This is one of the biggest festivals. Every year, Maha Shivratri is observed nationwide with much fanfare and magnificence. For Lord Shiva's followers, Maha Shivratri is the most auspicious day of the year and one of the most fortunate periods overall. It is celebrated on Chaturdashi Tithi in the month of Magha during Krishna Paksha. On Maha Shivratri, devotees fast and offer their prayers to the goddess with the utmost care and devotion. During Maha Shivratri, Shiva puja is performed at night, and the next day, devotees break their fast.
Maha Shivratri is a Hindu festival honouring Lord Shiva. It is often referred to as the "Great Night of Shiva." In the lunar month of Phalguna (February–March in the Gregorian calendar), it occurs on the thirteenth night and fourteenth day. The date of Maha Shivratri this year is March 8, 2024. Here are a few of the most well-known Shiva temples that you can visit on this auspicious occasion to celebrate Maha Shivratri.
1. Somnath Jytorilinga Temple, Gujarat
Image Source: Twitter
| Timings | Details |
|---|---|
| Darshan timing | 6:00 AM - 9:30 PM |
| Arati timing | 7:00 AM, 12:00 PM, 7:00 PM |
| Light and sound show | 7:45 PM |
| Time Required | 2-3 hrs |
| Entry Fee | Light and sound show: INR 25, Half-ticket INR 15 |
The first of Lord Shiva's twelve Jyotirlinga temples is the Somnath Jyotirlinga Temple. Situated on Gujarat's western coast, this temple is among the nation's oldest. The Rig Veda, Skandpuran, Shivpuran, and Shreemad Bhagavat Gita are among the ancient books that mention it, indicating the temple's significance as one of the most revered pilgrimage locations. The ancient Triveni Sangam, or the meeting point of the Kapila, Hiran, and Saraswati rivers, is where the temple is situated. Because of its ability to withstand the passage of time, the temple is referred to as an eternal shrine. Its beauty has not diminished despite having endured multiple destructions in the past.
2. Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Varanasi
Image Source: Twitter
| Details | Timings |
|---|---|
| Time Required | 1-3 hours |
| Entry Fee | Free |
| Kashi Vishwanath Pooja Timings |
Mangala Aarti: 3:00 AM to 4:00 AM (Morning) Bhoga Aarti: 11:15 AM to 12:20 PM (Day) Sandhya Aarti: 7:00 PM to 8:15 PM (Evening) Shringara Aarti: 9:00 PM to 10:15 PM (Night) Shayana Aarti: 10:30 PM to 11:00 PM (Night) |
One of the twelve Jyotirlingas, or temples devoted to Lord Shiva, is Kashi Vishwanath Temple, which is located in Varanasi on the western bank of the sacred Ganga river. Lord Shiva, sometimes referred to as Vishwanatha or Vishweshwarar, which means "the ruler of the universe," is the primary deity of the Kashi Vishwanath Temple. Thus, the name "city of Lord Shiva" refers to Varanasi, the cultural centre of India. The temple's tower boasts 800 kilograms of gold plating. Electronics such as cameras, phones, and other gadgets must be kept outside in lockers and are not permitted inside. Outsiders can enter by Gate #2 and proceed past the Indians who are waiting for their turn.
3. Kedarnath Temple, Kedarnath
Image Source: Twitter
| Timings | Details |
|---|---|
| Timings | 04:00 AM - 09:00 PM (Mid-May - October) |
| Time Required | 1 - 2 hours |
| Entry Fee | Shuttle tickets - INR 1100 Various packages available from tour operators from INR 50,000 per person onwards |
As a stop on the Chhota Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand, India, the Kedarnath Temple, situated atop the Garhwal Himalayan Range in the Rudraprayag District, is among the most esteemed and revered of all Hindu temples. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the temple is the highest of the 12 Jyotirlingas, standing at a height of 3,583 meters. Due to its religious significance and holiness, the Mandakini River flows in front of the snow-capped, steep mountains that surround the Kedarnath Temple, which attracts thousands of devotees each year. It is thought that Adi Shankaracharya rebuilt the old Kedarnath Temple, which was created by the Pandavas a millennium ago using massive stone slabs placed over a huge rectangular dais.
4. Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga, Ujjain
Image Source: Twitter
| Timings | Details |
|---|---|
| From the month Chaitra to Ashwin: | |
| Morning Pooja | 7:00 AM - 7:30 AM |
| Mid-day Pooja | 10:00 AM - 10:30 AM |
| Evening Pooja | 5:00 PM - 5:30 PM |
| Aarti Shri Mahakal | 7:00 PM - 7:30 PM |
| Closing time | 11:00 PM |
| From the month Kartik to Falgun: | |
| Morning Pooja | 7:30 AM - 8:00 AM |
| Mid-day Pooja | 10:30 AM - 11:00 AM |
| Evening Pooja | 5:30 PM - 6:00 PM |
| Aarti Shri Mahakal | 7:30 PM - 8:00 PM |
| Closing time | 11:00 PM |
| Bhasma Aarti | 4:00 AM |
| Time Required | 4-5 hours |
| Entry Fee | No entry fee |
| VIP Darshan | INR 250 |
One of the twelve Jyotirlingas in India is Mahakaleshwar Temple, which is situated in the historic city of Ujjain in the state of Madhya Pradesh. The Mahakal lingam at this temple, which is devoted to Lord Shiva, is said to be Swayambhu (self-manifested), drawing Shakti (power) currents from within itself. Among India's eighteen Maha Shakti Peethas is Mahakaleshwar. The fact that the Mahakaleshwar idol is Dakshina Mukhi, facing south, in contrast to all other Jyotirlingas, is another reason why Mahakaleshwar is one of the most respected Jyotirlingas in India. Among devotees, the Mahakaleshwar Temple's Bhasma-Aarti is immensely famous, as it is regarded as a Hindu pilgrimage.
5. Bhimashankar Temple, Bhimashankar
Image Source: Twitter
| Timings | Details |
|---|---|
| Timings | 5:00 AM - 12:00 PM & 4:00 PM - 9:00 PM |
| Time Required | 1-2 hrs |
| Entry Fee | No entry fee |
500 miles northwest of Pune, Maharashtra, in Khed, is the Hindu shrine known as Bhimashankar Temple. It is tucked away from the bustle of city life, peeking through the blanket of white clouds. Nestled amidst the Sahyadri Hills, this temple is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas located throughout India and is well recognized. It has become quite significant in the recent past and has been designated as a Wildlife Sanctuary. The 13th-century temple, however simple in style, is embellished with images of Buddha. An adventurous touch to your spiritual visit might be added with a trek to the Bhimashankar temple.
6. Murudeshwar Temple, Murudeshwar
Image Source: Twitter
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Timings | 3:00 AM - 1:00 PM 3:00 PM - 8:00 PM |
| Time Required | 2-3 hrs |
| Dress Code | Men: Only Dhotis, no tshirt, jeans, pants Women: only Saree and Churidar with dupatta |
Located in Karnataka, Lord Shiva is the subject of this majestic shrine. This temple is home to the second-highest statue of Lord Shiva in the world, and you will be in awe of the statue's sheer grandeur. The Arabian Sea encircles the Kanduka Hill, where this temple is situated, on three sides. From the top of the 123-foot "gopura," which serves as the entryway to the main temple, you can see a stunning view of the Shiva statue. You will never witness such exquisite and detailed sculptures that cover the entire surface of this edifice.
7. Mahabaleshwara Temple, Gokarna
Image Source: Twitter
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Time Required | 1 hour |
| Temple Timings | 6:00 AM to 12:00 PM, 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM |
| Festivals | Maha Shivratri |
Here at the temple, a six-foot-tall Shiva Linga known as the Atmalinga is revered. Constructed from white granite, it embodies the timeless elegance of Dravidian design. The primary deity is represented by a 1500-year-old standing stone image of Lord Shiva. The temple is referred to as Dakshin (South) Kashi because it is featured in the Hindu myths of the Mahabharata and Ramayana and is seen to be just as important as Kashi. The only portion of the Linga that is visible to devotees is the top of the Atmalinga. However, the full Atmalinga is exhibited to the devotees at the Ashta Bandana Kumbhahishekam, a festival that takes place once every 40 years.
8. Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai
Image Source: Twitter
| Timings | Details |
|---|---|
| Timings | 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM |
| Time Required | 1 - 2 hours |
| Entry Fee | No entry fee |
Situated in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, on the southern bank of the Vaigai River, is the historic Meenakshi Amman temple. Constructed sometime between 1623 and 1655, the location is well-known worldwide for its amazing design. The main deities honoured in Meenakshi Temple are Parvati, sometimes referred to as Meenakshi, and her husband Shiva. The fact that God and Goddess are worshipped jointly sets this temple apart from the others. The temple's most remarkable feature is its gorgeous exterior, which is made up of amazing artwork embedded into the pillars and walls in addition to incredibly minute features.
Also Read: Maha Shivratri 2024: Why is Maha Shivratri celebrated?
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Akanksha Sinha
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