13 Places To Celebrate Mahashivratri

What could be better than taking a trip to celebrate the auspicious occasion at places where the festival is celebrated with great fervor and enthusiasm? 

For those of you who are not aware of the festival and its grandeur, let us back up a little and tell you the history and significance of Mahashivratri, so it becomes a little easier for you to understand why devotees give so much importance to this festival. 

Why Do We Celebrate Mahashivratri?

Mahashivratri is celebrated on the 14th day of the dark fortnight in the Phalgun month, as per the Hindu Lunar calendar. 

Now why do we celebrate Mahashivratri? Lord Shiva has millions of devotees all over the world, and this day, as the name suggests is the celebration of Lord Shiva. 

As per legends, there are several stories that revolves around why we celebrate Mahashivratri. Some people are of the view that on the day of Mahashivratri Maa Parvati and Lord Shiva tied the knot, and the festival is celebrated annually to celebrate their holy union. 

Others say that it is on this day, that Lord Shiva drank the poison from the ocean to save mankind from all negativities and evil energies, after which he came to be known as Nil Kanth. Similarly, there are more stories associated with its celebration. Whatever may be the reason, we are here to celebrate the very existence of Lord Shiva and everything that he has done for all mankind.

You can also be a part of the Magh Mela which is going to be held in Prayagraj/Allahabad on the occasion of Mahashivratri Sahi Snan on 8th March for a unique and spiritual experience. 

Best Places To Celebrate Mahashivratri

1. Isha Yoga Center: Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu
2. Shree Somnath Jyotirlinga Temple: Veraval, Gujarat
3. Lokanatha Temple: Puri, Odisha
4. Nageshwar Jyotirlinga:  Dwarka, Gujarat
5. Tilbhandeshwar Temple: Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
6. Bhootnath Temple: Mandi, Himachal Pradesh
7. Srisaila Mallikarjuna Temple: Andhra Pradesh
8. Mahakaleshwar Temple: Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh
9. Matangeshwar Temple: Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh
10. Bhavnath Taleti: Junagadh, Gujarat
11. Umananda Temple: Guwahati Assam
12. Nilkanth Mahadev Temple: Haridwar, Uttarakhand
13. Magh Mela Sangam: Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh

1. Isha Yoga Center: Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu

This Yoga Center is one of the best places in India to celebrate Mahashivratri, which includes music, dance performances, and all night-long satsang, with Sadhguru himself. 

Lord Shiva’s devotees are seen fasting the entire day and they pray all night long asking for forgiveness and getting their wishes fulfilled. It is believed that the fasting of devotees makes Lord Shiva very happy. 

2. Shree Somnath Jyotirlinga Temple: Veraval, Gujarat

On the day of Mahashivratri, the Somnath Temple is decorated with LED lights and flowers, that will be a treat to the eyes. 

A large crowd gathers here to celebrate the festival, and LED lights are used for live darshan, and Shiv Puja. 

Priests of the Somnath Temple are seen doing abhishekas of the Shiv Ling with honey, sugar, milk, yoghurt, ghee and water. Enjoy the spiritual vibe all around you at the Somnath Temple, which makes it one of the best places to celebrate Mahashivratri.

3. Lokanatha Temple: Puri, Odisha

The most fascinating part about this place is that the Shiva Linga is kept under the water throughout the year, and is taken out of the water just 3 days before Mahashivratri. This water is removed for the linga’s divulgence, making it one of the best places in India for Mahashivratri. 

4. Nageshwar Jyotirlinga: Dwarka, Gujarat

The celebration of Mahashivratri includes prayers, devotion, chanting of mantras, and bhajans. You can feel the positive vibe all around you, and pretty views as the temple is decorated with lights and fresh flowers.

Priests perform the abhisheka of the Shiva Linga with honey, milk, yoghurt, water, sugar, and ghee, and devotees observe a day-long fast and spend the day praying and meditating.

Nageshwar Jyotirlinga has great spiritual energy that fills the place with a positive atmosphere, no wonder it is one of the best places to celebrate Mahashivratri.

5. Tilbhandeshwar Temple: Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh

The vibe in Varanasi is so cool that you are surely going to love the idea that you decided to celebrate Mahashivratri here. It is believed to re-ratify the holy union of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.

Varanasi is among the very few places where you can see people drinking bhang and thandai and dancing in the procession.

6. Bhootnath Temple: Mandi, Himachal Pradesh

Once you have reached Mandi, head to the Bhoothnath Temple which hosts the festival of Mahashivratri, and the most fascinating thing about this place is the story behind it.

According to legends. Almost 5 centuries back, an imperial family of Mandi started a week-long custom of organizing a fair on the auspicious occasion of Mahashivratri, and till date the Fair is celebrated by the Indians, and foreign tourists are also seen enjoying the fair, which makes it one of the best places in India to celebrate Mahashivratri with some of the best Mahashivratri Events that take place here.

7. Srisaila Mallikarjuna Temple: Andhra Pradesh

It is said that the wedding of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati took place on the day of Mahashivratri, and it is also believed that Lord Shiva performed the Shiv Tandav on this day. No matter what the occasion, we are happy to celebrate the festival at one of the best places to celebrate Mahashivratri.

8. Mahakaleshwar Temple: Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh

As per the folk tales, there was a demon, called Dushana, who tortured the people of Avanti, and Lord Shiva appeared from the ground and defeated the demon. As a gesture of being grateful, the people of Avanti requested Lord Shiva to take up an enduring home in Avanti, and hence the Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga came into existence. 

Mahakaleshwar is among the best places in India for Mahashivratri because of the heroic story that lies behind it.

9. Matangeshwar Temple: Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh

You can see a large number of people taking dips in the Sagar tank in a belief to wash away their sins. Take part in the 10-day long fair, which can be visited by people from all age groups, who come here to pray and seek forgiveness and blessings from their Lord, making it one of the best places to celebrate Mahashivratri.

10. Bhavnath Taleti: Junagadh, Gujarat

During the time of Mahashivratri, Junagadh attracts hundreds of devotees of Lord Shiva, for the Shivratri Mela. Junagadh is home to several Sadhus who were seen here during the time of Mahashivratri. 

The fair starts 5 days prior to the festival, with its last day on Mahashivratri, making it one of the best places to celebrate Mahashivratri amidst the Sadhus and to experience the unique culture. You can also enjoy mountain climbing here if adventure is what you like.

11. Umananda Temple: Guwahati Assam

The Umananda Temple is situated on Peacock Island amidst a tranquil environment, attracting many devotees from all corners of the country to be a part of the outstanding fiesta.

12. Nilkanth Mahadev Temple: Haridwar, Uttarakhand

Haridwar is one of the best places to celebrate Mahashivratri, known for its ghats and Ganga Aarti and prayers at Har Ki Pauri. 

Devotees head to the Nilkanth Mahadev Temple during the time of Mahashivratri to seek blessings. Besides that, you can also indulge in adventure activities here including river rafting, bungee jumping, and other activities as well. 

Suggested Read: How To Reach Mount Kailash?

13. Magh Mela Sangam: Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh

Thousands of devotees head to Allahabad to take dips in the holy water of the Ganges to wash away their sins, and what could be a better time than the auspicious occasion of Mahashivratri?