Are you planning a unique trip to celebrate the Maha Shivratri? Looking for the best places to celebrate this divine festival of India? If yes, then you are at the right place!
Maha Shivratri, which exactly deciphers to the “Great Night of Shiva”, is a Hindu festival celebrated in India along with Nepal. The festival is celebrated on the 14th day of the dark fortnight in the month of Phalgun according to the Hindu lunar calendar which is referred to as February/March as per the Gregorian calendar.
The day is celebrated to worship Lord Shiva. It is said that after the Earth met devastation, Goddess Parwati vowed with Lord Shiva to save the world. Delighted with her prayers, Lord Shiva decided to save the world on the ploy that the populaces of the Earth would have to revere him with commitment and passion. This is why it is known as Maha Shivratri and people initiated revering Shiva with great zeal.
Mahashivratri 2024 Date, Time & Significance
Mahashivratri Date – Friday, 8th March 2024
Disciples fast and devote the day to religious fervor worshiping Lord Shiva. Many devotees also take part in the “jaagran” organized in various Shiva temples across the country. Because Lord Shiva is considered an austere God, Mahashivratri is prevalent with celibates. Thandai, a drink made with bhang (cannabis), almonds, and milk, is principally drunk by the devout on the day as cannabis is supposed to be a favorite of Shiva.
Why is Maha Shivratri Celebrated?
There are several beliefs among people regarding the Maha Shivratri celebration. One common belief is that it is the celebration of Shiva and Parvati’s marriage. People also enthusiastic to know about what is the difference between Shivratri and Maha Shivratri.
It is correct that Shivratri and Maha Shivratri are celebrated for their own reason. Shivratri is celebrated because Lord Shiva saves the world by keeping blue poison in their throat, which emerged during Samudra Manthan. After this incident lord, Shiva became ‘Nil Kanth.’
Maha Shivratri Shahi Snan at Magh Mela
The Magh Mela is happening this year in Prayagraj, Allahabad. You can participate in the Mahashivratri Sahi Snan on 8th March 2024. Many devotees find visiting Prayagraj during the Magh Mela and taking part in the Mahashivratri Sahi Snan to be a special experience.
Where is Maha Shivaratri Celebrated in India?
Mahashivratri is being celebrated in all over India, hence the festival is not limited to any specific place or region. But, there are a few popular shiva temples and places in India where devotees can worship lord shiva with full of energy and a devotional environment. Here we have listed a couple of such places in India where you can go and celebrate Mahashivratri to experience the divinity.
- Nilkanth Mahadev Temple, Haridwar, Uttarakhand
- Umananda Temple, Guwahati, Assam
- Bhavnath Taleti, Junagadh, Gujarat
- Matangeshwar Temple, Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh
- Mahakaleshwar Temple, Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh
- Srisaila Mallikarjuna Temple, Andhra Pradesh
- Bhootnath Temple, Mandi, Himachal Pradesh
- Tilbhandeshwar Temple, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
- Nageshwar Jyotirlinga, Devbhoomi Dwarka, Gujarat
- Lokanatha Temple, Puri, Odisha
- Shree Somnath Jyotirlinga Temple, Veraval, Gujarat
- Isha Yoga Center, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu
Below are the best places to celebrate Maha Shivratri and worship Lord Shiva.
Places to Celebrate Maha Shivratri
Though almost in every state of India, Mahashivratri is being celebrated joyously but below are the 12 Best places to celebrate Maha Shivratri.
1. Nilkanth Mahadev Temple, Haridwar, Uttarakhand
Visited by many devotees during Mahashivratri this place is known for its ghats which are obviously visited by individuals who offer prayers at Har ki Pauri. Most disciples are seen at the Neelkanth Mahadev Temple and several others will perhaps discover someplace to exercise yoga or relish specific adventure sports.
This religious tour to Haridwar can also give you an added advantage where you can go for river rafting in Rishikesh and can also explore the amazing places around.
2. Umananda Temple, Guwahati, Assam
Image Source: Holidify
The Umananda Temple here observes one of the leading Mahashivratri celebrations in India. The temple is situated on the peacock island in the Brahmaputra River. Many devotees across the nation travel to Guwahati only to observe the outstanding fiesta held here.
3. Bhavnath Taleti, Junagadh, Gujarat
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Gir Forest View from the Top of Girnar Parvat – Image by – Mayank Batavia
Junagadh is not just famous for Gir national park but it is the home to Sadhus who stay across the Gir forest and bhavnath taleti. During Maha Shivaratri, Junagadh attracts thousands of people from all around India to “Shivratri Mela”.
The fair starts prior to 5 days and ends on the day of Maha Shivratri. If you are in Gujarat, this place is a must-visit during the Maha Shivratri to experience the culture and sadhutva. Apart from Maha Shivratri Mela, you can also enjoy Girnar mountain climbing, Gujarat’s highest peak.
4. Matangeshwar Temple, Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh
Here Maha Shivratri is celebrated with great splendor and dedication. People take a dip in the Sagar tank along with a large number of people visiting the Matangeshwar Temple for the 10 days long fair. This fair is been visited by people from all age-groups, who come to offer prayers and strive for blessings from Shiva for prosperity.
5. Mahakaleshwar Temple, Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh
It Is celebrated mainly in Ujjain’s Mahakaleshwar Temple. It is among the 12 world-famous Jyortirlings as well. The festival is celebrated on the banks of River Kshipra. In line with a widespread folktale related to Mahakal Temple, a demon named, Dushana tortured the inhabitants of Avanti. Lord Shiva then appeared from the ground and beaten the demon. Then, as per the wish of Avanti’s people, Shiva took up an enduring home here as Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga.
6. Srisaila Mallikarjuna Temple, Andhra Pradesh
The Sri Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple here is home to one among the 12 Jyortirlings as well. Despite the wedding of Shiva and Parwati here, Mahashivratri also celebrated as the day when Shiva did the tandav.
7. Bhootnath Temple, Mandi, Himachal Pradesh
Mandi being a small town in Himachal Pradesh is one of the best places to celebrate Mahashivratri. Mandi’s Bhootnath Temple hosts the festival. According to the folk tale, around 5 centuries back, the imperial family of Mandi initiated the week-long custom of organizing a Mahashivratri Fair. This fair has now been looked ahead not only by Indian disciples, but by intercontinental tourists as well.
8. Tilbhandeshwar Temple, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
Although entire Varanasi unites in re-ratifying the wedding ritual of God Shiva and Goddess Parwati, the significant place for proposing prayers is the Tilbhandeshwar Temple in south Varanasi. This is among the few places in India where people dance in processions after drinking bhang and thandai.
9. Nageshwar Jyotirlinga, Devbhoomi Dwarka, Gujarat
Nageshwar Jyotirlinga is a Shiva temple near Dwarka in Gujarat, India. It attracts many Shiva devotees during Mahashivratri. The celebrations include devotion, prayers, and special rituals. The atmosphere is filled with chants and bhajans. The temple is decorated with lights and flowers. Priests of the temple do abhisheka of Shiv Ling with milk, honey, sugar, ghee, yogurt, and water. Devotees observe day-long fasts and engage in prayer and meditation. Mahashivratri at Nageshwar Jyotirlinga in Devbhoomi Dwarka offers a great spiritual experience.
10. Lokanatha Temple, Puri, Odisha
It is said that Lord Rama himself mounted the linga in the Lokanatha Temple in Puri. This is the main reason, why this temple is so famous among Shiva’s devotees. This linga is kept underwater the entire year and just 3 days before Mahashivratri, the water is removed to divulge the linga. Many disciples rush to the temple for a darshan of this linga and seek out Lord Shiva’s consecration.
11. Shree Somnath Jyotirlinga Temple, Veraval, Gujarat
Somnath temple is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas shrines of Lord shiva. It is located in the Saurashtra region of Gujarat. On the occasion of the Maha Shivratri festival, the Somanath mandir is decorated with LED lights and so many flowers.
A huge number of devotees visit here during this holy festival. In the Somanath temple, a Large LED is displayed for the people to avail live darshan and shiv puja. Priests of the Somanath temple do abhisheka of Shiv Ling with milk, honey, sugar, ghee, yogurt, and water. The sound of the temple and Aum Namah Shivaya Scream make a spiritual atmosphere.
12. Isha Yoga Center, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu
Isha Yoga Center was founded by Indian Yogi and author Sadhguru. It is located at Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu. Sadhguru established a 112-foot steel statue of Shiva (Adiyogi Shiva Statue), which is considered the largest burst sculpture in the world.
On the Mahashivatri festival, There is a special celebration is held at this place. Amazing dance and music performances are held including meditation. Visitors enjoy the night-long sat sang with Sadhguru.
Besides above mentioned 12 best places to celebrate Maha Shivratri in India there are many amazing places where you can see altogether a different set of celebrations and level of excitement among devotees.
You can also visit Nashik (Maharashtra), Srikala Hasti (Andhra Pradesh), and Kashmir Valley where Lord Shiva’s disciples fast, pray and organize fairs as part of celebrations.
FAQs on Maha Shivratri Festival in India:
There are many Indian states that celebrate Maha Shivaratri, including Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Assam, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, and Bihar.
The biggest Shivaratri event, which lasts seven days, is conducted at the Bhootnath temple in Mandi, Himachal Pradesh.
On the day of Mahashivratri, people fast the whole day and night. Almost all temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. People engage in special prayers and rituals, known as puja, to honor the divine presence of Mahadev.
The story behind Mahashivratri is that Lord Shiva and Maa Shakti celebrated their second marriage on this night. This special occasion is the reason why we celebrate ‘The Night of Lord Shiva(Mahashivratri).’