5 Must Visit Shiva Temples and Jyotirlingas in Madhya Pradesh During Shivratri

Mahashivratri is celebrated with utmost zeal and also the festival opens up great scope for all the travel enthusiasts, to experience and cherish the unique celebrations across. A prominent Hindu festival, it is celebrated in the Phalguna or Maagh month (February or March). Mahashivratri is mainly a festival that celebrates Lord Shiva, one of the holy trinity in Hindu mythology. On this auspicious day, people throng the temples in large number, observe fast, offer sweets, milk, flowers, and Bel Patra or Bilva leaves to Lord Shiva.

As the country gears up to celebrate the pious occasion, we welcome you to witness beautifully adorned temples bathed in fresh blooms and glittering lights. Witness the grandeur of Shivratri at these temples in the Heart of Incredible India while devotees visit these temples to offer prayers and chant hymns.

1. Mahakal Temple, Ujjain

One of the 12 Jyotirlingas, the Mahakaleshwar temple in Ujjain, popularly known as Mahakal temple, is one of the most sacred Shiv temples in Ujjain. The entire atmosphere in and around the temple remains soaked in the fervor of the festival. Scores of people from far away place throng the temple to celebrate the occasion. The devotees wait for hours in a queue to seek the blessings of Lord Shiva and the rituals for the occasion keep going on till night.

2. Shri Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga

The key attraction for the pilgrims who visit Omkareshwar is Omkareshwar jyotirlinga, one of the ancient site of the 12 sacred jyotirlingas. The sacred island that is shaped like 'Om', draws millions of travelers from across the globe. On pious occasions like Shivratri, the devotees throng in large number to seek Darshan here.

3. Pashupatinath Temple, Mandsaur

A site of spiritual significance in Mandsaur, Pashupatinath Temple is popular for its eight-faced shiva linga. Made of red stone, polished so it shines like marble, the shivalinga weighs approximately 4,600 Kgs and is almost 3.5 m tall. The eight faces are carved upon the linga into rows and depict Shiva as Bhava, Pashupati, Mahadeva, Ishaan, Rudra, Sharva, Ugra, and Ashani. Also, a part of Pashupatinath Temple complex is a small Hanuman temple and a shrine dedicated to Shri Janaki Nath.

4. Bhojeshwar Temple, Bhojpur

Situated around 28 km from Bhopal, Bhojeshwar Temple is also dedicated to Lord Shiva and beckons a large number of devotees especially on Shivratri. Carved out of a single stone, the massive linga in the sanctum stands tall at 2.35 m with a circumference of nearly 6m. It is set upon a three-tiered sandstone platform over a 6m square. Its amazing architecture has earned it the title 'Somnath of the east'.

5. Chauragarh Temple, Pachmarhi

One of the most venerated temples in Pachmarhi is the Chauragarh temple. The temple courtyard is stacked with thousands of trishuls (tridents). On the occasion of Nag Panchami and Mahashivratri, the devotees come here lugging up these Trishuls as offerings at the temple. These are then stuck in the ground around the temple creating a forest of trishuls. It is also believed that whoever offers these tridents is able to fulfill his/her wish. The temple itself is a half-built modern structure with an idol of Lord Shiva in the Garbhagriha.