famous pilgrimage circuits like the Dwadas Jyotirlingas, Pancha Kedar, and Pancha Bhuta Sthalas further emphasize the prominence of Shiva worship in India. In India it’s rare to find a village that does not have a Shiva temple, reflecting its deep-rooted presence in the country’s spiritual fabric. Now let’s explore the top 10 most famous Shiva temples in India.
1. Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Varanasi
How about a Shiva temple in the most ancient and spiritual city of the country? Well, for those who still don’t get it, yes, we’re talking about the Kashi Vishwanath Temple down there in Varanasi. As for a little bit of history here, just so you know, this temple has been one of the twelve Jyotirlingas which are believed to be powerful and connected with Lord Shiva himself. A queen called Ahilyabai Holkar rebuilt the existing temple in 1780 due to many damage incidents. The best bit about this templet? The king Maharaja Ranjit Singh presented the tall golden top and dome of the temple.
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2. Kedarnath Temple, Uttarakhand
Next on the list, you see, this temple is located at the top of the Himalayan mountain at 3,583 altitude. Sounds kinda insane to go to such a high altitude, but if you’re a Shiva devotee, it won’t be a big problem for your body and soul. And just so you know, every single year, hundreds and thousands of people come here because it is a part of the Char Dham Yatra. This temple, though, is important because it is associated with the characters of the Mahabharata. Though, with its opening hours set as April to November, the temple is not for easy access due to extreme cold, that’s just one thing to keep in mind.
3. Somnath Temple, Gujarat
For those who don’t know yet, well, Gujarat’s Somnath Temple is located right on the Arabian Sea beach. Actually, it’s the first among the twelve Jyotirlingas and has a great history, were you aware of that? Through the years, it was attacked many times but nevertheless, things have been reconstructed. Like, the temple was last rebuilt in 1951 by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and today it looks magnificent.
4. Mahakaleshwar Temple, Ujjain
Then there is another special one, you know, the Mahakaleshwar Temple is unique as the idol of Shiva here is believed to have self-originated! That’s called Swayambhu. Don’t miss the Bhasma Aarti, which is a unique prayer performed here with sacred ash early in the morning! Sure enough, Ujjain is a major spiritual city and hosts one of the largest religious gatherings in the world, the Kumbh Mela, just saying!
5. Ramanathaswamy Temple, Rameswaram
It could very well be that you already know that this particular temple is associated with the epic of the Ramayana. Right? Well, it is said that Rama worshipped Shiva at this very spot. And sure enough, the temple has the longest corridor of any Hindu temple, as the passageways stretch for over 1,200 meters long, that’s an insane fact right there. At this temple, there are 22 holy water tanks for the devotees to take a dip in.
6. Brihadeshwara Temple, Thanjavur
Next on the list, without a single doubt, Brihadeshwara Temple is a masterfully engineered structure built by a king named Raja Raja Chola I over 1,000 years ago. It is still going strong! Like, this temple is a huge one with a tower of height 216 feet. In fact, it sure is one of the tallest temples. The whole temple is constructed from granite, and there are beautiful carvings on its walls, so no wonder why it is a Unesco World Heritage Site.
7. Lingaraj Temple, Bhubaneswar
The Lingaraj Temple is one of India’s oldest and greatest Shiva temples, that’s what we’re pretty certain of. This temple was built in the 11th century and follows the Kalinga architecture style. This temple is special because it worships Shiva in a combined form with Vishnu known as Harihara. Though, just know that you can explore more than 50 small temples in the complex.
8. Amarnath Cave Temple, Jammu & Kashmir
High up in the mountains is the cave shrine of Amarnath Temple which is famous for the natural ice lingam that is considered to be the form of Lord Shiva. As many of you may already know, like every year, thousands of pilgrims hike in the Himalayas to have a glimpse of this natural ice formation. You can visit the temple in certain months that is usually in the months of July and August. There lies a legend where Shiva tells Parvati of the secret of immortality at this spot, and that is precisely why it is so special.
9. Trimbakeshwar Temple, Maharashtra
Alright, you should definitely know that the Trimbakeshwar Temple is special as the Shiva lingam in this temple has three heads representing the three superior gods (Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva). It’s located near the Godavari River which is very holy. Many people perform special rituals here which solve their problems.
10. Omkareshwar Temple, Madhya Pradesh
Are you aware that this one is a temple on an island in the Narmada River, believe it or not! Did you know that the island is shaped like an ‘Om’? Many seek this destination because it provides peace and blessings. Based on old legends, Lord Shiva gave an important boon here at a famous pilgrimage site.
Conclusion
Yes, these are by far the most famous and most preferred lord shiva temples right here in India as of 2025. Literally, millions of people visit these temples every single year, and not just from one specific state or region, we’re talking about devotees from all around the country as well as many foreigners.