Pilgrimage Centers of Bhagwan Shiva :

There are various ancient & modern Shiva Temples throughout India, Nepal and of course in China. We divide them into two categories : Natural & Ancient.

Natural Pilgrim Centers

In this category there are two very important and famous pilgrimages. The Kailash Yatra & the Amarnath Yatra.

Kailash Yatra :

This is the most important of all the Shiva pilgrimages. Kailash is a name of mountain in Tibet (China). It is the abode of Lord Shiva himself. It is a tough pilgrimage, and is annually organised by Govt of India with the help of Govt’s of Nepal & China. Pilgrims have to undergo medical fitness tests to see whether they can stand the rigorous journey

Amarnath Yatra :

This is another very famous annual Yatra. It starts on Raksha Bandhan Day and is a month long period few days after the Guru Poornima in monsoons. In a large cave in higher reaches of Himalayan mountains in Kashmir a large Shivlinga of ice is naturally formed every year. This alone is seen as Lord Amarnath. Now, the pilgrims have to first register themselves with the Govt of J&K before undertaking this great & adventurous Yatra.

Ancient Pilgrim Centers

In this category we place the twelve Jyotirlingas, Five Panchamahabhuta Shivlinga Temple, and Bhagwan Pashupatinath Temple at Kathmandu in Nepal.

Twelve Jyotirlingas:

These are the twelve ancient pilgrimage centers reference of which is found in the Shiv Purana. They are called jyotirlingas because Lord Shiva is said to have revealed himself to his devotees in the form of Jyoti – light. Even today devotees are said to have got his darshan in the form of jyoti at these places.

 

Five Panchamahabhuta Shivlinga :

They are all situated in South India where Lord Shiva is worshipped in the form of five basic elements. They are :

1. Akasa : Chidambareshwar (Chidambaram)
2. Vayu : Kalahastishwar (near Tirupati)
3. Agni : Arunachalam (Tiruvanamalai)
4. Jala : Jambukeshwar (Near Sriramgam)
5. Prithvi : Shivkanchi (in Kanchi)

Lord Pashupatinath:

On the southern side of River Vaghmati is situated the capital of Nepal – Kathmandu. In the devpattan locality is situated this famous temple.