Savan in India is a time when faith flows stronger than rivers, a time when every heart keeps chanting Har Har Mahadev. As monsoon clouds drench the land in life-giving rain, millions of devotees dedicate this sacred month to worshipping Lord Shiva, the supreme yogi. From early morning aartis to barefoot pilgrimages and ritual abhisheks, Savan (or Shravan Maas) turns ordinary places into spiritual hotspots. To give you all the information about it, here are the top 10 Shiva temples to visit in Savan. Check out these places on your trip today.
Significance of Visiting Shiva Temples in Sawan
The month of Sawan is very auspicious for Hindus as its origin can be traced back to ancient Hindu mythology and scriptures. It was the time when Shivji consumed the poison during the cosmic churning of the milky ocean. His wife Goddess Parvati pressed his throat to prevent its spread is a central theme in the Hindu narrative. This event is often referred to as the “Samudra Manthan” - Churning of the Ocean which plays a significant role in the rise of the Sawan month.
This act of Shiv Ji of consuming the poison himself to protect the universe earned him the name of "Neelkantha" - the one with a blue throat. Over time, the month of Sawan became a special period dedicated to offering prayers, performing rituals as well as remembering Shiva’s great deed of saving the universe.
Top Shiva Temples to visit from Delhi
1. Kashi Vishwanath Temple
Kashi Vishwanath is the most celebrated Varanasi Shiva temple, more like an icon among the famous Shiva temples in India. Ancient texts describe it as the place where liberation is guaranteed for anyone who dies within Kashi. During Savan, the temple’s golden spire gleams over the surging crowds offering Ganga jal and chanting “Har Har Mahadev.” The experience is unforgettable, especially if you also witness the Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat.
Location: Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
Distance from Delhi: ~872 km
2. Kedarnath Temple
Kedarnath is one of the auspicious Temples to visit in Char Dham Yatra, situated at 3,583 meters. It is also one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Shiva. According to mythology, after the Mahabharata war, the Pandavas came here to seek forgiveness from Shiv ji. Today, pilgrims trek through rugged trails, chanting Har Har Mahadev, just to glimpse the weathered stone lingam that has survived floods, earthquakes and of course centuries of faith. During Savan, the temple resonates with a different energy—one of surrender, endurance, as well as the unwavering devotion that makes Mahadev the Lord of all hearts.
Location: Rudraprayag District, Uttarakhand
Delhi to Kedarnath: ~452 km (to Gaurikund) + 16 km trek
Travel Tip: How to Explore Kedarnath?
3. Mahakaleshwar Temple
Mahakaleshwar is not only a Jyotirlinga but also a Shakti Peeth, making it one of the famous Shiva temples in India. Here, the lingam faces south, a rare and powerful orientation representing Shiva as Mahakal which means the Lord of Time.
By the time of morning, the temple hosts the famous Bhasma Aarti, where the lingam is bathed in sacred ash. During Savan, lakhs of devotees arrive to witness this mesmerising ritual and feel the deep, unshakeable presence of Shiva. If you are visiting Ujjain for Mahakal Darshan, plan the Mahakaleshwar Omkareshar tour for darshan of two Jyotirlingas in MP.
Location: Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh
Distance from Delhi: ~820 km
4. Baidyanath Dham – The Healing Jyotirlinga
Also called as Baba Dham, Baidyanath is another temple of the twelve Jyotirlingas and is believed to have immense healing powers. According to legend, Ravana himself worshipped here, offering his ten heads to Shiva in penance. Pretty amazing, right? During Savan, millions of Kanwariyas undertake a challenging yatra, carrying holy Ganga water from Sultanganj for hundreds of miles just to pour over the lingam.
The atmosphere is charged with chants, devotion, and the unshakable belief of pilgrims that Mahadev heals all wounds. Visiting Baidyanath Dham is like once in an lifetime experience to remember all your life
Location: Deoghar, Jharkhand
Delhi to Baiyanath Dham- 1,302 km
5. Adiyogi Shiva Temple Coimbatore – The Face of Modern Devotion
While this is technically a statue rather than a temple, the Adiyogi Shiva Temple Coimbatore has become an icon of modern spirituality. This is a 112-foot statue depicting Shiva as the first yogi—Adi Yogi—and is recognized by the Guinness World Records. Surrounded by the beautiful greenery at the foothills of the Velliangiri Mountains, it is a place where meditation, yoga as well as devotion merge into a peaceful experience. If you ever travel South during Savan, don’t miss this unique tribute to Bhole Nath.
Location: Isha Yoga Center, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu
Delhi to Adiyogi: 2,411 km
6. Neelkanth Mahadev Temple
Neelkanth Mahadev Temple in Rishikesh stands quietly amid dense forests at 1,330 meters. It is believed to be the exact place where Lord Shiva drank the deadly halahal poison during the churning of the ocean, earning the name Neelkanth, the blue-throated one. During Savan, this temple is visited by thousands of devotees who then offer bel leaves, honey and sacred water. The temple complex comes alive with sadhus, pilgrims and locals sharing steaming cups of chai and stories of Shiva’s grace. If you prefer a shorter journey that still feels spiritual, Neelkanth is among the best Shiva temples in Uttarakhand to visit.
Location: Near Rishikesh, Uttarakhand
Distance from Delhi: ~259 km
7. Amarnath Cave Temple
Every Savan, a naturally formed ice lingam, appears deep inside the Amarnath Cave. This is Baba Barfani, a place that draws thousands of pilgrims from around the world. Here the the Amarnath lingam is also known as the Swayambhu Shiva Ling. The journey is demanding—steep climbs, cold winds, and unpredictable weather—but the sight of the ice lingam feels like a blessing straight from Mahadev himself.
According to legend, this cave is where Shiva revealed the secrets of immortality to Parvati. Whether you take the Baltal route or the longer Pahalgam trail, this yatra is a test of both body and spirit. No list of famous Shiva temples in India is complete without mentioning Amarnath.
Location: Anantnag District, Jammu & Kashmir
Delhi to Amarnath distance - 889 km
8. Bijli Mahadev Temple
Bijli Mahadev in Himachal is among the most fascinating Temples in Himachal. It is said that every time lightning strikes at this temple, the shivling here breaks into pieces. After this, the priest here performs a pooja and uses butter and sattu to join it again. And the magic is, it starts to look exactly like it was before, unbroken. Perched at nearly 2,460 meters, there is a 3 km trek uphill that rewards you with the most amazing views of the Kullu and Parvati valleys.
During Savan, devotees climb carrying water and offerings, believing that Bhole Nath accepts every step taken in faith. The temple’s simplicity and the way it merges with the sky leave a lasting impression.
Location: Kullu District, Himachal Pradesh
Distance from Delhi: ~500 km
9. Somnath Temple
As the first of the twelve Jyotirlingas, Somnath has consistently been a place of unwavering faith for thousands of years. It is said that the original temple was built by the Moon God himself, who was freed from a curse by worshipping Lord Shiva here. During Savan, the temple draws countless pilgrims who come to offer water and flowers to the sacred lingam.
The evening aarti here is dreamy—as by that time, the Golden Temple is bathed in light against the darkening sky, with the sound of the Shankh blending with the roar of the ocean, making it a truly heavenly experience.
Location: Prabhas Patan, Veraval, Gujarat
Distance from Delhi: ~1,250 km
10. Tungnath Temple
Tungnath Temple is the highest Shiva temple in the world, located at an altitude of about 3,680 meters (12,073 feet) in the Garhwal region. Not only is this bus it is also the highest of the five Panch Kedar temples, and it is also believed to be over 1,000 years old. According to legend, the temple was built by the Pandavas to seek Lord Shiva’s forgiveness after the Kurukshetra war.
The trek to Tungnath Mahadev Temple begins from Chopta and offers the most amazing views of snowy peaks like Nanda Devi, Chaukhamba as well as Trishul.
During the holy month of Sawan, the temple holds special significance as Pilgrims visit here with offerings like water, flowers, honey as well as Bel Patra to Lord Shiva, believing that prayers they make during this time will bring immense blessings and spiritual merit.
Location: Tungnath Temple is in Rudraprayag district, Uttarakhand
Delhi to Tungnath distance: 444km
Other famous Shiva Temples in India
The list of Shiv temples in India is like never-ending. Here is a list of other temples that you can explore -
Lingaraj Temple - Odisha
Trimbakeshwar Temple - Maharashtra
Murudeshwar Temple - Karnataka
Baba Bhootnath Mandir- Himachal Pradesh
Uthirakosamangai Mangalanathaswamy Temple - Ramanathapuram, Tamil Nadu
Final words
Sawan is the time when every drop of rain feels like a message from Bhole Nath. It is when hearts learn to let go, and every prayer makes the soul feel lighter. In the stillness of Shiva temples with the sound of Shankh and mantras, one can actually discover the gentle power of devotion. May your days be filled with faith as high as the Himalayas and blessings as endless as the Ganga.
Har Har Mahadev!
