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The world’s oldest Shivlings are believed to be housed in various temples across India, including the Gupteshwar Mahadev temple in Chhattisgarh, Arunachaleshwar temple in Tamil Nadu, and Jageshwar Dham in Uttarakhand
There are various beliefs surrounding the discovery of Shivlings. According to different stories, several temples claim to house the world’s oldest Shivling. (News18 Hindi)
Lord Shiva is one of the principal deities in Hinduism and is worshipped across India. According to mythology, several Shivlings are found across the country, known for their miraculous significance. But where is the world’s oldest Shivling, and how did it come into being?
There are various beliefs surrounding the discovery of Shivlings. According to different stories, several temples claim to house the world’s oldest Shivling.
Gupteshwar Mahadev Temple
The Shivling installed in the Gupteshwar Mahadev temple is widely considered the oldest in the world. Located in the Bastar district of Chhattisgarh, this temple is situated in a cave and is also mentioned in religious texts. It is believed that this Shivling is Swayambhu, meaning Lord Shiva himself established it.
The religious and historical significance of this temple is immense, with a large crowd of devotees gathering here every year, particularly during Mahashivratri. This Shivling, located in the cave, is believed to be miraculous, and many mythological stories surround its origin.
Arunachaleshwar Temple
The Arunachaleshwar Temple in Tiruvannamalai is also regarded as the place where the first Shivling appeared. According to legend, a dispute between Lord Brahma and Vishnu over superiority led to Lord Shiva appearing in the form of an eternal fire pillar (linga) to pacify them. Subsequently, Brahma and Vishnu worshipped the Shivling.
Jageshwar Dham
Jageshwar Dham, located in the Almora district of Uttarakhand, is also considered a place where the world’s first Shivling was established. There are about 250 temples here, with 224 of them being small and large temples located in a single area. It is believed that the Saptarishis established the Shivling here and worshipped it, marking the beginning of the tradition of Shivling worship.
108 Shivling Temple
Madhya Pradesh’s 108 Shivling temple is also known in this context. The ancient Shiva temple in Rahatgarh town, Sagar district, is believed to be around 900 years old. The unique feature of this temple is that 108 Shivlings are installed in a single Shivaling in the sanctum sanctorum. Devotees offer a pot of water, anointing all 108 Shivlings simultaneously. During the month of Savan, this temple is especially crowded with devotees who come to worship Lord Shiva.
