The holy month of Shravan – Lord Shiva’s month has started from today. Then you have to go to Shiva temple to have darshan, right? So let’s know about 10 Shiva temples in Gujarat and their importance.
10 Holy Shiva Temples in Gujarat | shivji mandir in Gujarat:
- Somnath Mahadev Temple
- Nageshwar Jyotirlinga, Dwarka
- Stambheswar Mahadev, Bharuch
- Bhavnath Mahadev, Junagadh
- Bhadkeshwar Mahadev, Dwarka
- Koteshwar Mahadev, Kutch
- Trineteshwar Mahadev, Tarnetar
- Galteshwar Mahadev, Dakor
- Sharneshwar Mahadev, Polo Forest
- Balaram Shiva Temple, Palanur
1. Somnath Mahadev Temple
The beautiful and mesmerizing Somnath temple is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva. There are many legends about this Shiva temple. According to a legend, this temple was first made of gold by Lord Chandra. Then Ravana made it of silver. And Lord Krishna made it of sandal wood.
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel made a promise to rebuild the temple that is now visible in Somnath. He constructed the Somnath temple for the seventh time, and people consider it a symbol of victory for construction over destruction.
2. Nageshwar Jyotirlinga, Dwarka
This Jyotirlinga in Dwarka is also one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva. According to legends, a demon named Daruk imprisoned a Shiva devotee named Supriya. Supriya invoked Lord Shiva by chanting the mantra ‘Om Namh Shivay’. Lord Shiva appeared here and defeated the demon. The Shivlinga here is a self-manifested Shivlinga, meaning it manifested on its own. Gopi Lake is located near the temple. Legends connect the Galteshwar Mahadev temple with gopis visiting Lord Krishna.
3. Stambheswar Mahadev Temple, Bharuch
The Stambheshwar Mahadev temple located by the sea in Kavi Kamboi is one of the popular temples in Gujarat. Here the sea itself bathes the Shivalinga. Skanda Purana also describes this temple, and Lord Kartikeya established the holy Shivlinga here. People believe that worshiping here can be very beneficial in one’s life. It has most scenic and beautiful location in all Shiva temples.
4. Bhavnath Mahadev Temple, Junagadh
The temple of Bhavnath Mahadev is located in the city of Junagadh. It is situated at the foothills of Girnar mountain. This temple is considered to be the home of the Naga Babas. The temple is famous for Bhavanatha fair. According to legends, when Shiva and Parvati were passing over the hills of Girnar, their divine garment fell on the Mrigi Kund. Due to which this place is considered sacred for the devotees of Lord Shiva.
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5. Bhadkeshwar Mahadev Temple, Dwarka
This Shiva Temple in Dwarka is said to be 5,000 years old. This temple is also believed to be self-manifested from the Arabian Sea. Every year during the monsoon, the temple gets submerged in the sea. Devotees believe it to be anointed by nature. Bhadkeshwar Mahadev Temple is very close to Gita Temple and Rukshamni Temple. It is very difficult to describe the ethereal beauty of Bhadkeshwar Mahadev Temple.
6. Koteshwar Mahadev Temple, Kutch
The mythology of Koteshwar Mahadev temple is associated with Ravana. According to legends, Ravana received a boon from Lord Shiva as an outstanding display of his piety. As a boon he received the gift of a Shivlinga containing great spiritual powers. Ravana was carrying this Shivlinga in a hurry, when the Shivlinga accidentally fell. The Shivlinga fell on the land of Koteshwar. As a punishment for Ravana’s carelessness, thousands of Shivlingas came there to confuse Ravana. Ravana could not recognize the real Shivalinga and left with another Shivalinga. The original Shinvalinga is located here at the Koteshwar temple in Kutch.
7. Trineteshwar Mahadev Temple, Tarnetar
It is located in Tarnetar village of Surendranagar district. Mihir Bhoje built this Shiva temple in the eighth century. The Trineteshwar temple is of the Gurjar Pratihara style.
People consider the temple as one of the most beautiful religious monuments and the best example of aesthetic sculpture in Gujarat. There are three Kunds (Vishnu Kund, Brahma Kund and Shiva Kund) around the temple. The beautiful fair of Tarnetar is famous throughout Gujarat.
8. Galteshwar Mahadev Temple, Dakor
People believe that they built the Galteshwar Mahadev temple in the 12th century, and it is located in Dakor of the Kheda district. The temple is famous because of its period and its construction. It was built in the central Indian Malwa style, Bhumija, influenced by Gujarati Chaulukya architecture. It has a square sanctum sanctorum and an octagonal mandapa.
9. Sharneshwar Mahadev Temple, Polo Forest
People believe that they built this temple situated in Polo Forest in the 15th century. A big wall surrounds this temple. Due to which it can be inferred that this temple was worshiped only by a ruling queen or perhaps there was a great saint there.
10. Balaram Shiva Temple, Palanur
This temple is located in Chitrasani village, a little far from Palanpur. Water comes from gaumukha and abhisheka is done on Shivalinga. Where that water comes from is a big mystery. This holy and beautiful Shivlinga here is a self-manifested Shivlinga, meaning it manifested on its own. According to the legends here, people used to leave their small children here during severe drought. According to belief, at that time, an ascetic sage produced water using his magic and gave it to those children, thus giving them life. That is why people know it as “Balaram” Mahadev.
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