2017 Maha Shivaratri Friday Feb 24,2017

The most important festival of Lord Shiva  devotees – Maha Shivaratri – will be celebrated on Friday February 24,2017

And on this day, which is dedicated to the Lord of the Lords, here’s taking a look at 10 biggest temples in south India built in reverence of Lord Shiva

1)        Brihadeshwara Temple in Tanjavur

Built by Raja Raja Chola I, the Briahadeshwara or the Tanjavur Periya Koil is a classic specimen of the living Chola art. The temple dedicated to Lord Shiva is over 1000 years-old and is listed on the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The main sanctum sanctorum has a 29 Ft tall Shiva Linga. One can find a 13 Ft Nandi (sacred bull) near the final entrance to the main temple complex. The Vimana or tower of this ancient temple is stands 198 Ft tall. The architecture and intricate carvings on the walls are truly matchless.

2)        Thiravanaikaval Temple in Thrichy (Water)

The temple dedicated to Lord Shiva that represents the water element of nature is known as Jamukeshwara and is located in Thiravanaikaval near Thrichy in Tamil Nadu. Believed to be around 1800 years-old, the Thiravanaikaval Temple is home to the Akhilandeshwari form of Goddess Pavati and she is worshipped as Lord Shiva’s disciple here.

3)        Meenakshi Sundareshwara Temple in Madurai

This magnificent piece of spiritual architecture in Tamil Nadu’s Madurai city, has been in existence for over thousands of years. The origin of the temple dates back to the 1600 B.C and is a classic specimen of Vedic tradition. The temple complex has temples dedicated to Meenakshi and her divine consort Sundareshwarar (Shiva).

4)        Vadakkunathan Temple in Trisshur

Beleived to be built in the seventh century, the Vadakkunathan Temple in Kerala’s Trisshur is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple’s architecture reflects Kerala’s style with monumental towers on all four sides and a Kuttambalam. Devotees from various parts of the country visit the temple during Maha Shivaratri. Over one Lakh lamps are lighted on the day of the festival.

5)        Mahabalaeshwara Temple in Gokarna

Situated in the Gokarna region of Karnataka on the shores of the Arabian Sea, the Mahabaleshwara Temple has a Atma Linga, also known as Prana Linga. It is the Linga believed to have been given to Ravana by Lord Shiva himself. The demon king of Lanka, who was instructed not to place the Linga on ground, was duped by Ganesha while enroute to him home. The Linga, after being placed on the ground by Ganesha, could not be moved by Ravana. On realising Shiva’s power, Ravana named his Mahabala and hence the name Mahabaleshwara. The idol is believed to be over 1500 years old.

6)        Murudeshwara Temple in Murudeshwara

This is the place where the cloth placed on the Atma Lingam gifted to Ravana by Lord Shiva himself. Situated on the shore of Arabian Sea in northern Karnataka, Murudeshwara Temple has the second tallest Shiva statue which stands 123 ft tall and a tower which is 249 ft in height.

7)        Gangaikonda Temple in Tanjavur

Built by Rajendra Chola I, son and successor of Raja Raja Chola, the Gangaikonda Temple in Tanjavur is one of the greatest specimens of the Chola art. The temple complex has a number of sculptures carved out of stone and each exhibit the aura of the majestic times of royal past.  

8)        Uma Maheshwara temple in Yaganti

Situated in the Kurnool region of Andhra Pradesh, the Uma Maheshwara temple in Yaganti was built during the 5th and the 6th century. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the temple has a Nandi that has water coming out from its mouth. The source of the water hasn’t been discovered yet.

9)        Sangamaeshwara Temple in Alampur

Originally built on the confluence of the Krishna and Tunghabhadra rivers, the Sangamaeshwara Temple, believed to have been built by Pulakesin I, was dismantled from its site during the Srisailam Dam project and rebuilt in its current location in Alampur. The temple that derives its name from the confluence of the Krishna and Tunghabhadra rivers, is a classic specimen of the Chalukyan period.

10)      Hoysalaeshwara Temple in Halebid

Built by Vishnuvardhana of the Hoysala empire in the 12th century, the Hoysalaeshwara Temple in Halebid narrates the glorious architectural genious of the ruler of that time

12 jyotirlinga shrines:

1. Somnath:

The first among twelve Jyotirlingam shrines, Somnath is located in Prabhas Kshetra in Saurashtra. Believed to be the protector of moon God,the Somnath temple popularly was destroyed and rebuilt six times. Also known as 'the Shrine eternal', the present temple was reconstructed in Chalukya style of Hindu temple architecture.

2. Mahakaleshwar:

Situated in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, Mahakaleshwar's unique feature is the idol of Lord Shiva known as 'dakshinamurti' which means facing south. People believe that offering prayer at Mahakaleshwar will make your wishes come true. On Mahashivratri a huge fair is held near the temple and prayers are offered at the temple the whole night.

3. Omkareshwar:

Another revered Jyotirlingam Shrine of Shiva, Omkareshwar is in the Khandwa district of Madhya Pradesh. The foundation of this Jyotirlinga is on an island called Mandhata or Shivapuri in the Narmada river. The shape of the island is said to be like the Hindu symbol 'Om'. The island also houses another temple apart from Omkareshwar, the Amareshwar temple.

4. Kedarnath:

Located atop the Himalayan range, the Kedarnath temple is open for public during April. The temple is closed and no one stays in Kedarnath during winters due to heavy snowfall. For six months the idol is transferred to a place near Guptakashi called Ukhimath.

5. Bhimashankar: 
Located 50 km northwest of Khed, near Pune, Bhimashankar Temple is a composite of old and the new structures in the Nagara style of architecture. Bhimashankar is also the source of Bhima river, which flows southeast and merges with the Krishna river near Raichur.

6. Kashi Vishwanath Temple:

Kashi Vishwanath Temple is located on the western bank on Ganges in Varanasi. Devotees who visit Kashi Vishwanath temple scatter ashes of the deceased ancestors in the Ganges. Kashi Naresh or the king of Kashi is only allowed to access the Sanctum Sanctorum during religious occasions like Shivaratri.

7. Trimbakeshwar:

The Trambakeshwar temple is situated 28 km away from Nasik. The temple is located at the source of the river Godavari river.

8. Ramanathaswamy:

Located on the island of Rameshwaram, the Ramanathaswamy temple was built during 12th century by Pandya dynasty. Both the Shaivites and Vaishnavites communities consider this as a holy place.

9. Grishneshwar:

Situated 11 km away from Daulatabad, Grishneshwar is a divine paradise for the Shiva devotees.

10. Vaidyanath:

Vaidyanath temple also known as Baba dham and Baidyanath dham is one of the most sacred Shiva abodes. Although the location of Vaidyanath Jyotirlinga is disputed.

11. Nageshvara:

Another Jyotirlingam of Shiva. According to Shiva Purana, Nageshvara Jyotirlinga is in 'the Darukavana' but the actual location of the legendary forest of Darukavana is debated.

12. Mallikarjuna Swamy:

Situated at Srisailam in Andhra Pradesh, Sri Mallikarjuna Swamy is one of the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalams.