Are you planning a unique way to celebrate Mahashivratri this year? Plan pilgrimage tours in India to celebrate Mahashivratri. We have curated a list of the major temples and destinations that everyone must visit during the Mahashivratri festival.
Mahashivratri is one of the major Hindu festivals in India celebrated countrywide with great fervour and devotion. The festival is celebrated to worship Lord Shiva. The word Mahashivratri translates to “The Great Night of Lord Shiva”. From North to South and East to West, the glory of Lord Shiva is widespread. The festival falls on the 14th night of the new moon in Phalguna month according to the Hindi Calendar which comes in February or March. There are many beliefs behind the celebration of the Mahashivratri festival. One of the most common beliefs or folklore is that Lord Shiva married Goddess Parvati on this day. So, people celebrate the celestial union on the earth every year.
This year in 2025, Mahashivratri falls on 26th February. This is one of the most auspicious days to worship Lord Shiva. Devotees across the world come to India to visit Shiva Temples, Jyotirlingas, and other Hindu pilgrimages to offer prayers and seek blessings from the almighty. Many people visit the temples of Lord Shiva and Parvati because the day is celebrated as the union of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati since they got married on this day.
On this auspicious day, devotees also bring Ganga Jal from different places to offer Lord Shiva. While some temples celebrate the festival on the Mahashivratri day, major temples like Mahakaleshwar, Bhootnath Temple, and Shree Mallikaarjuna Temple celebrate it for more than a week.
The significance of the festival is associated with devotees’ beliefs. Some celebrate the day as the wedding anniversary of Lord Shiva and Parvati. People with worldly ambitions believe that Lord Shiva has defeated all the enemies on this day.
Another story associated with Mahashivratri is that Lord Shiva saved the world by keeping poison in his throat, which emerged during the Samudra Manthan. After this incident, Mahadev is called Neelkanth.
On this auspicious festival, devotees observe fasts, perform rituals, offer prayers in temples, and go on pilgrimage tours to honor the Lord. If this year, you are also planning to visit the best pilgrimage destinations in India for Mahashivratri celebrations then you have landed on the right page. We have picked the most popular temples and the cities you must visit for the Mahashivratri festival.
Mahashivratri is the sacred festival of Lord Shiva, which is celebrated all over India so, there is no specific region or place for it. Many temples celebrate the Mahashivratri festival on a grand level. Here are the top Mahashivratri pilgrimage destinations or temples you must in India:
In Ujjain, at Mahakaleshwar Temple, Mahashivratri is celebrated for 9 long days. Mahakaleshwar temple is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas in India with great significance. The Shivalinga in the temple is Swayambhu means it is self-manifested. All the 9-day celebration, the Shivalinga is decorated with flowers and Rudraksha to show 9 different forms of Lord Shiva. Devotees perform the ritual like Abhisheka and aarti. One can book the puja rituals through the official website in advance. The most famous puja devotees take part during Mahashivratri is Panchamrut Abhishek. While you can also book famous puja like Mangalnath Mangal Bhat Puja, Laghu Rudra Abhishek, Kaal Sarp Dosha Puja, etc.
Kashi Vishwanath Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva which is located in the holy city of Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh. It is one of the most visited pilgrimage destinations in India. People from worldwide visit this sacred place to seek Lord Shiva’s blessings. It is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas in India. Mahashivratri is one of the biggest festivals celebrated here. The temple is beautifully adorned and every street and nook gives a divine and spiritual vibe. One of the best things to witness in Kashi is Shiv Baraat. People reenact the celestial wedding ceremony of Lord Shiva and Parvati, which is an unparalleled experience for every devotee.
Located in Rudraprayag district near Kedarnath, Triyugi Narayan Temple is the place where Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati got married in the presence of other deities. It is one of the most revered Hindu pilgrimages with significant religious and mythological importance. Since it is the only witness of the celestial wedding, it has now turned into a popular wedding destination in India. And, just imagine what could be more exciting than visiting the same temple on the same day itself when the deities got married. Mahashivratri is the best time to visit Triyugi Narayan Temple when it comes alive with vibrant celebrations and deep devotion.
This Shivratri, plan pilgrimage tours in India to one of the revered Jyotirlinga shrines—Omkareshwar Temple. It is located on an island named Shivpuri in the Narmada River. Mahashivratri is not just another occasion in Omkareshwar Temple. It is the biggest festival for the residents and devotees. On this auspicious day, 251kg Peda (sweet dish) is offered to Lord Shiva, and people distribute Sabudana khichdi and Singhada halwa as prasad to every devotee and visitor. On the occasion of Mahashivratri, the temple remains open 24 hours for devotees to offer Jal and Abhishek.
One of the best temples to celebrate Mahashivratri is Bhootnath Temple in Mandi, Himachal Pradesh. It is said that approximately 5 centuries back, the imperial family started the celebration of a week-long Mahashivratri Fair. Ever since then, it has been a custom to celebrate the Mahashivratri fair. Not only Indians but people from different countries also come here to be part of this celebration.
Mahashivratri in Mallikarjuna Temple is celebrated with great zest and zeal. The festival is called Mahashivratri Brahmotsavam, which runs for 11 long days. More than one million devotees thronged here on the day of Mahashivratri. The festival starts with Yagasala Pravesam, Ankurarpana, Ganapathi Puja. Besides, the major part of the 11-day celebration is Pagalangarana and Kaylanotsavam.
Baidyanath Dham is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas in India. Baidya or Vaidya means doctor. Mahadev is known as a healer. The temple is located in Deoghar, Jharkhand, and has great significance in Hindu Matrimony. Besides Mahadev Jyotirlinga, Mata Sati’s temple—a Shakti Peetha is also situated where the heart of Mata Sati had fallen. Mahashivratri in Baidyanath is celebrated on the eve of Mahashivratri. People gather here to become Lord Shiva's Baaratis. Witnessing this procession will fill you with divinity and spirituality. Couples can also perform the Gathbandhan ritual. By offering this Ganthbandhan, Mata Parvati and Lord Shiva bestow the couple with a happy and blissful married life.
Situated on the coast of Sindhu Sagar, Somnath Temple is one of the major Mahashivratri pilgrimage destinations in India. The temple is located in Veraval, Gujarat, and houses one of the twelve Jyotirlingas in India. The temple is a must-visit place during Mahashivratri. The temple celebrates the festival with grandeur and pomp. This is a peaceful and gorgeous sea-view temple. During Mahashivratri the temple is mostly lively, adorned with lights and other decorative.
If you are on your South India tours during the time of Mahashivratri, you must visit Kailasanathar Temple in Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu. It is one of the ancient temples in the town built between 685 and 705 BC. Kailasanathar Temple is a must-visit Mahashivratri pilgrimage destination in India. Devotees visit the temple to pray and do puja throughout the night. They even take part in Bhajan and kirtans.
If you are planning to visit any of these temples then opt for a planned pilgrimage tour curated by professionals. Tour operators in India help you to witness Mahashivratri in any of these temples with no hassles.
On the day of Mahashivratri, people observe fast, visit temples, perform rituals and some opt for going on pilgrimage to honor Lord Shiva. Apart from the most popular Shiva Temples in India, Mahashivratri is enthusiastically celebrated in many cities. The entire city lights up and rings up with devotional and jubilant energy. Here are the popular places you can visit to celebrate Mahashivratri:
Every year, Magh Mela is held in Prayagraj where Mahashivratri is celebrated with great enthusiasm. This year, the celebration of Mahashivratri is exceptionally special for devotees due to the Kumbh Mela. On 26 February 2025, the Kumbh Mela will witness the spiritual peak with Mahashivratri celebrations. People take a holy dip at Sangam believing this cleanses their sins and provides liberation. People have already geared up to visit Prayagraj on this auspicious day to take the Shahi Snan, which has great importance.
Call it Varanasi, Kashi, or Banaras, one thing is for sure that divinity can be felt in every nook of the city. It is one of the most popular pilgrimage destinations in India dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is the ‘Spiritual Capital of India’ where people come from all around the world. This is one of the oldest cities in the world and is considered that lord Shiva himself built the city. Probably, there is no stronger reason than this to celebrate Mahashivratri in Varanasi.
Varanasi city is replete with Lord Shiva temples and each of them is beautifully decorated for this biggest festival. According to many legends, this is the day when Shiva married Goddess Parvati. So, you will see people recreating the scene taking the getup of Lord Shiva and Parvati and performing the ritual. The procession of temples is worthwhile watching. The streets are abuzz with bhajans and chanting mantras. Everything makes the festival even more glorious and an unforgettable moment for tourists.
Located near Haridwar, Rishikesh is one of the famous religious sites in India. The city is situated on the confluence of the River Ganga and Chandrabhaga. The pilgrimage town receives millions of visitors every year and especially on the day of Mahashivratri. It is one of the best pilgrimage destinations in India to celebrate Mahashivratri. The entire city including the smallest Shiva temples is adorned beautifully with lights. Visit the temples in Rishikesh and indulge yourself in bhajan, kirtan, chanting mantras, and meditating. Neelkanth Mahadev Temple is a must-visit on the day of Mahashivratri in Rishikesh.
Mahashivratri is one of the biggest festivals celebrated in Ujjain with zest and zeal. One should never miss a chance to witness Mahashivratri in Ujjain because the festival is celebrated here for 9 long days at Mahakaleshwar Temple. For these 9 days, devotees worship Shivji by doing Abhishek and chanting mantra. Priests and devotees also do the Shringar of the Shivalinga in Mahakaleshwar Temple to highlight the story of Mahadev. The last day is celebrated with Panchamrit and Bhasmarti. Devotees from worldwide come to perform the rituals and celebrate Mahashivratri.
Another important destination for Mahashivratri celebrations in India is Haridwar. You will see this spiritual town in completely a different avatar during the festival. The vibe of the city becomes divine and energetic during Mahashivratri. People come here to worship Mahadev and take a holy dip in the Ganga River at Har Ki Pauri Ghat. Devotees who visit Haridwar also visit Rishikesh as they are next to each other. The two most popular temples are Har Ki Pauri and Neelkanth Temple for Mahashivratri. Devotees come here in large numbers on this particular day to seek the almighty’s blessings.
Nageshwar Jyotirlinga Temple in Dwarka, Gujarat is one of the best places to celebrate Mahashivratri. The Jyotirlinga is decorated with flowers after the Abhishek with milk, honey, ghee, yogurt, and water. Pilgrims from different states and countries come here to celebrate the union of Lord Shiva and Parvati. You will see devotees singing the devotional hymn, offering prayers, and doing Abhishek. Since Mahashivratri is the biggest festival celebrated here, one should never miss a chance to witness the vibrant and spiritual experience.
One of the most famous pilgrimage sites in Southern India for Lord Shiva devotees is Srisailam. It is a small hill town in the Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh and has many ancient temples including a Jyotirlinga. It is renowned as ‘Dakshina Kashi’, which means Kashi of the South. It is one of the revered Hindu pilgrimage destinations in India. Mahashivratri is the biggest festival in the town when a special ritual is performed. The festival here is celebrated for 11 long days and the unique custom of Pagalankarana is observed in the temple. A weaver decorate a new white cloth called Paga in complete darkness.
In the northeast region of India, Guwahati is one of the best places to visit for Mahashivratri. The city celebrates the festival at Umananda Temple on Peacock Island. The island is situated in the middle of the Brahmaputra River. The atmosphere of the temple is tranquil which provides you with ultimate peace and spirituality. A lot of devotees thronged in Umananda temple to worship lord Shiva, especially on Mahashivratri.
Murudeshwar in Karnataka is famous for Murudeshwar Beach and Murudeshwar Temple located on the Kanduka Giri hills. The temple houses the second-tallest statue of Lord Shiva. Devotees from across the country visit this mesmerizing place seeking the almighty’s blessings, especially on Mahashivratri. During the festival, you will see the temple in its liveliest form.
Mahashivratri has been celebrated with great enthusiasm in Madurai from ancient times. The best places to witness the celebration are around the Meenakshi Amman Temple and Shri Ramakrishna Math. Since it is a belief that Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati were married, devotees celebrate the marital union of Shiva and Parvati. Some also imitate Tandava; a cosmic dance performed by lord Shiva himself. Mahashivratri in Madurai is a five-day celebration, where Maha Aarti, cultural activities, dances, meditation, and other spiritual activities are performed. Priests do Puja the entire night and devotees take part in Jagran and Satsang to worship the god.
If you are on your trip to India with family to celebrate Mahashivratri then we would recommend you visit Bhubaneshwar, Odisha. Lingaraj is one of the famous Shiva Temples in India located in Bhubaneshwar. The festival of Mahashivratri has been celebrated here since time immemorial. Lord Shiva is worshipped here in the form of Lingaraj. Devotees visit the temple to perform the rituals and do puja throughout the night. They even observe fast on this day. Apart from this, Mukteshwar Temple is another notable place to worship Lord Shiva and celebrate Mahashivratri in Bhubaneshwar.
So, now you know all the best places and temples to celebrate Mahashivratri this year. Plan your trip to any of the above famous pilgrimage destinations in India. These spiritual destinations and experiences await you for providing a life-transformative experience.
However, while planning your trip to the sacred shrines, you must be mindful of local customs and rules. Be respectful of the deity and offerings. Most importantly, dress modestly while visiting the temples.
Whether you are visiting a nearby temple or one of the most popular Mahashivratri pilgrimage destinations, you should know the basic rituals to offer Puja to Lord Shiva. Although Lord Shiva is known as Bholenath, Bhole means innocent. A devotee can impress him by offering Jal (water) only. However, you should still know how commonly people celebrate Mahashivratri and offer Puja to Lord Shiva.
Mahashivratri is one of the most sacred festivals in India dedicated to lord Shiva and goddess Parvati. People who offer prayers on this day, get blessed with abundance of happiness and prosperity by the almighty himself. By doing any of the rituals discussed above, you will get lord Shiva’s blessings. He will fulfill all your wishes.