The Major shiv temples of India and story of their origins.
A Shiv temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to the worship of Lord Shiva, one of the principal deities in Hinduism. Shiva is known as the destroyer, and is often depicted as a fierce deity with a trident and a serpent around his neck. Temples dedicated to Shiva typically feature a shivaling, which is a symbolic representation of the god. Many Shiv temples also feature a statue or image of Nandi, the bull who is considered to be Shiva's mount. Some off the famouse shiv temples are as follows:
The Mahakaleshwar Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and is located in the ancient city of Ujjain in the state of Madhya Pradesh, India. It is considered one of the most sacred temples of Lord Shiva and is one of the twelve Jyotirlinga shrines. The temple is situated on the banks of the Rudra Sagar lake, and the main deity is a shivaling, which is said to be self-manifested, and is believed to be one of the most powerful and sacred shivalings in India.
The temple is an important pilgrimage site for Hindus and is visited by thousands of devotees every year, especially during the festival of Mahashivratri. The temple complex also includes other shrines dedicated to various deities such as Lord Ganesha, Lord Kartikeya, Lord Nandi, and Goddess Parvati. The temple is known for its architectural beauty and is an important example of the Nagara style of architecture.
The origin of the Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga, one of the twelve Jyotirlinga shrines of Lord Shiva, is found in Hindu mythology. According to one legend, there once lived a powerful demon named Dushana who terrorized the people of Ujjain. The people sought the help of Lord Shiva, who decided to take on the demon in the form of a Jyotirlinga. Shiva defeated Dushana and established himself as the ruler of Ujjain, and the Jyotirlinga came to be known as Mahakaleshwar.
Another legend states that there was once a king named Chandrasena, who was an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva. He built a magnificent temple for Shiva and installed the shivaling there. However, after his death, the temple fell into disrepair and was forgotten. Centuries later, it was rediscovered by a cow, who kept pouring her milk on the shivaling. This led to the rediscovery of the temple, and it was rebuilt and expanded by the local ruler, Raja Bhartihari Kshatriya.
Both the legends are popular in the Hindu tradition and considered as the origin of the Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga.
Omkareshwar Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, located in the city of Omkareshwar in the state of Madhya Pradesh, India. The temple is situated on an island in the Narmada River and is considered one of the 12 revered Jyotirlinga shrines of Shiva in India. The temple's main attraction is the naturally formed Shivlinga, which is believed to be a representation of Lord Shiva. The temple complex is also home to several smaller shrines and temples dedicated to other deities. The temple attracts many devotees and tourists from all over the country.
The origin of the Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga is believed to be rooted in Hindu mythology. According to legends, once upon a time, there was a fierce battle between the devas (gods) and the asuras (demons) for the possession of the Amrita (elixir of immortality). During the battle, a drop of the Amrita fell on the earth and from that spot, a powerful jyotirlinga emerged. This jyotirlinga was named Omkareshwar, which means "lord of Omkaara" (Om being a sacred syllable in Hinduism, and kaara meaning "maker" or "creator").
Another legend states that once Lord Shiva and Parvati (his consort) decided to take a stroll on the earth in the form of human beings. They reached the banks of the Narmada River and decided to stay at the place where the Narmada River split into two. The place where they meditated is believed to be the site of the present Omkareshwar Temple.
It is also believed that the temple is one of the 12 revered Jyotirlinga shrines of Shiva in India and it is said that Lord Shiva himself manifested himself in the form of Jyotirlinga to bless his devotees.
Shree Somnath Temple is a Hindu temple located in the town of Somnath in the state of Gujarat, India. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is considered one of the 12 revered Jyotirlinga shrines of Shiva in India. The temple is situated on the western coast of India and is believed to be the first among the twelve Jyotirlinga shrines of Lord Shiva.
The temple has a long history and it is said that it was first built by the Moon God, Soma, in ancient times. The temple has been destroyed and rebuilt several times throughout history. The present temple was rebuilt in the 1950s with the support of the then President of India, Dr. Rajendra Prasad and the then Home Minister Sardar Patel.
The temple complex is situated on the banks of the Arabian Sea and is known for its architectural beauty and intricate carvings. It is also a major pilgrimage destination for Hindus and attracts many devotees from all over the country.
It is also believed that the temple is one of the 12 revered Jyotirlinga shrines of Shiva in India and it is said that Lord Shiva himself manifested himself in the form of Jyotirlinga to bless his devotees.
Arulmigu Ramanathaswamy Temple is a Hindu temple located on Rameswaram island in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, and it is considered one of the 12 revered Jyotirlinga shrines of Shiva in India. The temple is famous for its large corridors, and it is also one of the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalams, Shiva temples that are revered in the Tevaram hymns.
The temple is believed to have been built by Rama, an avatar of Lord Vishnu, to absolve himself of the sin of killing the demon king, Raavana. According to the Hindu epic Ramayana, Rama, along with his wife Sita and brother Lakshmana, worshipped Lord Shiva at this temple to purify themselves before returning to Ayodhya.
The temple is an important pilgrimage site for Hindus and is particularly famous for the 22 sacred wells within the temple complex, each of which is believed to have medicinal properties. The temple also attracts many devotees during the annual chariot festival, in which the temple's deity is taken out in a grand procession.
It is also believed that the temple is one of the 12 revered Jyotirlinga shrines of Shiva in India and it is said that Lord Shiva himself manifested himself in the form of Jyotirlinga to bless his devotees.
Kedarnath Temple is a Hindu temple located in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. It is one of the most important shrines in the country and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is considered one of the 12 Jyotirlinga shrines and one of the four sacred shrines in Hinduism, known as the Char Dham, which is visited by millions of devotees every year. The temple is located in the Garhwal Himalayas, about 3584m above sea level, near the Mandakini river.
The temple has a rich history and it is believed to have been built by the Pandavas, the heroes of the Hindu epic Mahabharata, during the Dwapara Yuga. The temple is believed to have been built by the Pandavas, after the Mahabharata war, in order to atone for their sins.
The temple is only accessible on foot and the trek to the temple is considered difficult, but the journey is considered to be worth it due to the temple's spiritual significance. The temple is open for six months in a year, between April and November. The temple is closed during the winter months due to heavy snowfall.
It is also believed that the temple is one of the 12 revered Jyotirlinga shrines of Shiva in India and it is said that Lord Shiva himself manifested himself in the form of Jyotirlinga to bless his devotees.
Kashi Vishwanath Temple is a Hindu temple located in the city of Varanasi (also known as Kashi) in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is considered one of the most sacred and important temples in Hinduism. It is one of the 12 Jyotirlinga shrines, which are considered the most sacred shrines of Lord Shiva.
The temple has a long history and it is believed to have been built by the Maratha king, Ahilyabai Holkar, in the 18th century. However, it is said that the temple has stood on the same site for thousands of years and has been destroyed and rebuilt several times throughout history.
The temple is located on the western bank of the Ganges river and is considered one of the seven sacred cities in Hinduism. The temple complex is also home to several smaller shrines and temples dedicated to other deities. The temple is a major pilgrimage site for Hindus and attracts many devotees from all over the country.
It is also believed that the temple is one of the 12 revered Jyotirlinga shrines of Shiva in India and it is said that Lord Shiva himself manifested himself in the form of Jyotirlinga to bless his devotees.
