Mahashivratri is one of the most important religious celebrations in Hindu culture. It is the Great Night of Shiva, observed by believers countrywide by fasting, visiting temples, performing rituals, and going on a pilgrimage to honour the lord. If you’re looking for places to celebrate Mahashivratri this year, you’ve come to the right place. Today, we’re listing down some of the top cities, temples, and religious hubs where Mahashivratri is celebrated with great zeal and fervour.
Best Places to Celebrate Mahashivratri
All the Shiva temples across the country ring up with devotional and jubilant energy on the day of Mahashivratri. Here are some places where you can visit to make the most of this sacred day:
- Varanasi
- Rishikesh
- Ujjain
- Haridwar
- Dwarka
- Somnath
- Puri
- Srisailam
- Guwahati
- Coimbatore
- Murudeshwar
- Khajuraho
- Mandi
- Madurai
- Bhubaneshwar
1. Varanasi
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Kashi, Benaras, and Varanasi, whatever name you call the city by, one thing’s for sure: divinity oozes from every nook and corner of the city. The ‘spiritual capital of India’ is the best place to celebrate Mahashivratri. Varanasi has many temples dedicated to Lord Shiva, all of which are decorated beautifully on Shivratri. Many legends are associated with the festival; some believe it is the day when Shiva and Parvati united in marriage. People dress up as gods and goddesses, and you might observe devotees recreate this wedding scene at the celebration. Streets are abuzz with Shiva bhajans, processions carried out by temples, and people consuming Bhaang. Don’t forget to attend the Ganga Aarti at Assi Ghat!
Location: Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Lahori Tola, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
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2. Rishikesh
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Situated on the confluence of the rivers Ganga and Chandrabhaga, Rishikesh, ‘the place of sages’, is one of India’s best places to celebrate Mahashivratri. The town is located a small distance from Haridwar and is home to ancient temples. Spend your day visiting the many Shiva temples and get lost in prayer, chanting meditation, and kirtan. Be a part of the International Yoga Festival, which starts on Mahashivratri day at Parmarth Niketan. Besides prayers, you can also have fun at the Rishikesh white water river rafting camps.
Location: Neelkanth Mahadev Temple, Kotdwar – Pauri Road, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand
3. Ujjain
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Ujjain’s Mahakaleshwar Temple is counted among the 12 holy jyotirlingas in the country. As stories go, a demon called Dushana terrorised the inhabitants of the Avanti kingdom (present-day Ujjain). The locals prayed to Lord Shiva for help, who came from within the ground and defeated the demon. Upon the request of the citizens of Avanti, Lord Shiva took up a permanent form here as the jyotirlinga at the Mahakal Temple. The festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm on the banks of River Kshipra. Pilgrims visit from all over the country for the festival.
Location: Mahankal Mandir, Jaisinghpura, Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh
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4. Haridwar
Haridwar, the land of the yogis, is another good place to celebrate Shivratri. During the festival, the city has an entirely different vibe. Pilgrims visit the temples and take a dip at the ghats to worship Shiva and relieve themselves of all sins. Most visitors make a dual trip to Haridwar and Rishikesh as they are right next to each other. Har Ki Pauri and Neelkanth Mahadev Temple are thronged with tourists seeking blessings from Lord Shiva. Visitors also visit the many cafes and adventure camps in Rishikesh-Haridwar.
Location: Har Ki Pauri, near Krishna Dham, Kharkhari, Haridwar, Uttarakhand
5. Dwarka
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Located in Devbhoomi Dwarka, Gujarat, the Nageshwar Temple is among the best places to celebrate Mahashivratri. Devotees sing devotional hymns, offer prayers, and participate in special rituals, such as bathing the shiva lingam with ghee, honey, milk, yoghurt, and water. The celebrations at the Isha Yoga Centre go on all day and all night. Filled with chants and bhajans, there is a great sense of serenity and spiritual energy in the atmosphere at the Jyortirlinga.
Location: Nageshwar Jyotirlinga Temple, Daarukavanam, Goriyali, Gujarat
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6. Somnath
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Somnath is the first among all the Jyotirlingas in the country. As such, it is an important pilgrimage site in India. The temple was built sometime in the first millennium. Even texts like the Mahabharata mention this place. Every year, the festival of Maha Shivratri is celebrated with much grandeur at Shree Somnath Temple. The temple, which is already quite a brilliant sight with its intricate designs and carvings, is even more impressive during the festival when it’s decorated with lights and flowers.
Location: Somnath Temple, Prabhas Patan, Veraval, Gujarat
7. Puri
This is one of the best places to celebrate Mahashivratri. The religious significance of the Lokanatha Temple in Puri is multifold; it is said that Lord Rama himself established the Shiva Lingam inside the temple. Devotees come from far and wide to seek blessings from the gods of creation and destruction (Vishnu and Shiva) here. Locals celebrate the day as the day when Lord Shiva performed the Tandava, a cosmic dance of destruction. You will observe people oil lamps, burn incense, offer flowers, and recite prayers and hymns.
Location: Lokanatha Temple, Puri, Odisha
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8. Srisailam
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Located on the banks of the River Krishna, Srisailam is a popular hill town in the Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh. The city is home to many ancient temples, including a jyotirlinga. Mahashivratri is celebrated at an eleven-day festival in Srisailam. Pagalankarana is a special ritual that is only seen at the Srisailam Temple. In complete darkness, a weaver decorates a white cloth called a Paagaa. Additionally, tourists can visit the wildlife sanctuary and dam in Srisailam.
Location: Mallikarjuna Swamy temple, Srisailam, Andhra Pradesh
9. Guwahati
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Guwahati is one of the most picturesque places to visit for the Mahashivratri celebration. The celebrations happen at the Umananda Temple on Peacock Island, located in the middle of the Brahmaputra River, which flows through Guwahati. Incidentally, Peacock Island is known as the smallest inhabited river island in the world. The atmosphere is tranquil and ascetic. The temple attracts a lot of pilgrims from all parts of India, especially during Shivratri and Mahashivratri. Constructed in the 1690s, the temple is adorned with detailed engravings and graceful sculptures.
Location: Umananda Temple, Guwahati, Assam
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10. Coimbatore
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This is a place you cannot miss! Coimbatore houses the world-famous 112-foot-tall statue of Lord Shiva, the largest bust statue in the entire world. Located at the Isha Yoga Center in Coimbatore, the structure is a marvel to witness with one’s own eyes. The yoga centre is one of the best places to celebrate Mahashivratri. Bhajans, dance performances, and all night-long satsang are organised, which are attended by Sadhguru himself – the founder of the Isha Yoga Centre. Devotees fast on this special occasion and spread goodwill and charity among the needy.
Location: Isha Yoga Center, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu
11. Murudeshwar
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The second-tallest statue of Lord Shiva is located in Murudeshwar, Karnataka. You can see the idol from a long distance away. The temple is always crowded with devotees seeking blessings and spiritual renewal, but during Mahashivratri, the place is at its liveliest. Located on the western coast of Karnataka, the place is always famed for the stunning Murudeshwar Beach, Murudeshwar Fort, and Netrani Island.
Location: Murudeshwar Temple Highway, Murdeshwar, Karnataka
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12. Khajuraho
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Khajuraho is world-renowned as a UNESCO world heritage site. The group of ancient Hindu and Jain temples, and various other monuments, in Khajuraho are insane feats of craftsmanship and architecture. Thousands of devotees gather at the temple and offer their prayers and gifts at the Shiva Lingam. Processions move through the streets daily as the festival is celebrated for a duration of 10 days. You can see a large number of people taking dips in the Sagar tank to cleanse themselves of impurities and sins committed in ignorance. The atmosphere is incredibly joyous, which is why Khajuraho sees one of the best Mahashivratri celebration in India.
Location: Matangeshwar Temple, Sevagram, Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh
13. Mandi
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Mandi is a small town in the big mountains of Himachal Pradesh.One might not think that the festival sees a lot of hype and excitement here. But at the Bhootnath Temple in Mandi, the story is completely different. The story goes that in the 1500s, the imperial family of Mandi started the tradition of organising an annual fair on the occasion of Mahashivratri to honour Lord Shiva. Surprisingly, the tradition has not faded away. Common folks and the local governance to this organise this fair with great festivities, and it is visited by thousands of people for 7 days. It is the biggest fair of its kind in the entire country.
Location: Bhootnath Mandir, Samkhetar, Mandi, Himachal Pradesh
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14. Madurai
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The history of Mahshivratri celebrations in Madurai goes back to ancient times. The festivities are centred around Meenakshi Amman Temple and Sri Ramakrishna Math. Devotees celebrate the union of Shiv and Parvati, and performers imitate Tandava, Lord Shiva’s cosmic dance of destruction. The Isha Yoga Center branch in Madurai hosts a five-day festival holding maha aartis, meditation sessions, cultural performances, and other spiritual activities. Puja is done throughout the night, once during each Prahar. Devotees take part in the night-long satsang to honour the god.
Location: Thiruvathavur Thirumarainatha Swamy Sivan Temple, Thiruvathavur, Madurai, Tamil Nadu
15. Bhubaneshwar
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Lord Shiva is worshipped in the form of Lingaraj in Bhubaneshwar. The Lingaraj Temple was built in the 11th century AD and is an example of spectacular craftsmanship. The festival has been celebrated here with great zeal since time immemorial. Thousands of men and women hold fast the entire day and perform puja throughout the night. Hakateshwar Sanctuary and Mukteshwar Mahadev Temple are another notable place of worship dedicated to Lord Shiva. Besides temples, you can also visit the ancient Udaigiri caves and the Nandankanan Zoological Park.
Location: Lingaraj Temple, Lingaraj Nagar, Old Town, Bhubaneswar, Odisha
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So, now you know all the best places to celebrate Maha Shivratri this year. Spiritual destinations and experiences await you in the sacred temples. Plan a pilgrimage to a Mahashivratri Fair in the above destinations and have a life-changing transcendental time. We hope this was a helpful resource for your holy trip across India.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Places To Celebrate Mahashivratri
Which state is famous for Maha Shivratri?
The states of Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Madhya Pradesh are famous for their Maha Shivratri celebrations. This is because they are home to some of the most spiritual sites include sacred shiva lingams, including the 12 jyotirlingas.
Where is Maha Shivratri mostly celebrated?
The best places where Mahashivratri is celebrated are Varanasi (the spiritual capital of India), Haridwar, Ujjain, and Guwahati.
Which is the biggest Shivratri Mela in India?
The Mandi Shivaratri Fair in Mandi, Himachal Pradesh is considered one of the biggest Shivratri Melas in India. More than 200 gods and goddess are brought out for street processions.
Which temple to visit on Maha Shivratri?
Some of the best temples to visit for Maha Shivratri are - Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi, Shri Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga Temple in Ujjain, Somnath Temple in Gujarat, Mallikarjuna Temple in Srisailam, and Bhutnath Temple in Mandi, Himachal Pradesh.
Where is Mahashivratri celebrated the best?
The best places for Mahashivratri celebration in India are - Haridwar, Varanasi, Ujjain, Guwahati, Srisailam, and Madurai.
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Abhay Kumar is a graduate of English Literature. Writing is both his hobby and his passion. He writes academic research articles as well as poetry and short fiction. He loves reading science fiction, fantasy, literary fiction, and translated fiction. He also loves traveling and writing about himself in the third person.
