Maha Shivratri 2022 – Top 05 Places You Should Probably Not Miss

Are you planning a one-of-a-kind trip to commemorate Maha Shivratri 2022? Looking for the best places to celebrate India’s divine festival? If yes then you’ve come to the right place!

Maha Shivratri, which translates to “Great Night of Shiva,” is a Hindu festival celebrated primarily in India and Nepal. The festival is held on the new moon day of the Hindu calendar month of ‘Maagha’, which corresponds to February or early March.   

Mahashivratri is celebrated with great pomp and vigor in India. If you want to trace back the historic reasons why Mahashivratri is celebrated, then continue scrolling to know the best places to visit in India for Maha Shivratri 2022.

Places to visit for Maha Shivratri 2022 –

1. Umananda Temple, Guwahati

The temple is situated on Bhasmakala or Bhasmakuta Hill. In 1694 A.D., King Gadadhar Singha built the island for the first time. However, it was damaged by an earthquake in 1897 and was later restored by a wealthy local merchant. The Umananda temple was magnificently built by skilled Assamese workers. In addition to Lord Shiva, the temples house the idols of ten other Hindu Gods.

Umananda Temple is located on Peacock Island in the vast Brahmaputra River. This lovely temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is named after him. ‘Umananda’ is a combination of two Hindi words: ‘Uma,’ another name for Lord Shiva’s bride, and ‘Ananda,’ which means bliss. Peacock Island is one of the world’s smallest inhabited islands, but it’s also one of the most beautiful places to visit for Mahashivratri 2022. The temple’s surroundings, as well as the island’s stunning yet understated beauty, make it a haven for nature lovers.

Maha Shivratri is celebrated with great pomp and vigor at this temple. This is a significant event because the temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Mondays are considered the holiest days of the week, with pilgrims traveling from all over the world to pay their respects.

Timing – Umananda Temple is open for visitors from 05:30 a.m. – 06:00 p.m. on all days of the week. 

How to reach – The Umananda Temple can be reached by ferry from Guwahati and North Guwahati. Both the Fancy Bazaar and Sukleshwar ghats have ferries. Despite their high cost, ferries provide an unforgettable experience. Tourists can witness the energy of the Brahmaputra River, and the scenery is breathtaking. Taking the Inland Water Transport from Uzanbazaar Ferry Ghat to Peacock Island to Guwahati, on the other hand, is a much more cost-effective option.

2. Neelkanth Mahadev Temple, Rishikesh

Rishikesh is well-known for several things, including the famous Shiva Temple known as the Neelkanth Mahadev Temple. The majesty and charm of the beautiful city tell the most ancient of all Hindu mythological tales and major events. Neelkanth Mahadev is indeed the best temple to visit for Maha Shivratri 2022.

The temple is a sacred pilgrimage site located 32 kilometers from Rishikesh. The Shiva abode is located at a height of 1330 meters in the valleys of Manikoot, Brahmakoot, and Vishnukoot. The temple is situated at the confluence of the Pankaja and Madhumati rivers, surrounded by deep forests and the rugged Nar-Narayan mountain ranges.

According to Hindu mythology, Lord Shiva drank the poison Halahala, which came from the sea when the Devas and Asuras churned it in search of Amrita. When he stopped the poison in his throat, his neck turned blue. As a result, Lord Shiva is also known as the “Blue Throated One,” or Neelkanth. If you’re visiting Rishikesh then you should also try your hand on some adventure.

The temple’s construction is exquisite, and the façade depicts Samudra-mythological Manthan’s storey. In the narrative of Samudra-Manthan, Lord Shiva is depicted consuming poison, which is depicted with beautiful carvings of colorful idols of Devas and Asuras. The sanctum sanctorum at the temple’s entrance houses a Shiva lingam and a life-size statue of goddess Parvati. Worshipers traditionally take a holy bath in the temple complex’s natural spring before entering the temple grounds.

The temple celebrates two annual festivals, Maha Shivratri (February/March) and Shraavana Shivratri (July/August), during which pilgrims trek from Haridwar to the Neelkanth Mahadev Temple. The devotees who pay a visit to the temple make an offering of bael leaf, flowers, milk, honey, coconut, fruits and flowers to Lord Shiva. 

Planning to visit this town? Check out our splendid 3 days Rishikesh itinerary now!

3. Bhavnath Taleti, Junagadh, Gujarat

The most sacred place at Girnar Taleti is Shree Bhavnath Temple. Girnar Parikrama is a large annual Hindu festival. Girnar is visited by over ten lakh pilgrims as a result of the procession. A procession of sadhus and pilgrims begins and ends at the Bhavanat Temple. This celebration takes place on the 11th day of the Hindu calendar month of Kartik. The Girnar Parikrma is said to be the best thing to do on Maha Shivratri 2022.

The Girnar Yatra, also known as the Girnar Parikrama, is a 36-kilometer pilgrimage. The procession starts at Rupayatan or the Dhudeshwar Temple in Bhavnath and travels through the Gir Forest to Girnar Taleti.

This holy 5-day journey through the woods is thought to be a 5000-year-old tradition mentioned in the sacred Shiva Purana. The Girnar Parikrama is said to be a unifying event, with participants from all walks of life flocking to take part. 

Timing – The temple is open from morning 07 to evening 07. 

4. Matangeshwar Temple, Khajuraho

Matangeshwar Temple is a Hindu temple located 1 km from the Khajuraho Bus Stand in Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh, India. It is close to the well-known Lakshmana Temple. It is one of the Western Group temples and worth visiting place for Maha Shivratri 2022. Among the Chandela-era monuments, this is the only Hindu temple at Khajuraho that is still used for worship.

The Matangeshwar temple was built in the early 10th century AD by Chandra Dev, the monarch of the Chandela dynasty. Lord Shiva was a zealous devotee of the king. Matangeswarar is named after Lord Shiva, who is known as the sage Matang in Hinduism. It is one of the oldest temples in Madhya Pradesh.

Some of India’s largest Shiva lingams can be found in this temple. The lingam is eight feet tall and made of brilliant yellow limestone. A small Ganesh construction can be found in the upper right corner, and a large painting of a Goddess with two lesser attendant deities was erected on the way to the temple. This is one of the holiest temples in central India, with a large number of devotees.

On a daily basis, Lord Shiva is worshipped by bathing the Linga in milk, bilwa leaves, and flowers. This temple celebrates Maha Shivaratri with fervor and vigor. The lingam is bathed, clothed, and ornamented in the manner of a human bridegroom on the auspicious day of Mahashivratri. It is indeed one of the best places to visit for Maha Shivratri 2022.

Timing – The temple is open from 06 a.m. to 10 p.m. 

5. Mahakaleshwar Temple, Ujjain

The Mahakaleshwar Temple is one of the country’s 12 jyotirlingas and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is also one of the most notable temples in Ujjain. Mahakaleshwar’s lingam is said to be swayambhu, or self-manifested, and is housed in a subterranean chamber.

One of India’s 18 Maha Shakti Peethas is also located in Mahakaleshwar. Another feature that distinguishes Mahakaleshwar is one of India’s most revered Jyotirlingas is that, unlike all other Jyotirlingas, Mahakaleshwar’s idol faces south. The Bhasma-Aarti at the Mahakaleshwar Temple, which is considered a Hindu pilgrimage, is extremely popular among devotees. 

The Mahakaleshwar Temple complex includes a large courtyard with sculptural finery and sophistication influenced by Maratha, Bhumija, and Chalukya architectural traditions, as well as lingam sculptures of Mahakaleshwar. It also has inscriptions of Omkaresvara and Nagachandresvara, as well as images of Ganesha, Kartikeya, and Parvati.

The temple, which is spread across five levels, sees a massive throng of worshipers during the Maha Shivaratri celebration. Bhasma Arti in Mahakaleshwar Temple is open for devotees on Saturday. One should definitely plan a trip to Ujjain and visit Mahakaleshwar Temple to make their Maha Shivratri 2022 worth remembering. Please check out historical, wildlife, and religious places to visit in Madhya Pradesh.

Timing – The temple is open from 04:00 a.m to 11:00 p.m.