Shiva cult
WHS that include major shrines for the cult of Shiva (Shaivism), one of the major Hindu traditions.
Connected Sites
| Site | Rationale | Link |
| Chola Temples | "The Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple is smaller yet more refined than the Thanjavur Temple. Both are among the largest Shiva temples in South India" (wiki) | |
| Elephanta Caves | "Criteria (i): The fifteen large reliefs surrounding the lingam chapel in the main Elephanta Cave not only constitute one of the greatest examples of Indian art but also one of the most important collections for the cult of Shiva." (OUV) | |
| Kathmandu Valley | Pashupatinath Temple, "one of the most sacred Shiva Kshetras (abodes of Shiva) in Skanda Purana... dedicated to Pashupati, a form of Shiva." | |
| Khajuraho Group of Monuments | "Of the surviving temples, six are dedicated to Shiva" (wiki), including the largest temple of the complex, the Kandariya Mahadeva Temple | |
| Mahabalipuram | Criterion (vi): The sanctuary is one of the major centres of the cult of Siva. (OUV) | |
| My Son | "The temples are dedicated to the veneration of God in accordance with Shaivism, wherein God is named Shiva, or The Auspicious One. In this particular complex, he is venerated under various local names, the most important of which is Bhadreshvara." (wiki) | |
| Pattadakal | "Pattadakal possesses a sort of holy city comprised of an impressive series of eight Hindu temples dedicated to Siva. Somewhat off to the side, towards the village, is the ninth Sivaite sanctuary, the Temple of Papanatha," (AB ev) | |
| Prambanan | "Built in the 10th century, this is the largest temple compound dedicated to Shiva in Indonesia" (UNESCO description) | |
| Preah Vihear Temple | "Both then and in the following centuries, it was dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva in his manifestations as the mountain gods Sikharesvara and Bhadresvara." (wiki) | |
| Rudreshwara (Ramappa) Temple | "the Rudreshwara (Ramappa) Temple is a living Brahminical Shiva Temple, following all the authentic Shaiva-Agama rituals" (OUV authenticity statement) | |
| Vat Phou | "It is focused on, to the west, the natural features of Phou Kao Mountain and, on the east, the Mekong River, used to represent respectively the sacred mountain dwelling of the god Shiva and the Ganges River or the Universal Ocean." (AB ev) "The elements lead to a shrine where a lingam dedicated to Lord Shiva was bathed in water from a mountain spring." |
Suggestions?
Do you know of another WHS we could connect to Shiva cult?
A connection should:
- Not be "self evident"
- Link at least 3 different sites
- Not duplicate or merely subdivide the "Category" assignment already identified on this site.
- Add some knowledge or insight (whether significant or trivial!) about WHS for the users of this site
- Be explained, with reference to a source