Top 10 Famous Lord Shiva Statues in India You Must Visit

“The greatest gift you can offer me is to see the divine in all things.”

(A quote from Shiv Mahapurana)

You might have heard before that India is rich in culture, heritage, and spirituality. That is true, honestly, I have traveled to more than 10 countries globally, but as an Indian, let me tell you, there is a special kind of peace in admiring Lord Shiva Statues. 

Whether you are a strong believer or just someone who loves to travel, the statues of Shiva give you peace, amazing views, and stories that have been around for thousands of years. 

Although there are countless statues of him, some of them are just different. More than sightseeing, they will make you feel spiritual vibes and connect to the strong devotion. Let’s continue with the blog to know about those statues that can make your trip unforgettable.   

1. Murudeshwar Shiva Statue, Karnataka

When my travel buddy and I started visiting the top statues of Shiva, it began from Murudeshwar in Karnataka. To be honest, I can never ever forget the moment when I was standing on the beach and looking at the 123-feet statue of him (it almost felt unreal). 

This statue of him is quite special. How? This is one of the tallest Shiva statues in the world. Murudeshwar temple is right next to the statue and has a staircase that can take you to the top. If you are visiting here, please come here by sunset or sunrise, because at that time the statue just looks divine. 

2. Kailashnath Mahadev Statue, Sikkim

I still remember the ethereal view of the Kailashnath Mahadev Statue (143 feet). It is actually located in the beautiful Teesta Valley, surrounded by the heavenly beauty of the Himalaya mountains.  

This place was actually so magnificent and peaceful at the same time. It is beautiful on its own, but honestly, if you visit here during Maha Shivratri, you will be stunned by the devotion and magic this place creates. 

3. Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga Shiva Statue, Maharashtra

The view of Bhimashankar in Maharashtra still sometimes comes in my dreams. Even the word divine is small for this place. Yes, the road was winding, and it took us some effort to reach there, but that lord shiva statue and the ancient temple made all our effort worth it. 

After admiring and taking blessings from him. We visited the nearby Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary. We spotted some wild birds there. If you are visiting the Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga Shiva statue, don’t forget to visit this sanctuary. 

4. Rishikesh Shiva Statue, Uttarakhand

If you actually want to explore the rich culture and major Hindu pilgrimage sites of India, visit Rishikesh (at least once). I have been here many times, but only once have I had the chance to sit quietly by the Ganga River and see the giant statue of Shiva. 

The whole view was so beautiful, like seeing him in deep meditation surrounded by the holy water of the Ganga. There was some kind of peaceful energy there. Trust me, you will never regret visiting this place. 

5. Kotilingeshwara Shiva Statue, Karnataka

Kotilingeshwara is quite different from wherever I have been. Apart from huge lord shiva statues, you will see millions (almost 9 million) of small Shiva lingas all around. People from all over India, actually all over the world, come here to pray and leave their own lingas. 

Even though I was there for a while, I still felt like everyone, I was also a part of something big and special too. 

6. Chandika Shiva Statue, Odisha

Love nature and quiet places? Chandikha in Odisha is just perfect for you. The statue here is surrounded by caves and forest. The good thing is that this place is not as overcrowded as others. 

When I visited Chandikha, there were very few people. And honestly, I liked that. Less crowd with a beautiful lord shiva statue in front, what else could I ask for?  

7. Haridwar Shiva Statue, Uttarakhand

When we visited another big holy city of India, Haridwar. We saw a majestic statue of Shiva near Har Ki Pauri. It was legit, 100 feet tall. Trust me when I say this, I practically had goosebumps when I felt the divine combination of the sound of holy water, Ganga aarti (chants), people filled in devotion, and the view of the huge lord shiva statue.  

I literally recommend anyone planning a trip to India to come here at least once and witness this heavenly experience. 

8. Shiv Smarak, Pune, Maharashtra

The famous Indian city Pune, which also goes by the nickname ‘Oxford of the East’, is making something really big and special called Shiv Smarak in memory of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s devotion to lord shiva. I didn’t personally visit here as it’s not finished yet, but by seeing the construction, I can imagine how massive and interesting this is going to be. 

There is some news that this is going to be the tallest statue of him in the whole country. Once it gets completed, I’m pretty sure I’ll visit here.

9. Parvati Hill Shiva Statue, Maharashtra

Again, I didn’t personally visit here (looks like Pune is calling me), but I have heard from a friend how amazing this place and the lord shiva statue are. He told me how he went up Parvati hill, and don’t worry, you don’t have to literally trek; it was an easy walk. 

On the hilltop, there is a simple yet lovely statue of him. Also, because the statue is on the hilltop, you can admire it while enjoying the beautiful nature up there. 

10. Shiva Murti at Ambaji, Gujarat

Last year, during my work trip to Gujarat, I saw the beautiful town of Ambaji and noticed the huge 64-foot Shiva murti near the Ambaji temple. The best part? I was there on Navratri (an Indian festival) at that time, and the area was decorated with lights and music. 

My travel buddy and I took the blessing of lord shiva and enjoyed the festival, and not to mention, had a lot of Indian food (festival special). Because of this experience, this work trip became a lifelong memory for me. 

Tips for Visiting Lord Shiva Statues in India

Most Indians know how visiting temples and the status of gods work here, but if you are not a native or just don’t know things related to visiting these holy places, here are helpful tips: 

• Dress simply to respect the custom, as many places are spiritual 
• Ask before taking photos; some places allow it, some don’t 
• Bring snacks and water, as some places are far from the city
• Try to visit early, as mornings are less crowded and more beautiful 
• Unsure of a custom? Follow others or simply ask a friendly local 
• Take your time, sit, and enjoy the peace around you

Conclusion

Every lord Shiva statue I visited had its own charm. I made memories, took a lot of pictures, and felt special peace. And honestly, it’s just not me; there are millions of people who visit these statues and find immense peace and devotion. 

So if you want to see India’s beauty, culture, history, and devotion, start from lord Shiva’s statues. So what are you waiting for? Go charge your camera, book the tickets and pack your bag, and get ready to feel the divine energy of lord shiva. 

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