4 Powerful Lord Shiva Temples Over 1,000 Years Old (Must Visit)

India is a country that is filled with temples that represent our deep-rooted traditions and cultural heritage. When we visit these temples, we are unlocking the doors to a boundless storage of ancestral wisdom. The sacred energy that lingers around these temples create a profound sense of calm inside our hearts. However, there are some temples in our country that have stood the test of time. Due to divine blessings, these temples have been remaining with us for more than a millennium now. Let’s explore the most famous and powerful among them in this article.

Located in the Thanjavur district of Tamil Nadu, Brihadeeswarar temple was built in 1010 CE by Raja Raja Chola I. The temple honours Lord Shiva or Brihadeeswarar and is considered as a representative architectural achievement of the Chola Dynasty. Did you know that this iconic temple is home to one of the largest Shiva Lingams in our country? Furthermore, it is believed that Lord Brihadeeswarar’s blessings can fulfil any of our wishes.

Additionally, Dravidian architectural brilliance is palpable in the massive Vimana which has a height of about 216 feet. This rare temple tower is one of the largest in the world. The temple was built during a time in which granite was not readily available in South India. It had to be bought from distant lands. Therefore, the fact that it was built completely using granite is another great achievement of Brihadeeswarar temple. Today, it is recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

It is believed that the Pandavas constructed this temple to attain forgiveness from Lord Shiva after the Mahabharata war. According to the legend, Shiva appeared in front of them in the form of a bull. Located at an altitude of about 3,583 meters in the mighty Himalayas, Kedarnath temple honours Lord Neelakanta in the form of a Jyothirlinga which is pyramid in shape.

Even though legends attribute its origins to the time of the Pandavas, the foundation of the stone structure that we see today was laid by Adi Shankaracharya in the 8th century CE. Moreover, Indian media organisations celebrated the temple’s incredible survival during the 2013 Uttarakahand floods. It was observed that a huge boulder rolled down and stopped just behind the shrine when the floods unleashed massive destruction throughout the locality. However, this boulder protected the sanctum by diverting floodwaters. Therefore, today it is known as Bhim Shila.

Situated within the Ellora Caves complex, which is recognised as another UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Kailasa Temple is also dedicated to Lord Neelakanta. Historians report that the temple was built in the 8th century CE when the Rashtrakuta king Krishna I was ruling.

What makes this temple an absolutely stunning sight of wonder is the fact that it was built entirely using a single and huge basalt rock. The construction technique is jaw-dropping. Kailash temple was excavated from top to bottom. It has been estimated that almost 4 lakh tons of rock was removed without using any kinds of modern equipments. The engineering technique that our ancestors used to create this marvellous wonder still continues to amaze researchers and scientists alike.

Located along the Bay of Bengal at Tamil Nadu, the Shore Temple was constructed in 8th century CE under the ruling period of Pallava king Narasimhavarman II. The temple premise contains three shrines where two of them are dedicated to Lord Shiva and one for Bhagwan Vishnu.

It is one of the earliest examples of Dravidian temple architecture where vimanas or pyramid towers are placed one above the other. Recognised by UNESCO as another World Heritage Site, this temple is placed near the seashore as the name suggests. This locations makes Shore Temple one of the rare pilgrimage sites that can be seen facing the sea.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Which is the 2nd highest Shiva temple in the world?
   Tungnath Temple in Uttarakhand, India is often cited as one of the world's highest Shiva temples.
2. Which jyotirlinga is most powerful?
   Kashi Vishwanath, Mahakaleshwar, Somnath, and Kedarnath are often considered as the most powerful jyotirlingas in the world.
3. What is the oldest evidence of Shiva?
   The oldest mentions of Shiva link back to the Vedic deity Rudra, found in the Rig Veda. Rudra is portrayed as a fierce storm god with tranquil aspects.