Can a temple disappear every day under the ocean? Can a pillar of a temple stand without touching the ground? Can a lightning strike every 12 years and destroy the Shiva lingam?
India is home to many ancient Shiva temples where extraordinary events continue to leave devotees and even science in awe.
Let's explore three mysteries of the temple of Lord Shiva, which are famous for their divine miracles and unexplained mysteries.
Three Sacred Mysterious Lord Shiva Temples
1. Stambheshwar Mahadev Temple (Kavi Kamboi, Gujarat)
Stambheshwar Mahadev Temple, also known as the Gayab Mandir or the lost temple, is popularly famous for disappearing twice a day. The temple is associated with Lord Karthikeya. According to mythology, an asura(demon) named Tarakasura did severe tapasya and received a boon from Lord Shiva that he could be killed only by Lord Shiva's son. Lord Shiva blessed him, after which he started a war against the gods. When Kartikeya, the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, was born, the gods turned to him for help. Kartikeya went to war against him and killed Tarakasura.
After the war, Kartikeya was not able to find peace as he believed that he had killed a great devotee of his father. To overcome this guilt, Lord Shiva asked Kartikeya to build a temple on the shore of an ocean, so that it could wash away his pain every day.
Taking his father’s advice, Kartikeya placed a Shiva linga on the shore of Gujarat. Since that day, when the tide rises, the temple goes underwater, gets fully submerged and when the tide retreats, slowly emerges again, revealing the sacred lingam.
People believe the ocean itself does Lord Shiva's abhishekam, rising to touch his feet and then stepping back in devotion.
Stambheshwar Mahadev Temple, also known as the Gayab Mandir or the lost temple, is popularly famous for disappearing twice a day (Image: Facebook/shristambheshwarmahadev)
2. Bijli Mahadev Temple (Kull, Himachal)
This temple dedicated to Lord Shiva is famous for the event that happens once every 12 years. It is said that the Shiva lingam inside the temple gets struck by lightning and breaks the lingam into fragments once every 12 years. The priest then, using butter and sattu paste, rejoins the lingam. Locals believe that this is the divine act of Lord Indra, who strikes the temple under the orders of Lord Shiva.
According to legends, there was a demon named Kulanta who disguised himself as the giant serpent. He once attempted to block the Beas River to flood the valley. Lord Shiva then intervened and fought with the demon and killed him. To protect the people from the demon's remaining evil energy, Lord Shiva asked Lord Indra to strike the hilltop of the valley with lightning once every 12 years.
The Shiva lingam inside the temple gets struck by lightning and breaks the lingam into fragments (Image: bluecherries)
3. Veerabhadra (Lepakshi) Temple, Andhra Pradesh
Dedicated to Lord Shiva, this temple is famous for its hanging pillar that doesn't touch the ground. The Hanging pillar is inside a grand hall, which is supported by 70 other pillars. You can even pass a cloth through its space. According to legends, this temple was dedicated to Lord Virbhadra, the fierce form of Lord Shiva and was built by two brothers, Viranna and Virupanna.
The temple is also believed to be connected to the Ramayana. It is said that while searching for Goddess Sita, Lord Rama encountered Jatayu, who, after fighting with Demon Ravana, got badly injured. Jatayu informed Lord Rama about the whereabouts of Goddess Sita. Lord Rama then blessed him and uttered the words ‘le pakshi’, meaning ‘rise, o bird’. It is believed that by Lord Rama’s divine blessings, Jatayu got magically healed and rose once again.
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Dedicated to Lord Shiva, this temple is famous for its hanging pillar that doesn't touch the ground (Image: lepakshitemple)
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These are the three most famous temples dedicated to Lord Shiva, each known for its unique legends, unexplained mysteries and deep spiritual significance.