10 Must-Visit Shiva Temples in Sawan | Divine Pilgrimage & Blessings

Jul 11, 2025

10 Must-Visit Shiva Temples in Sawan for Divine Pilgrimage & Blessings

The holy month of Sawan is the most auspicious and spiritual month according to the Hindu Calendar, as it is entirely dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is said that when the monsoon clouds gather, the lakes and nature awaken with life, and it is when Sawan begins, which is the fifth month of the Hindu Calendar. The auspicious month is filled with fasting, prayers, and temple visits to seek the blessings of Lord Shiva; however, devotees believe that Sawan brings positivity, peace, divine blessings, and prosperity into their lives. During this time, most Pilgrims visit the oldest, grandest, and most enchanting temples. If you are also planning to start your spiritual journey this year during Sawan 2025, here is a list of 10 must-visit Shiva temples in Sawan that are rich in historical significance, mythology, and incredible locations.

List of Top 10 Shiva Temples to Visit in Sawan

1. Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Varanasi
2. Somnath Temple, Gujarat
3. Shri Kedarnath Temple, Uttarakhand
4. Mahakaleshwar Temple, Ujjain
5. Rameshwaram Ramanathaswamy Temple, Tamil Nadu
6. Trimbakeshwar Temple, Nashik
7. Lingaraj Temple, Bhubaneswar
8. Baidyanath Jyotirlinga Temple, Deoghar
9. Taraknath Temple
10. Neelkanth Mahadev Temple

1. Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Varanasi

Undoubtedly, Kashi Vishwanath Temple is the most iconic and famous temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and is also recognised as one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, as it holds historical and spiritual significance for Hindus. There is a belief that whoever visits Kashi Vishwanath may attain Nirvana and be free from the cycle of birth and death, as the temple symbolises the immortal celestial energy and power. In the month of Sawan, thousands of pilgrims visit this temple across the Globe to take blessings.

Location: Lahori Tola, Varanasi, Domari, Uttar Pradesh.

How to reach:

Devotees can reach the temple via Air, Road, and train, as Varanasi is well connected to numerous cities by various modes of transport.

By Air: The nearest Airport to Kashi Vishwanath is Lal Bahadur Shastri Airport, which is just 25 km from the main city.
By Road: The city is well connected to major cities such as Delhi, Lucknow, Kanpur, Patna, and Allahabad.
By Train: The temple is easily accessible from the nearest railway Station, Varanasi Junction.

2. Somnath Temple, Gujarat

The Serpentine-carved Somnath temple is the first among all the twelve Jyotirlinga in India and is located on the western edge of Gujarat. It is believed to be a place where Lord Shiva emerges as a cosmic pillar of light. The temple lies on the banks of the Kapila, Hiran, and Sarasvati rivers, and the Arabian Sea touches the shores. The ancient temple has been rebuilt multiple times, but the modern symmetrical structure was constructed in 1950. Therefore, the best time to visit Somnath Temple is between the Months of October and February; however, Shivratri and Kartik Purnima are celebrated with great enthusiasm.

Location: Somnath Mandir Rd, Somnath, Prabhas Patan, Gujarat.

How to reach:

There are multiple modes of transport available to reach the Somnath Temple, as listed below.

By Air: Diu Airport is the nearest Airport, located approximately 85 km from the Somnath Temple.
By Road: Somnath is well connected by road, with taxis and buses available from various cities like Rajkot and Junagadh.
By Train: The nearest Railway Station to the Somnath Temple is Veraval Railway Station.

3. Shri Kedarnath JyotirlingaTemple, Uttarakhand

Kedarnath Temple is one of the most revered Lord Shiva temples, known for its intense spirituality and as part of the Char Dham Yatra. The Auspicious Hindu Temple is nestled in the Garhwal Himalayan Range near the Mandakini River and is also one of the twelve Jyotirlinga. Devotees believe that after the Mahabharata, the Pandavas sought forgiveness for killing their tribe, so Lord Shiva escaped to Kedarnath, where, when found, he disappeared into the earth, leaving behind his hump at Kedarnath.

Location: Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand.

How to reach:

Pilgrims can visit the Kedarnath temple during Sawan by air, Road, or train.

By Air: The nearest Airport to Kedarnath Dham is Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun, from which the temple is 239 km away.
By Road: The temple is connected via road from various cities to the Base camp, and from Gaurikund, every devotee must trek 16 km to seek the blessings of Lord Shiva.
By Train: Rishikesh Railway Station is the nearest station to the temple. Buses and taxis are available to provide connectivity between Rishikesh and Gaurikund.

See also: 15 famous temples in Hyderabad

4. Mahakaleshwar Temple, Ujjain

Mahakaleshwar Temple is recognised as the only Jyotirlinga facing South among the twelve Jyotirlingas, hence it is also called the Dakshinmukhi Jyotirlinga. It is a tremendously powerful and spiritual temple, renowned for its unique Bhasma Aarti ritual, in which priests worship Lord Shiva with sacred ash every early morning. It is believed that the temple is entrenched because Lord Shiva protected the city from the Demon called Dushana. Lord Shiva is recognised as Mahakal, the lord of time and death.

Location: inside Mahakal Mandir, Jaisinghpura, Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh.

How to reach:

By Air: Indore Airport (Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Airport) is located 55 km from the main city.
By Road: The city is undeniably well-connected to various MP cities.
By Train: Ujjain Junction Railway Station is the nearest Railway Station to the temple, located 1.5 km from the city.

5. Rameshwaram Ramanathaswamy Temple, Tamil Nadu

The incredible Hindu temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is also one of the twelve Jyotirlinga. No Hindu Journey is considered complete without a visit to both Kashi Vishwanath and Rameshwaram temple. Therefore, the temple is a delight by itself for every devotee because of its magnificent structure, long corridors, vibrant, coloured carved pillars, and divine energy. During the spiritual month of Sawan every year, thousands of Pilgrims come to the Rameshwaram temple to perform rituals for their ancestors, bringing peace and prosperity to their lives.

Location: E Car St, Rameshwaram, Tamil Nadu.

How to reach:

By Air: Madurai Airport is close to the iconic Rameshwaram Ramanathaswamy Temple, approximately 170 km away.
By Road: The temple is connected by road through the Pamban Bridge.
By Train: Pilgrims also visit the temple by train to the nearest Railway Station, Rameshwaram Railway Station, which is 1.5km from the main temple.

6. Trimbakeshwar Temple, Nashik

Shri Trimbakeshwar temple is one of the ancient Lord Shiva temples located in the heart of Nashik, Maharashtra. The holy shrine is not only known as one of the twelve Jyotirlinga but also houses three lingams - Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh ( Shiva), which reside near the Holy Godavari River, which is also recognised as Gautami Ganga. Trimbakeshwar is not only a place for worship but also carries a living legacy of rich mythology and ancient knowledge.

Location: Trimbak town (30km from Nashik), Maharashtra.

How to reach:

By Air: The nearest airports are Nashik Airport, 42km from the temple, and Mumbai International Airport, 180 km from Trimbak town.
By Road: The Trimbak is well connected by road from Nashik.
By Train: Nashik Railway Station is the closest railway station, approximately 32 km from the city.

7. Lingaraj Temple, Bhubaneshwar

It is one of the most ancient and revered temples in Odisha, constructed in the 11th century AD, and it perfectly exemplifies Kalinga-style architecture. Therefore, the temple is dedicated to the Lord Harihara, a combined form of Lord Shiva and Vishnu. Every year in the month of Sawan, the temple hosts a large gathering and rituals performed by pilgrims specifically on every Monday of the Sawan Month. It is believed that Lord Shiva manifested here as Lingaraj, hence the name Lingaraj Temple.

Location: Lingaraj Temple Rd, Lingaraj Nagar, Old Town, Bhubaneswar, Odisha.

How to reach:

By Air: The nearest airport is Biju Patnaik International Airport, which is nearly 4km from the temple.
By Road: Devotees can easily find bus and taxi options from Odisha, which is well connected by road to Bhubaneshwar.
By Train: The closest Railway Station to the Lingaraj temple is Bhubaneswar Railway Station, which is 3.5 km from the temple.

8. Baidyanath Jyotirlinga Temple, Deoghar

The iconic Baidyanath Temple is also recognised as the Baba Baidyanath Dham among devotees and is one of the Jyotirlingas. The most revered Hindu temple is located in Deoghar, Jharkhand, and the temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Here, Pilgrims worshipped Lord Shiva as a healer and visited the temple to seek blessings and Spiritual growth. Besides that, the holy place is especially renowned for the Kanwar Yatra, which takes place every year in the auspicious month of Sawan, when millions of devotees walk barefoot, carrying Ganga jal to offer at the temple on the day of Shivratri.

Location: Deoghar, Jharkhand.

How to reach:

By Air: Deoghar Airport is considered one of the nearest airports to the Baidyanath Temple.
By Road: Buses and taxis are available from several cities, including Ranchi and Patna, to Deoghar.
By Train: There are two railway stations nearest to the Baidyanath Jyotirlinga temple: Deoghar Railway Station and Jasidih Junction, both 7km from the temple.

See also: Top 10 Famous Temples in Delhi

9. Taraknath Temple

Taraknath temple is located in Eastern India and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is one of the famous pilgrimage spots of Tarakeshwar town in West Bengal; therefore, the temple was constructed in 1729. During the month of Sawan, thousands of Pilgrims visit the temple to worship Lord Shiva, making it the focal point of religious and traditional observance. It is believed that worship here during Sawan brings gratification of wishes.

Location: Nestled in Tarakeshwar town, Hooghly district, West Bengal.

How to reach:

There are various transport systems available to visit the Taraknath Temple, as listed below.

By Air: The closest Airport to the Taraknath Temple is Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata, just 70 km from the city.
By Road: Travellers can easily reach Kolkata and other nearby cities by road.
By Train: Tarkeshwar Railway Station is approximately 1 km from the temple.

See also: Top 10 Richest Temples in India

10. Neelkanth Mahadev Temple

Neelkanth Mahadev temple is one of the famous Lord Shiva temples, surrounded by a dense forest and located at an altitude of 1330 m. The mythology, besides the temple, is that it is a place where Lord Shiva consumed the poison during the Samudra Manthan, and his throat turned blue, so the Neelkanth Temple is considered his throat. The holy temple hosts millions of devotees during the month of Sawan.

Location: The temple is 32 km from Rishikesh, Pauri Garhwal district.

How to reach:

Devotees can visit the temple using various modes of transportation according to their preferences.

By Air: The closest Airport to the Neelkanth Temple is Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun, 49km away.
By Road: The temple is well connected by road from Rishikesh and Haridwar; taxis and buses are available.
By Train: Undeniably, Rishikesh Railway Station is one of the closest railway stations, which is located 32 km from the temple.

Conclusion:

Sawan is considered the most auspicious and spiritual month in the Hindu Calendar; it is also a path of devotion and divine connection. To make the journey more spiritual, millions of pilgrims visit the above-mentioned 10 holy temples during the month of Sawan to find peace, calm, clarity, and spiritual strength, and to seek blessings for health and prosperity from Lord Shiva. Also, devotees perform ancient rituals and Rudraabhishek to fulfil their wishes. The data above shows the 10 must-visit temples of Lord Shiva.