Places to Celebrate Maha Shivratri in India

1. Nilkanth Mahadev Temple, Haridwar

[{"selector":"#anim-cef76512-1468-4ecb-ae75-2344ad52d74e","keyframes":{"opacity":[1,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-5a398533-da7a-4f60-b85b-45459ad1657f","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(3)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c16681be-117b-4c8d-8097-ac7717a18bf3","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":5000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-a24aefad-25e0-43f0-b382-fd712b9a2780","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":5000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Image Source: google This temple in Uttarakhand is where Lord Shiva is believed to have consumed poison during Samudra Manthan. Devotees trek through beautiful forests to seek his blessings.

2. Umananda Temple, Guwahati

[{"selector":"#anim-97d6b96e-1703-4847-8a8e-41391db437c1","keyframes":{"opacity":[1,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-9e9f73ab-c12e-465f-a67d-bdf74ae55ed3","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(3)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-9bf877f6-0e5c-45cf-98f1-aa0c9872fe74","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":5000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-69966587-a83e-49f1-9d39-8a7f625a2d67","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":5000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Image Source: google Located on the Peacock Island in the Brahmaputra River, this temple is an architectural and spiritual gem. The island is considered one of the smallest inhabited river islands in the world.

3. Bhavnath Taleti, Junagadh

[{"selector":"#anim-60505605-6d53-4327-bac1-f721549ef2b9","keyframes":{"opacity":[1,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c2d14732-7a15-4dfc-8064-7ac346fed29a","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(3)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-95008889-6371-4d0a-a521-01f193f7f9fc","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":5000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-68bd9bca-409d-4cb7-b2a7-4ba093e00ad2","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":5000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Image Source: google Famous for its grand Maha Shivratri fair, this sacred site witnesses an awe-inspiring Naga Sadhu procession at midnight, symbolizing deep devotion to Lord Shiva.

4. Matangeshwar Temple, Khajuraho

[{"selector":"#anim-f29188bb-9f43-4d4f-b351-155f6d552f3d","keyframes":{"opacity":[1,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-1616db0b-b9cc-44f4-97e6-a55412dbd6db","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(3)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-518cb6e6-b59d-4d5c-a979-b2e83a60386b","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":5000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b435d81b-cf4f-4b5e-82df-557a90bf24e4","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":5000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Image Source: google This temple, dating back to the Chandela dynasty, is one of the few still active in the Khajuraho temple complex. It is known for its gigantic Shiva Lingam, drawing thousands of devotees.

5. Mahakaleshwar Temple, Ujjain

[{"selector":"#anim-ad8520d8-7ec4-4576-8426-37584ddf7166","keyframes":{"opacity":[1,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-7e719460-5cd2-4ef2-ae27-1bec286a3157","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(3)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-5a90e7a8-1a49-4aeb-a619-8b852e83ed57","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":5000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-a05f325a-5c9b-4213-95c6-d2eca294a7a3","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":5000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Image Source: google Home to one of the 12 Jyotirlingas, this temple is renowned for its Bhasma Aarti, where sacred ash is offered to Lord Shiva at dawn, creating a mesmerizing spiritual experience.

6. Srisaila Mallikarjuna Temple, Andhra Pradesh

[{"selector":"#anim-e64dfc3a-fee4-4801-81d2-3a4985dbd922","keyframes":{"opacity":[1,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-1792ff3f-d01d-498f-9b9b-93277ab7d18e","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(3)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-489155b3-e13b-4806-a2d0-f246d9e1f0fb","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":5000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8dbfd146-0f72-4c45-b00c-2fa6df9cd4a5","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":5000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Image Source: google Situated on the banks of the Krishna River, this temple is both a Jyotirlinga and a Shakti Peeth, making it a unique place for Maha Shivratri celebrations.

7. Bhootnath Temple, Mandi

[{"selector":"#anim-01431a21-662a-41cc-94e8-5e4e0d83301a","keyframes":{"opacity":[1,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-6862dc97-5b4a-4789-b251-c3f5053cb988","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(3)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-053851bb-51f0-4428-ad41-2de7f8723c3a","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":5000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-6764f387-6055-402b-a2de-71a13b469232","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":5000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Image Source: google Known as the ‘Chhoti Kashi’ of Himachal Pradesh, Mandi’s Bhootnath Temple is a hub of devotion, where thousands gather for prayers, processions, and a grand Shivratri fair.

8. Tilbhandeshwar Temple, Varanasi

[{"selector":"#anim-89a7c836-da30-4243-895c-8c7dad4676e9","keyframes":{"opacity":[1,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-50673dba-b9d0-414b-aaa7-310dbe39ba8b","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(3)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-a9a02b35-7558-4727-8a9e-f660c9d08a29","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":5000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-30416947-2e33-4273-869f-0fa2038235d6","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":5000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Image Source: google One of Varanasi’s oldest Shiva temples, this site is known for its self-manifested Shiva Lingam, which is believed to grow in size every year.

9. Nageshwar Jyotirlinga, Dwarka

[{"selector":"#anim-f3bde6b6-7451-43d3-b563-2ac1063bed76","keyframes":{"opacity":[1,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-11941e4c-b4d8-4a33-9a67-7d2461c0ab76","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(3)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-367387ee-2a17-412d-82ff-967bdee12bad","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":5000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-1995a757-d71f-4f62-8b64-3f2e03660915","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":5000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Image Source: google Mentioned in ancient scriptures, this powerful Jyotirlinga in Gujarat is said to protect devotees from all forms of negativity and evil forces.

10. Lokanatha Temple, Puri

[{"selector":"#anim-0acf3664-7085-4e95-a69e-5e9aae7ddb8c","keyframes":{"opacity":[1,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-32e4ce5f-fba2-4bf8-9604-783dd4c640fa","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(3)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-9d247465-e00d-48a6-b6b8-d9a7b755f296","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":5000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-cf83e90f-bac8-464b-be1a-efcb1b1ee6ce","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":5000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Image Source: google Located near Jagannath Temple, this temple is famous for its submerged Shiva Lingam, which remains hidden under water except on Maha Shivratri.

11. Shree Somnath Temple, Veraval

[{"selector":"#anim-e3f2d6a9-af37-4aec-acb5-46bf2cca5881","keyframes":{"opacity":[1,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-db4cba6b-63c2-4b54-bb15-03d809986150","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(3)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f87aa2c5-f7ca-40f1-b8b1-a373b2a2ab48","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":5000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-fa1632ba-8fdf-4ee5-8c56-f0db24d1ee62","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":5000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Image Source: google Known as the first of the 12 Jyotirlingas, this temple has withstood multiple invasions and stands as a testament to unwavering devotion to Lord Shiva.

12. Isha Yoga Center, Coimbatore

[{"selector":"#anim-36d706f0-4f59-477d-b810-0938d23b48ba","keyframes":{"opacity":[1,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f4c26928-6974-4131-b845-10b3e98822d3","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(3)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c5894765-0aa8-44c5-9ac2-c2415ec03a94","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":5000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-5ffa77f3-31f8-4640-8728-9baeceee34dd","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":5000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Image Source: google The grand Maha Shivratri celebrations at the Isha Yoga Center include night-long meditation, cultural performances, and the presence of the iconic 112-ft Adiyogi statue.

Thanks for Reading!

[{"selector":"#anim-1e0e1854-1239-4db9-ae84-1ab53ec08be6","keyframes":{"opacity":[1,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-a83db399-80a3-4fe3-acc1-ce1cf4ef4323","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(3)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Image Source: google Spiritual Destinations in India