7 FAMOUS SHIVA TEMPLES OUTSIDE INDIA

1. Munneswaram Temple in Sri Lanka

Munneswaram Temple, one of the most prominent Hindu temples in Sri Lanka, consists of several temple buildings, with the central one dedicated to Lord Shiva. This complex is believed to be over a thousand years old and has been destroyed twice due to Portuguese occupation campaigns. However, with the help of locals, the temples have been restored, preserving their heritage.

Various Hindu festivals take place here, bringing joy and a sense of community to both locals and visitors. The Munneswaram Festival, a four-week-long event, is the most popular, attracting not just Hindu devotees but also Buddhists, Catholics, and Muslims. Those who wish to celebrate specifically Lord Shiva can visit during the annual Sawan Shivratri festival, dedicated to the powerful Shiva.

2. Kauai’s Hindu Monastery in Hawaii, USA

Nestled amidst tropical rainforests and cascading waterfalls on the garden island of Kauai, Kauai’s Hindu Monastery is a beautiful temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and his children, Ganesha and Muruga. Established in 1970, the monks here live an ascetic life, growing organic food and wearing self-made clothing.

Embracing modern technology, the monks use laptops to spread information about the sanctuary, maintain their official website, and publish the "Hinduism Today" magazine. This modern approach attracts people from all walks of life, who come on pilgrimages to meditate and engage in religious service amidst the serene natural setting.

3. Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu, Nepal

Located on both banks of the sacred Bagmati river, Pashupatinath is one of the most important temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. Senior Hindu believers come here in their sunset years to die in the temple, believing that doing so guarantees reincarnation as a human. The temple complex, with its gold-plated roof and a large statue of Shiva’s bull, Nandi, is a masterpiece of Hindu architecture and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Although only Hindus are allowed into the main temple, the entire complex offers spiritual enlightenment and aesthetic beauty to pilgrims and tourists alike.

4. Katas Raj Temples in Punjab, Pakistan

The Katas Raj Temples in Punjab, Pakistan, is a beautiful complex combining ancient architecture, water pools, and greenery. The oldest temple dates back to the 6th century, and the remaining ones were built over the following centuries. The Katas pond, surrounded by various temple structures and ruins, is regarded as sacred by Hindus and is believed to have been created from Shiva’s tears.

This place where history, beauty, religion, and mythology unite offers a powerful spiritual experience for all who visit.

5. Shiva Vishnu Temple in Melbourne, Australia

The Shiva Vishnu Temple in Melbourne, constructed by the Hindu Society of Victoria in 1986, attracts numerous visitors, with up to 15,000 guests at a time. The temple’s Cultural Centre serves as a hub for cultural and spiritual enlightenment, housing a heritage museum and a library with extensive information on Hinduism. The temple also hosts yearly festivals, bringing together thousands of devotees from Australia and abroad.

6. Mukti Gupteshwar Temple in Minto, Australia

Mukti Gupteshwar Temple, the first and only man-made cave temple, was constructed between 1997 and 1999. The king of Nepal gifted a statue of Gupteshwar to the temple upon its completion. The cave temple symbolizes both the inner self and humanity’s ancient dwelling places. Today, it serves as a spiritual refuge, a venue for Hindu festivals, and a testament to Hinduism’s rich traditions in Australia.

7. Prambanan in Java, Indonesia

The largest temple complex in Indonesia, the Prambanan Temple Compound, dates back to the 9th century. It consists of multiple temple structures, with the largest dedicated to Shiva. Standing at 47 meters high, the Shiva temple is flanked by Brahma and Vishnu temples, presenting a majestic architectural wonder and another UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Though the interiors of most temples are closed to visitors for safety reasons, the compound’s magical atmosphere and rich architectural details make it a wonderful place for meditation and exploration.

Conclusion

These seven Shiva temples outside India represent just a fraction of the global treasures of Hinduism. Each temple offers unique spiritual experiences and cultural insights, making them worth discovering. Embrace the divine traditions and rituals of Hinduism this Sawan Shivratri with a range of Hindu T-shirts including Hanuman T-shirts, Ganesh T-shirts, Krishna T-shirts, Ganpati T-shirts, Anjaneya T-shirts, Krsna T-shirts, Lord Krishna T-shirts, and T-shirt Krishna. To buy a variety of hindu t shirts like shivji t shirt, hanuman t shirt, ganesh t shirt, Krishna t shirt, ram t shirt, bajrang bali t shirt etc. click here! Celebrate these sacred practices and wear your devotion with pride.

[The images used in this blog post are not owned by Anime Devta, they are just for entertainment purposes]

~Mimansa Sharma