Maha Shivaratri, the grand night of Lord Shiva, fills the air with bells, chants, and the fragrance of jasmine and incense.
Devotees across Odisha flock to temples, offering prayers, milk, & bael leaves to seek divine blessings. If you're planning a pilgrimage, here are some of Odisha’s most revered Shiva temples:
Lingaraj Temple, Bhubaneswar: An 11th-century marvel, Lingaraj is the king of all lingas. Devotees queue up from dawn to offer prayers, with special arrangements ensuring smooth darshan.
Lokanath Temple, Puri: Just 2 km from Jagannath Temple, this shrine’s Shiva Linga remains submerged & is visible only on Pankodhar Ekadasi before Shivratri, drawing thousands of pilgrims.
Dhabaleswar Temple, Cuttack: Perched on an island in the Mahanadi, this temple sees grand celebrations during Shivratri. Reach it by footbridge or ferry.
Kapilash Temple, Dhenkanal: Known as the ‘Kailash of Odisha,’ this hilltop temple requires climbing 1,352 steps. Pilgrims carry Mahanadi water barefoot to pour on the linga.
Gupteswar Temple, Koraput: A cave shrine with a massive lingam, linked to Lord Ram. Shivratri draws devotees who stay overnight, believing it brings healing.
Harishankar Temple, Bolangir: Nestled in the Gandhamardhan Hills, this shrine worships both Shiva and Vishnu.
Ladukeswar Temple, Nayagarh: A 15th-century temple where priests from different castes perform rituals, making it unique.
Akhandalamani Temple, Bhadrak: Situated on the Baitarani River, this temple hosts the grand Jagar Mela on Shivratri, attracting pilgrims from across Odisha.