Top 5 Must Popular Lord Shiva Temple Maharashtra - History Image's And More
1. Trimbakeshwar Temple
One of the holiest places that occupy a special position in the religious beliefs of every Hindu is Trimbakeshwar.One reason is that it is among the 12 ‘jyotirlingas’ dedicated to Lord Shiva.Located in the Trimbakeshwar taluka of Nashik district where the river Godavari originates at the adjacent hill of Brahmagiri, the place has both historical and mythological significance because of the presence of several caves which have had association with the ‘Nath’ sect.A circumambulation of this hill in the Hindu calendar month of Shravan is treated as an extremely pious act.The ‘Kumbh Mela’ which is the largest mass Hindu pilgrimage, is held here every twelve years.
Trimbakeshwar is just 28 kilometers away from Nashik city and it is here that the sacred river Godavari originates at Brahmagiri.You will find at Trimbakeshwar a huge ‘kund’(water tank) called the ‘Kushavarta’.It is symbolic of the origin of Godavari and hence considered a sacred bathing place for the Hindus.The temple of Trimbakeshwar is said to have been reconstructed by Peshwa Balaji Bajirao i.e. Nanasaheb Peshwa.The temple faces east and is constructed from stone.The mighty mountain, Brahmagiri, is just behind this temple.
Brahmagiri occupies a prominent place in the history of Trimbakeshwar and since Godavari has its actual origin from the top of this mountain, it is called Ganga Teerth.The water percolates from the rocks into a cave and emerges as a river.According to mythology, it was Shiva who made way for the Godavari to flow from the locks of his hair, thereby making it so sacred.During the month of Shravan, a ‘parikrama’ of the Brahmagiri is performed as a ritual and thousands of devotees arrive here during the entire month.
On the Brahmagiri slopes is a cave called Nivruttinath, named after the elder brother of Sant Jnaneshwar.It is believed that Nivruttinath got spiritual knowledge from his mentor in this particular cave.Trimbakeshwar has a large number of Brahmin households and is also a centre for Vedic ‘gurukuls’ (boarding schools where students learn the Vedas).It also has a number of ashrams devoted to Ashtanga Yoga, the Hindu art of living.It is also famous for lots of religious rituals such as Narayan Nagbali, Kalsarpa Shanti, Tripindi Vidhi, etc. Of these, the Narayan Nagbali ritual is performed only at Trimbakeshwar.
State transport buses ply almost every 10 minutes from Nashik to Trimbakeshwar.The nearest railhead is Nashik Road, just 35 kilometers away.Accommodation facilities at Trimbakeshwar are ample with many hotels and budget lodges.Some of the ashramstoo provide simple staying arrangements at very affordable rates.Pure vegetarian food is available in several restaurants.
2. Aundhya Nagnath Temple
One of the most popular places on the pilgrimage circuit of Maharashtra, the temple of Aundhya Nagnath is not just famous for its rock-cut images but also for the fact that it is considered to be the eighth ('aadya') of the 12 'jyotirlingas' in the country.The mythological name for this place is Darukavana and the highly decorated temple dedicated to Lord Shiva is a sight to behold.
Aundhya Nagnath is located in the Hingoli district of Marathwada and the present temple is said to have been built by the Yadavas of Devgiri, dating back to 13th century CE.The temple covers an area of about 7,000 square feet and the total area of the temple complex is about 60,000 square feet.Apart from its religious significance, the temple itself is worth seeing for its amazingly beautiful carvings.The temple architecture is said to be of Hemadpanti style i.e. the construction without mortar, and has on the exterior numerous images of Shiva, including Anugraha (blessing) and Sanhaar (destroying).Stories from the different ‘Puranas’, Ramayana and the Mahabharata are depicted on the temple walls.
The name of the place has been derived from a mythological tale.Daruka was a demon who used to trouble the residents of the area, making their lives miserable.The hermits prayed to Lord Shiva who granted them their wish of destroying the demon.It is said that before she died, the demon repented her deeds and requested Shiva that her name be remembered forever and be associated with that place.Shiva agreed and hence the name Darukavan.
The temple has intricate images of Vishnu, Shiva, Brahma and other deities.The main ‘garbhgruha’ (sanctum) is underground and it was probably built this way to save the temple from the invaders of that time.Upon entering the ‘sabhagruha’ you have to descend a few steps through a narrow channel of rock-cut steps.There is a chamber here that consists of four pillars in the midst of which is a ‘Shivlinga’ that is worshipped as the main deity.Some people believe, however, that Aundhya Nagnath does not have the real ‘Jyotirlinga’.But this is more a matter of belief and pilgrims continue to come here in large numbers.
The temple also has contemporary relevance due to its association with the famous saint poet Namdev.It was here that he met his guru, Visoba Khechar.Namdev was advised by Sant Dnyaneshwar to visit this temple and when he did so, he found Visoba resting with his feet on the sacred Shivlinga.Namdev asked him not to do so and in reply Visoba asked the saint-poet to place his feet where there would be no shivlinga.Namdev tried to put Visoba’s feet in many other places but each time he did so, ashivlinga would spring up.Thus the whole sanctum was filled with shivalingas and with this Visoba taught Namdev the omnipresence of god.
Aundhya Nagnath is easily accessible with state transport buses plying regularly from Parbhani, Aurangabad, and Hingoli.Parbhani is the nearest big town, about 50 kilometers away.The nearest railhead is also Parbhani.In terms of accommodation, there are limited lodging facilities at Aundhya Nagnath.It is therefore advisable to stay at Parbhani.
3. Bhimashankar Temple
A pristine natural environment with hills, waterfalls and forests; a wild life sanctuary and an ancient temple! Bhimashankar offers the ideal setting to find spirituality. It is also the perfect place for adventure lovers with a plethora of treks. Moreover this is where you can find the shekru the giant flying squirrel which is also the state animal of Maharashtra.
Nestled in dense forests, the Shiva temple in Bhimashankar is the sixth jyotirlinga and one of the most popular places for the worship of Lord Shiva. It is believed that the original temple of Bhimashankar was built in 12th century CE. However, no material remains dating to that period have been found since the temple has undergone many alterations over a period of time. The temple was renovated by Chimaji Antaji Bhide Naik in 1733 CE followed by some repair works by Dikhit Patwardhan in 1766 CE. A well was constructed in the complex by Raghunathrao Peshwa. The famous minister of the Peshwas, Nana Phadnavis carried out a lot of renovations, including the construction of the shikhara.
The present temple sanctum (garbhagriha) and the shikhara are built in the Nagara or Indo-Aryan style and have a strong influence of Rajasthan and Gujarat on the figurines and motifs of the temple. The exterior walls of the sanctum are adorned with scenes from the Ramayana, Krishna Leela, Shiv Leela and Dashavataras. Inscriptions in the courtyard give a record of grants given and a large bell confiscated from the Vasai fort by the Maratha Commander Chimaji Appa hangs in front of the sabhamandapa.
Bhimashankar is also the perfect place to combine adventure and trekking. Monsoon is a good season to enjoy the region’s stunning natural beauty.
4. Vaijnath Temple
A renowned town in Beed district, Parali is identified by the presence of the Vaijnath Temple, a ‘jyotirlinga’ temple on a small hill that attracts a large number of devotees all through the year. Parali is also known for a thermal power station. That apart, the small town provides a unique flavour of a laid-back atmosphere that is in stark contrast to the ‘life in a fast lane’ culture of most metro cities.
Out of the 12 ‘jyotirlingas’ of Lord Shiva, five are situated in Maharashtra. Parali Vaijanath is one of them. Being popular as a ‘jyotirlinga’ it attracts a constant stream of devotees throughout the year and especially so in the Hindu calendar month of Shravan when pilgrims come here to have ‘darshan’ of the auspicious ‘shivlinga’. Parali is a taluka in Beed district and is primarily known for the temple. Known as the Vaijanath Temple, it is built out of stone on a small hill and is surrounded by a wall that protects it from all sides.
Facing towards the east, the temple has two doors in the south and north directions. At the entrance is a large hall constructed out of teak wood. The complex has a spacious courtyard and a big corridor for circumambulation of the temple. While the exact date of the building of the temple is not known, experts feel that it belongs to the Yadava period that goes back to 12th or 13th century CE. There are records stating that the temple was renovated in the year 1706. The aesthetical and architectural beauty of the temple is enhanced with some ponds around the temple which too have religious significance. One of them is Harihara Teerth, the water of which is poured over the Shivlinga every Monday. This place defines the assimilation of the Shaiva and Vaishnava sects.
As is the case with any temple, the Vaijnath Temple too has its share of mythological tales. One such is the story of Satyavan and Savitri that is said to have taken place at Parali. Another story is that of Lord Vishnu helping the gods to obtain nectar from this region. There is also the legend from the Ramayana about Ravana halting here while on his way to Lanka with the Shivlinga. It is said that to be able to relieve himself, Ravana asked a herdsman to hold the Shivlinga for a while. However, the boy was unable to do so for long and placed it on earth, which is how the jyotirlinga happens to be here. The belief is that Shiva decided to reside here in the form of Vaidyanatheshwar. Even the story of Markandeyanugraha is said to have taken place at Parali.
Celebrations take place at Parali on several auspicious occasions such as Gudi Padawa, Vijaya Dashami, Tripuri Pournima and Mahashivaratri. Parali is well-connected by road from Beed, Parbhani and Ahmednagar. Parali is a railway station on the South Central Railway. State transport buses too are easily available from all over Maharashtra to Parali. Since this is a prominent pilgrimage centre, there are ample lodging facilities in the town and the Vaidyanath Mandir Committee has their own Bhakta Niwas and Yatri Niwas where rooms are available at very affordable rates.
5. Kailasa temple
The Kailasa temple is one of the largest rock-cut ancient Hindu temples located in Ellora, Maharashtra, India. A megalith carved out of one single rock, it is considered one of the most remarkable cave temples in India because of its size, architecture and sculptural treatment. The Kailasa temple (Cave 16) is one of the 34 cave temples and monasteries known collectively as the Ellora Caves. its construction is generally attributed to the 8th century Rashtrakuta king Krishna I. The temple architecture shows traces of Pallava style.
The construction of the temple is ofter attributed to the Rashtrakuta king Krishna I (r. 756-773 CE), based on certain epigraphs that link the temple to Krishnaraja. However, such identification is problematic, because these epigraphs are not physically connected to the caves, and do not date Krishnaraja's reign. The Baroda plates (c. 812-813 CE), issued around 40 years after the reign of Krishna l, mention Krishnaraja as the patron of Kailasanatha, and also mention a Shiva temple at Elapura (Ellora). These plates record the grant of a village by Karkaraja II, a ruler of a Rashtrakuta branch of Gujarat. According to these plates, the king constructed a temple so wonderous that even the gods and the architect were astonished. Most scholars believe that this is a reference to the Kailasa Shiva temple at Elora. However,architect were astonished.Most scholars believe that this is a reference.
1. Trimbakeshwar Temple
 |
| Trimbakeshwar Temple |
One of the holiest places that occupy a special position in the religious beliefs of every Hindu is Trimbakeshwar.One reason is that it is among the 12 ‘jyotirlingas’ dedicated to Lord Shiva.Located in the Trimbakeshwar taluka of Nashik district where the river Godavari originates at the adjacent hill of Brahmagiri, the place has both historical and mythological significance because of the presence of several caves which have had association with the ‘Nath’ sect.A circumambulation of this hill in the Hindu calendar month of Shravan is treated as an extremely pious act.The ‘Kumbh Mela’ which is the largest mass Hindu pilgrimage, is held here every twelve years.
Trimbakeshwar is just 28 kilometers away from Nashik city and it is here that the sacred river Godavari originates at Brahmagiri.You will find at Trimbakeshwar a huge ‘kund’(water tank) called the ‘Kushavarta’.It is symbolic of the origin of Godavari and hence considered a sacred bathing place for the Hindus.The temple of Trimbakeshwar is said to have been reconstructed by Peshwa Balaji Bajirao i.e. Nanasaheb Peshwa.The temple faces east and is constructed from stone.The mighty mountain, Brahmagiri, is just behind this temple.
Brahmagiri occupies a prominent place in the history of Trimbakeshwar and since Godavari has its actual origin from the top of this mountain, it is called Ganga Teerth.The water percolates from the rocks into a cave and emerges as a river.According to mythology, it was Shiva who made way for the Godavari to flow from the locks of his hair, thereby making it so sacred.During the month of Shravan, a ‘parikrama’ of the Brahmagiri is performed as a ritual and thousands of devotees arrive here during the entire month.
On the Brahmagiri slopes is a cave called Nivruttinath, named after the elder brother of Sant Jnaneshwar.It is believed that Nivruttinath got spiritual knowledge from his mentor in this particular cave.Trimbakeshwar has a large number of Brahmin households and is also a centre for Vedic ‘gurukuls’ (boarding schools where students learn the Vedas).It also has a number of ashrams devoted to Ashtanga Yoga, the Hindu art of living.It is also famous for lots of religious rituals such as Narayan Nagbali, Kalsarpa Shanti, Tripindi Vidhi, etc. Of these, the Narayan Nagbali ritual is performed only at Trimbakeshwar.
State transport buses ply almost every 10 minutes from Nashik to Trimbakeshwar.The nearest railhead is Nashik Road, just 35 kilometers away.Accommodation facilities at Trimbakeshwar are ample with many hotels and budget lodges.Some of the ashramstoo provide simple staying arrangements at very affordable rates.Pure vegetarian food is available in several restaurants.
2. Aundhya Nagnath Temple
 |
| Aundhya Nagnath Temple |
One of the most popular places on the pilgrimage circuit of Maharashtra, the temple of Aundhya Nagnath is not just famous for its rock-cut images but also for the fact that it is considered to be the eighth ('aadya') of the 12 'jyotirlingas' in the country.The mythological name for this place is Darukavana and the highly decorated temple dedicated to Lord Shiva is a sight to behold.
Aundhya Nagnath is located in the Hingoli district of Marathwada and the present temple is said to have been built by the Yadavas of Devgiri, dating back to 13th century CE.The temple covers an area of about 7,000 square feet and the total area of the temple complex is about 60,000 square feet.Apart from its religious significance, the temple itself is worth seeing for its amazingly beautiful carvings.The temple architecture is said to be of Hemadpanti style i.e. the construction without mortar, and has on the exterior numerous images of Shiva, including Anugraha (blessing) and Sanhaar (destroying).Stories from the different ‘Puranas’, Ramayana and the Mahabharata are depicted on the temple walls.
The name of the place has been derived from a mythological tale.Daruka was a demon who used to trouble the residents of the area, making their lives miserable.The hermits prayed to Lord Shiva who granted them their wish of destroying the demon.It is said that before she died, the demon repented her deeds and requested Shiva that her name be remembered forever and be associated with that place.Shiva agreed and hence the name Darukavan.
The temple has intricate images of Vishnu, Shiva, Brahma and other deities.The main ‘garbhgruha’ (sanctum) is underground and it was probably built this way to save the temple from the invaders of that time.Upon entering the ‘sabhagruha’ you have to descend a few steps through a narrow channel of rock-cut steps.There is a chamber here that consists of four pillars in the midst of which is a ‘Shivlinga’ that is worshipped as the main deity.Some people believe, however, that Aundhya Nagnath does not have the real ‘Jyotirlinga’.But this is more a matter of belief and pilgrims continue to come here in large numbers.
The temple also has contemporary relevance due to its association with the famous saint poet Namdev.It was here that he met his guru, Visoba Khechar.Namdev was advised by Sant Dnyaneshwar to visit this temple and when he did so, he found Visoba resting with his feet on the sacred Shivlinga.Namdev asked him not to do so and in reply Visoba asked the saint-poet to place his feet where there would be no shivlinga.Namdev tried to put Visoba’s feet in many other places but each time he did so, ashivlinga would spring up.Thus the whole sanctum was filled with shivalingas and with this Visoba taught Namdev the omnipresence of god.
Aundhya Nagnath is easily accessible with state transport buses plying regularly from Parbhani, Aurangabad, and Hingoli.Parbhani is the nearest big town, about 50 kilometers away.The nearest railhead is also Parbhani.In terms of accommodation, there are limited lodging facilities at Aundhya Nagnath.It is therefore advisable to stay at Parbhani.
3. Bhimashankar Temple
 |
| Bhimashankar Temple |
A pristine natural environment with hills, waterfalls and forests; a wild life sanctuary and an ancient temple! Bhimashankar offers the ideal setting to find spirituality. It is also the perfect place for adventure lovers with a plethora of treks. Moreover this is where you can find the shekru the giant flying squirrel which is also the state animal of Maharashtra.
Nestled in dense forests, the Shiva temple in Bhimashankar is the sixth jyotirlinga and one of the most popular places for the worship of Lord Shiva. It is believed that the original temple of Bhimashankar was built in 12th century CE. However, no material remains dating to that period have been found since the temple has undergone many alterations over a period of time. The temple was renovated by Chimaji Antaji Bhide Naik in 1733 CE followed by some repair works by Dikhit Patwardhan in 1766 CE. A well was constructed in the complex by Raghunathrao Peshwa. The famous minister of the Peshwas, Nana Phadnavis carried out a lot of renovations, including the construction of the shikhara.
The present temple sanctum (garbhagriha) and the shikhara are built in the Nagara or Indo-Aryan style and have a strong influence of Rajasthan and Gujarat on the figurines and motifs of the temple. The exterior walls of the sanctum are adorned with scenes from the Ramayana, Krishna Leela, Shiv Leela and Dashavataras. Inscriptions in the courtyard give a record of grants given and a large bell confiscated from the Vasai fort by the Maratha Commander Chimaji Appa hangs in front of the sabhamandapa.
Bhimashankar is also the perfect place to combine adventure and trekking. Monsoon is a good season to enjoy the region’s stunning natural beauty.
4. Vaijnath Temple
 |
| Vaijnath Temple |
A renowned town in Beed district, Parali is identified by the presence of the Vaijnath Temple, a ‘jyotirlinga’ temple on a small hill that attracts a large number of devotees all through the year. Parali is also known for a thermal power station. That apart, the small town provides a unique flavour of a laid-back atmosphere that is in stark contrast to the ‘life in a fast lane’ culture of most metro cities.
Out of the 12 ‘jyotirlingas’ of Lord Shiva, five are situated in Maharashtra. Parali Vaijanath is one of them. Being popular as a ‘jyotirlinga’ it attracts a constant stream of devotees throughout the year and especially so in the Hindu calendar month of Shravan when pilgrims come here to have ‘darshan’ of the auspicious ‘shivlinga’. Parali is a taluka in Beed district and is primarily known for the temple. Known as the Vaijanath Temple, it is built out of stone on a small hill and is surrounded by a wall that protects it from all sides.
Facing towards the east, the temple has two doors in the south and north directions. At the entrance is a large hall constructed out of teak wood. The complex has a spacious courtyard and a big corridor for circumambulation of the temple. While the exact date of the building of the temple is not known, experts feel that it belongs to the Yadava period that goes back to 12th or 13th century CE. There are records stating that the temple was renovated in the year 1706. The aesthetical and architectural beauty of the temple is enhanced with some ponds around the temple which too have religious significance. One of them is Harihara Teerth, the water of which is poured over the Shivlinga every Monday. This place defines the assimilation of the Shaiva and Vaishnava sects.
As is the case with any temple, the Vaijnath Temple too has its share of mythological tales. One such is the story of Satyavan and Savitri that is said to have taken place at Parali. Another story is that of Lord Vishnu helping the gods to obtain nectar from this region. There is also the legend from the Ramayana about Ravana halting here while on his way to Lanka with the Shivlinga. It is said that to be able to relieve himself, Ravana asked a herdsman to hold the Shivlinga for a while. However, the boy was unable to do so for long and placed it on earth, which is how the jyotirlinga happens to be here. The belief is that Shiva decided to reside here in the form of Vaidyanatheshwar. Even the story of Markandeyanugraha is said to have taken place at Parali.
Celebrations take place at Parali on several auspicious occasions such as Gudi Padawa, Vijaya Dashami, Tripuri Pournima and Mahashivaratri. Parali is well-connected by road from Beed, Parbhani and Ahmednagar. Parali is a railway station on the South Central Railway. State transport buses too are easily available from all over Maharashtra to Parali. Since this is a prominent pilgrimage centre, there are ample lodging facilities in the town and the Vaidyanath Mandir Committee has their own Bhakta Niwas and Yatri Niwas where rooms are available at very affordable rates.
5. Kailasa temple
 |
| Kailasa temple |
The Kailasa temple is one of the largest rock-cut ancient Hindu temples located in Ellora, Maharashtra, India. A megalith carved out of one single rock, it is considered one of the most remarkable cave temples in India because of its size, architecture and sculptural treatment. The Kailasa temple (Cave 16) is one of the 34 cave temples and monasteries known collectively as the Ellora Caves. its construction is generally attributed to the 8th century Rashtrakuta king Krishna I. The temple architecture shows traces of Pallava style.
The construction of the temple is ofter attributed to the Rashtrakuta king Krishna I (r. 756-773 CE), based on certain epigraphs that link the temple to Krishnaraja. However, such identification is problematic, because these epigraphs are not physically connected to the caves, and do not date Krishnaraja's reign. The Baroda plates (c. 812-813 CE), issued around 40 years after the reign of Krishna l, mention Krishnaraja as the patron of Kailasanatha, and also mention a Shiva temple at Elapura (Ellora). These plates record the grant of a village by Karkaraja II, a ruler of a Rashtrakuta branch of Gujarat. According to these plates, the king constructed a temple so wonderous that even the gods and the architect were astonished. Most scholars believe that this is a reference to the Kailasa Shiva temple at Elora. However,architect were astonished.Most scholars believe that this is a reference.
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