5 Famous Shiva Temples Outside India You Must Visit At Least Once

Lord Shiva Temples Outside India

Visit these well-known Lord Shiva temples outside India to seek his blessings:

Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu, Nepal

Pashupathinath, meaning ‘Lord of the Animals’, is a temple that is one of the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalams and among the oldest in Kathmandu, Nepal. According to chronicles, Jayadeva built it way back in 753 AD. The temple was reconstructed in the 17th century after suffering major damage from termites. Inside, there's a meter-high lingam with four faces.

Arulmigu Sri Raja Kaliamman Temple in Johor Baru,‪ Malaysia‬

Built in 1922, this is one of the oldest temples in Johor Baru. The Sultan of Johore gifted the land to the Indian community. Starting out as a simple hut, the temple has evolved into a grand structure over the years. What's really unique about this temple is its beautiful, detailed glass work. And in the sanctum where Lord Shiva's idol is kept, the wall is adorned with over 300,000 Rudraksha beads.

Munneswaram Temple in Munneswaram, ‪SriLanka‬

This temple is believed to have existed since the time of the Ramayana. Legend has it that Lord Ram prayed to Lord Shiva here after defeating Ravana. The temple complex consists of five temples, with the one dedicated to Lord Shiva being the central and largest. The temple was destroyed twice by the Portuguese before being handed over to the Jesuits, who rebuilt it. Festivals like Shivratri and Navratri are celebrated here with great grandeur.

Katasraj Temple in Chakwal, Pakistan

This temple in the Chakwal district of Punjab, near Lahore in Pakistan, is said to date back to the time of the Mahabharata. Legend says the Pandava brothers took shelter here during their exile. According to myth, when Lord Shiva's wife Sati died, he grieved so much that two pools were formed - one in Pushkar and the other here. The temple complex has seven temples, with the one dedicated to Lord Shiva built on a square platform and featuring a recessed round arch at the entrance.

Prambanan Temple in Java, Indonesia

Built in the 9th century by Rakai Pikatan of the Mataram Kingdom, this temple is one of the biggest in Southeast Asia and the largest Hindu temple in Indonesia. The name ‘Prambanan’ comes from "Para Brahman", meaning "supreme brahmin" in Javanese. The temple honors Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. Out of the original 240 temples, many are now in ruins. The Shiva temple, located in the innermost part of the complex, is the biggest structure.

Keep reading Herzindagi for more such stories.