India is well known for its diversity in its festivals, cultures and for beautiful temples. Temples in India vary in size because you can find a small temple located in the roadside to large structures carved in rocks. Temples in India can be seen everywhere from the hilly areas of the Himalayas to the mountains of Ladakh. Let me list down top 10 temples in India,
Temples in India
1. Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai
One of the largest Hindu temples around the world, Meenakshi Amman Temple, Meenakshi Temple, also known as Minakshi-Sundareshwara Temple, is one of the ancient and most astonishing temples in India. Located on the southern bank of the Vaigai River in the temple city of Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India, Meenakshi Temple is a crowning glory of south India. The temple is famed for its great mythological and historical significance that dates back to the 1st century C.E. It is one of the main attractions of South India with thousands of devotees visiting it every day. During the ‘Tirukalyanam Festival,’ which takes place over a period of 10 days, the temple attracts more than a million devotees every day.
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Image Source: Wikimedia
2. Golden Temple, Amritsar
Located in the beautiful city of Amritsar, Golden Temple is a glittering charm of the city. The temple is also known as Sri Harimandir Sahib. it is not only a central religious place of the Sikhs, but it is a symbol of human brotherhood and equality with sublime peacefulness. The temple is the holiest shrine and a major pilgrimage destination for Sikhs. Due to its exquisite design and architecture, it also attracts tourists from all over the world.
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3. Sai Baba Temple, Shirdi
Sai Baba temple in Shirdi is one of the holiest places and also one of the richest temples in India., It is the most popular pilgrimage centre located in the town of Shirdi, Ahmednagar district of the Indian state of Maharastra. The temple is easily accessible from anywhere in India. It is open to all people irrespective of religions, castes and creeds. The main shrine is known as the Samadhi Temple. Here, the mortal body of Sai Baba is actually buried in the white marble of the temple. Besides the Samadhi, there is a marble image of Sai Baba in a sitting position that seems like the real Sai Baba sitting for their devotees.
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Image Source: Wikimedia
4. Ramanathaswamy Temple, Ramanathapuram
Ramanathaswamy Temple is located on Rameswaram island in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is a Hindu temple dedicated to the god Shiva. The temple houses the world’s most sacred sand mound, a lingam which is said to have been created by Rama’s wife Sita, so that he could worship Shiva. Also, the temple has the longest corridor among all Hindu temples in India with 1000-pillar halls and 22 theerthams (temple tanks), in which pilgrims bathe before visiting the deity.
Image Source: Wikimedia
5. Vaishno Devi Mandir, Jammu and Kashmir
Vaishno Devi Mandir is one of the most popular pilgrimage centres in India. Dedicated to the Hindu Goddess, Vaishno Devi, the temple is located in Katra at the Trikuta Mountains at an elevation of 5200 feet within the Holy Cave of Jammu and Kashmir, India. It is the most visited sacred place in India, that attracts millions of devotees not only from India but from all over the world. A pilgrimage to the Holy Shrine of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi is considered to be one of the holiest pilgrimages in India.
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Image Source: Wikimedia
6. Sun Temple, Konark
Konark Sun Temple, one of the most stunning temples in India, is a well known and major tourist attractions of Orissa, India. The temple is basically dedicated to Sun God or Lord Surya. This beautiful temple features intricate carvings and rich sculptures that makes this temple truly a sight to behold. The special feature of this temple is that the shrine is wholly erected in the form of a huge chariot. This chariot is placed on twelve pairs of beautifully carved wheels and enhanced by seven dynamic horses. At the entrance, there are two huge lions that appear as a guardian of the temple.
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7. Khajuraho Temple, Madhya Pradesh
The Khajuraho temple complex is a series of beautifully built and decorated structures located in the Indian state Madhya Pradesh. Designated as one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India, the temples are famous all over the world for their nagara-style architectural and erotic sculptures. The Khajuraho Temples also feature a variety of artwork, that includes some of the finest art in the world.
Image Source: Wikimedia
8. Lotus Temple, New Delhi
The Lotus Temple also is known as the Bahai House of Worship or Bahai Mashriqul-Adhkar Temple is one of the exquisite architectural building located in New Delhi. Built in the shape of a lotus flower, the temple is the last of seven Major Bahai’s temples. Dedicated in the year 1986, at the cost of $10 million, it is a prominent tourist attraction located in the Capital city, New Delhi, India. Like all Bahai Houses of Worship, the Lotus Temple is also open to all people, regardless of religion, caste, creed or any other qualification.
9. Kedarnath Temple, Uttarakhand
Kedarnath Temple located in the Garhwal Himalayan Ranges of Uttarakhand, India is one of the holiest Hindu temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is the most important temple among the Panch Kedars (a group of 5 Shiva temple places in Uttrakhand). It is famed for its ancient temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. Due to extreme weather conditions, the temple is open only between the end of April to November. Also, the temple is not directly accessible by road and has to be reached by an 18 kilometres uphill trek from Gaurikund.
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Image Source: Wikimedia
10. Kashi Vishwanath, Varanasi
Kashi Vishwanath Temple is one of the most famous Hindu temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. Created by the confluence of the holy river the Ganges. The temple is located in Varanasi, or Kashi, Uttar Pradesh, India. The temple stands on the western bank of the holy river Ganga and is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, the holiest of Shiva temples. Varanasi city is also called Kashi and one of the best tourist places in India, and hence the temple is popularly called Kashi Vishvanath Temple.
Image Source: Wikipedia
These are the most popular and beautiful temples in India. Do post your comments.
