4. Kailasnath Temple, Maharashtra

One of the finest Shiva temples in India, Kailasnath Temple is situated in Ellora and is also a great place to visit near Aurangabad. The temple is a brilliant example of Rashtrakuta architecture of the Rashtrakuta Dynasty that ruled India between the 6th and 10th century AD. This temple is also a part of the 34 temples that are present in Ellora. It is the largest rock-cut temple in this country and also has a megalith carved from a rock cliff.

5. Somnath Temple, Gujarat

Located in Gujarat, Somnath Temple is one among the most famous temples of India. It is also considered to be the first Jyotirling temple built in the country and is an important Shiva temple in India. Owing to the incessant invasions by different Muslim rulers, the temple was destroyed, robbed and reconstructed several times, the last one being in the Chalukya-style architecture, completed in 1951. A noteworthy structure in this temple is the Banasthamba or the arrow pillar that is erected on one of the temple walls.

6. BrihadeswaraTemple, Tamil Nadu

A true architectural marvel of the Dravidian era, the Brihadeeshwara Temple situated on the banks of the river Kaveri in Tanjore, Tamil Nadu, is a spectacle to behold. This is one of the exemplary Shiva temples in India and was constructed between 1001 AD and 1010 AD by the popular king Raja Raja Chola. The temple is declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the enormous vimana tower built above the sanctum with granite is the tallest in entire South India. The temple is also famous for housing one of the largest Shiv Lingas and Nandi in India and also has a huge prakhara (corridor). Amongst all the temples and monuments created by the Chola Dynasty, this temple tops the charts for impeccable architecture and design.