Shiva Temples in India
Major Shiva temples across India, from Jyotirlingas to ancient shrines.
82 temples
Airavatesvara Temple
The Airavatesvara Temple at Darasuram, built by Rajaraja Chola II between 1146 and 1172 CE, is one of the three UNESCO World Heritage 'Great Living Chola Temples.' It is renowned…
Amaralingeswara Temple
Amaralingeswara Temple, located in Amaravati on the southern bank of the Krishna River, is the foremost of the Pancharama Kshetras — the five ancient Shiva temples of coastal Andhra Pradesh.
Amarnath Cave Temple
One of the holiest shrines at 3,888m altitude, famous for its naturally occurring ice stalagmite Shiva Lingam.
Arunachaleswarar Temple
Arunachaleswarar Temple at the foot of Arunachala Hill in Tiruvannamalai is one of the largest Shiva temples in the world, covering 25 acres.
Badami Cave Temples
The Badami Cave Temples are a complex of four rock-cut cave temples carved into the soft sandstone cliffs of Badami, the capital of the Early Chalukya dynasty.
Baidyanath Jyotirlinga Temple
Where Shiva is worshipped not as destroyer but as physician. Baidyanath — the Lord of Healing — draws millions who carry Ganga water 108 km barefoot in the Kaanwar Yatra.
Baijnath Temple Uttarakhand
A 12th-century complex on the Gomti banks, famous for its life-sized black stone idol of Goddess Parvati.
Basukinath Temple
The spiritual 'Criminal Court' of Lord Shiva, where the final verdict of a pilgrim's journey is believed to be delivered after visiting Baidyanath Dham.
Bateshwar Temples Agra
A complex of 101 Shiva temples built on the banks of Yamuna, representing a significant pilgrimage and architectural site.
Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga
The source of the Bhima River deep in the Sahyadri hills. A Jyotirlinga surrounded by a wildlife sanctuary, with the legend of Tripurasura.
Bhitargaon Temple Kanpur
The oldest remaining terracotta/brick temple in India, dating to the 6th-century Gupta era, a masterpiece of early architecture.
Bhoramdeo Temple
Commonly known as the 'Khajuraho of Chhattisgarh,' this 11th-century architectural masterpiece is famous for its exquisite erotic and mythological sculptures.
Brahma Sarovar
A magnificent ancient water tank in Kurukshetra, deeply tied to the Mahabharata and the creation of the universe by Lord Brahma.
Brihadeeswarar Temple
The Brihadeeswarar Temple in Thanjavur, built by Raja Raja Chola I in the 11th century, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the tallest Shiva temple in India, crowned by…
Chaya Someswara Temple
Famous for a permanent shadow that falls on the main Shiva Lingam all day, with no visible object casting it.
Durga Temple
The Durga Temple at Aihole, built in the 7th-8th century CE, is a distinctive architectural experiment of the Early Chalukya period.
Ekambareswarar Temple
Ekambareswarar Temple in Kanchipuram represents the earth element (Prithvi) of the Pancha Bhoota Sthalas.
Eklingji Temple
A magnificent 108-temple complex dedicated to the patron deity of the Mewar Maharanas, featuring a four-faced black marble Shiva idol.
Elephanta Caves
A UNESCO World Heritage site on Elephanta Island, famed for the colossal 20-foot Trimurti sculpture of Lord Shiva.
Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple
The Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple, built by Rajendra Chola I in 1035 CE, is a UNESCO World Heritage 'Great Living Chola Temple.' Its 53-metre vimana with recessed corners and six pairs…
Gauri Shankar Temple Delhi
Historic 18th-century Shaivite temple in Chandni Chowk founded by Maratha soldier Appa Gangadhar, enshrining a venerated brown stone lingam traditionally believed to be centuries older.
Gorakhnath Temple Gorakhpur
The spiritual headquarters of the Nath monastic order and a grand center for Yoga, carrying a millennium of spiritual power and social service.
Grishneshwar Temple
The 12th and final Jyotirlinga, located just 1 km from the Ellora Caves.
Hoysaleswara Temple
The Hoysaleswara Temple in Halebidu, built circa 1121-1160 CE, is the largest Shiva temple built by the Hoysalas.
Jageshwar Temple
A cluster of 124 ancient stone temples from the 7th-12th centuries, situated in a dense deodar forest.
Jambukeswarar Temple
Jambukeswarar Temple in Thiruvanaikaval represents the water element (Apas) of the Pancha Bhoota Sthalas.
Kailasa Temple, Ellora
The world's largest monolithic rock-cut structure, carved top-down from a single basalt cliff.
Kailasanathar Temple Kanchipuram
The oldest structure in Kanchipuram, built in the 8th century; it served as the inspiration for the Tanjavur Brihadeeswarar.
Kaleshwara Mukteswara Swamy Temple
Located at a river confluence, it uniquely houses two Shiva Lingams representing Lord Shiva and Lord Yama on one pedestal.
Kalpeshwar Temple
The only Panch Kedar temple accessible year-round, housed in a natural cave and featuring a unique four-faced Shiva linga representing the god's hair.
Kampaheswarar Temple
Kampaheswarar Temple in Tribhuvanam, built by Kulothunga Chola III in 1202 CE, is one of the later great Chola temples and completes the quartet of magnificent Chola stone temples alongside…
Kashi Vishwanath Temple
Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi, one of the twelve Jyotirlingas and the most sacred Shiva temple in Hinduism, stands on the western bank of the holy Ganga.
Kedareshwara Temple
The Kedareshwara Temple at Halebidu, built in 1319 CE by the Hoysala king Veera Ballala III, is a Hoysala-era temple dedicated to Lord Shiva.
Kedarnath Temple
Kedarnath Temple — one of 12 Jyotirlingas, part of Char Dham and Panch Kedar. Verified visitor guide for pilgrims and international travellers at 3,583 m.
Khajuraho Group of Monuments
The largest and most ornate Hindu temple in the Khajuraho Group of Monuments.
Kirateshwar Mahadev Temple
Located on the banks of the Rangeet River, this ancient temple is associated with the Kirat incarnation of Lord Shiva.
Koranganatha Temple
Koranganatha Temple, built during the reign of the Chola king Parantaka I (907-955 CE) at Srinivasanallur near Tiruchirappalli, is a well-preserved example of early Chola architecture with exquisite stone carvings.
Lad Khan Temple
The Lad Khan Temple at Aihole is a pivotal monument in Early Chalukya architecture.
Lingaraja Temple
The Lingaraja Temple in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, is the largest and most magnificent temple of the Kalinga architectural tradition, dedicated to Lord Shiva as Tribhuvaneshwara.
Madhyamaheshwar Temple
One of the Panch Kedar shrines, representing Shiva's navel, set at 3,497 meters beneath the majestic Chaukhamba peak in the Garhwal Himalayas.
Mahadev Bari Udaipur
One of the oldest temples in Udaipur, the former capital, considered the abode of the consort of Tripura Sundari.
Mahakaleshwar Temple
One of the twelve Jyotirlingas, Mahakaleshwar in Ujjain is the only Shiva temple where the lingam faces south (Dakshinamurti).
Mawjymbuin Shiva Temple
Famous for its massive natural stalagmite that resembles a Shiva Lingam, constantly bathed by water dripping from the cave roof.
Monuments at Pattadakal
A UNESCO World Heritage site showcasing the unique blend of Nagara and Dravidian temple architecture from the Chalukya dynasty.
Mukteswara Temple
Known as the 'Gem of Odisha Architecture' for its exquisite carvings and its famous stone archway (Torana).
Mundeshwari Temple
Often described as the oldest continuously functioning temple in India (claimed 108 AD; ASI plaque gives 635 AD), this ancient octagonal temple on Pawra Hill is known for its unique…
Murudeshwar Temple
Home to the world's second-tallest Shiva statue (123 feet) and a massive 20-story Raja Gopuram overlooking the Arabian Sea.
Nageshwar Jyotirlinga Temple
The coastal jyotirlinga hidden in the marshlands of Saurashtra. Shiva as Nageshwar — the Lord of Snakes.
Nagueshi Temple
One of the few Goan temples that remained in its original 15th-century location throughout the colonial era, famous for its 1413 AD stone inscription and exquisite wood carvings.
Nataraja Temple
Chidambaram Nataraja Temple represents the space element (Akasha) of the Pancha Bhoota Sthalas.
Navagraha Temple
An ancient center of astronomy and astrology, this temple on Chitrasal Hill houses nine Shiva Lingams representing the nine celestial bodies.
Neelkanth Mahadev Temple
Situated at 1,330 meters, this is where Lord Shiva is believed to have consumed the poison (Halahala) during the Samudra Manthan.
Olakkaneswara Temple
Olakkaneswara Temple, located on a rocky outcrop at the southern end of Mahabalipuram beach, was built by the Pallavas in the 7th century.
Omkareshwar Temple
Situated on a sacred island in the Narmada River, Omkareshwar is the only Jyotirlinga located on an island.
Pahari Mandir
A highly revered Shiva temple situated atop Ranchi Hill, unique for its tradition of hoisting the National Flag alongside religious flags.
Pancha Rathas
The Pancha Rathas (Five Chariots) are a set of five monolithic temple structures carved from single granite outcrops during the reign of Narasimhavarman I (Mamalla, 630-668 CE) in Mahabalipuram.
Patal Bhuvaneshwar Cave
An underground limestone cave temple where legend says the entire pantheon of Hindu gods reside in rock formations.
Peer Kho Cave Temple
A cave temple on the Tawi banks where legend says Jamvant meditated; it is one of the oldest and most atmospheric in Jammu.
Ramanathaswamy Temple
The Ramanathaswamy Temple in Rameswaram is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas and a Char Dham site, famous for its magnificent thousand-pillared corridors, the longest temple corridor in the world, and…
Ramappa Temple
A 13th-century Kakatiya temple famous for its floating bricks and intricate carvings, the newest UNESCO temple site in India.
Ranbireshwar Temple Jammu
Built in 1883, it is North India's largest Shiva temple, housing a massive 8-foot central Lingam and twelve crystal lingams.
Rudranath Temple
One of the Panch Kedar shrines, representing Lord Shiva's face, situated at an altitude of 2,286 meters amidst meadows and rhododendron forests.
Shankaracharya Temple
Perched on a hilltop at 1,000 feet, this ancient Shiva temple offers panoramic views of the Dal Lake and Srinagar city.
Shiv Mandir
A popular local shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva, serving as a peaceful sanctuary for residents and travelers in Dimapur.
Shore Temple, Mahabalipuram
One of the oldest structural stone temples of South India, built by the Pallava dynasty on the Bay of Bengal coast.
Shri Mangeshi Temple
One of Goa's most prominent and wealthiest Hindu shrines, famous for its unique Indo-Portuguese architecture and the tallest Deepastambha in the state.
Siddhesvara Dham (Char Dham)
A grand complex featuring a 108-foot Shiva statue and replicas of the 12 Jyotirlingas and the four Char Dham sites.
Somnath Temple
Somnath Temple, the first of the twelve Jyotirlingas, is an ancient Shiva temple in Gujarat known for its resilience through repeated destruction and reconstruction over a millennium.
Srikalahasti Temple
Srikalahasti Temple, situated on the banks of the Swarnamukhi River at the foot of Srikalahasti hill in Tirupati district, is dedicated to Lord Shiva as Srikalahasteeswara.
Srisailam Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple
One of the twelve Jyotirlingas and the southernmost among them, Mallikarjuna Temple at Srisailam is uniquely also a Shakti Peetha where the goddess Bhramaramba is worshipped alongside Shiva.
Sthaneshwar Mahadev Temple
An ancient and highly revered shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva, intimately connected to the Mahabharata epic and the mighty Pushyabhuti dynasty of Emperor Harshavardhana.
Sudh Mahadev Temple
Believed to be over 2,800 years old, it houses a sacred broken iron trident that legend says belonged to Lord Shiva.
Tarakeshwar Temple Hooghly
1729 CE Atchala-style Shiva sanctuary founded by Raja Bharamalla in Hooghly district, famous for its swayambhu Taraknath lingam, Dudhpukur holy tank, and millions of Shravani kanwariyas.
Thousand Pillar Temple
A 12th-century Kakatiya masterpiece dedicated to Shiva, Vishnu, and Surya, famous for its perforated stone screens.
Trimbakeshwar Temple
The Trimbakeshwar Temple in Maharashtra is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, unique for its three-faced linga representing the Trimurti and the source of the Godavari River.
Tungnath Temple
The highest Shiva temple in the world, situated at 3,680 meters on the Chandranath Parbat; it is the 'Tritiya Kedar' in the sacred Panch Kedar pilgrimage circuit.
Umananda Temple
A 17th-century Shiva temple located on the Peacock Island in the middle of the Brahmaputra River, the smallest inhabited river island in the world.
Unakoti
An ancient pilgrimage site featuring massive rock-cut sculptures of Shiva and other deities, known as the 'Angkor Wat of the North-East'.
Vadakkunnathan Temple
A UNESCO award-winning ancient Shiva temple, famous for its massive gopurams and the 1000-year-old ghee offerings that never melt.
Veerabhadra Temple
Veerabhadra Temple at Lepakshi is a 16th-century Vijayanagara masterpiece, renowned for its hanging pillar, monolithic Nandi, and exquisite ceiling murals.
Vemulawada Raja Rajeswara Temple
Known as 'Dakshina Kasi', this Shiva temple is a symbol of communal harmony, housing a Dargah within its complex.
Virupaksha Temple
The Virupaksha Temple in Hampi, Karnataka, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the oldest functioning temple in India, dedicated to Lord Shiva as Virupaksha.
Sources & References
These records back the membership, dating and visitor guidance published on this Shiva Temples in India page.
Archaeological Survey of India
Archaeological Survey of India — monument records and conservation reports
Protection status, dating, architectural classification and published conservation records for the monuments named on this page.
Primary archaeological record
Open source (opens in a new tab)Ministry of Tourism, Government of India
Ministry of Tourism — official destination information
Official Government of India destination information — access, visitor circuits and travel guidance referenced on this page.
Government record
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