Temples in India are often regarded as examples of the finest architectural work ever produced in India. Temples were lavishly decorated because they formerly served as hubs of intercultural interaction, drawing people from all occupations.
Unfortunately, most of it has been destroyed by the passage of time and the many invaders India has fought off throughout the centuries. Temples in India are beautiful even when they are in disrepair. Hence, we present 15 of India’s most stunning religious buildings to you.
Here are 15 of the most beautiful temples in India:
1. Badrinath Temple, Uttarakhand
Badrinath, a revered pilgrimage site, may be found in the Chamoli district of the Indian state of Uttarakhand, not far from the Alaknanda River. This Vishnu temple is considered one of Hinduism’s four most sacred places. In addition, it is one of the four holy places that make up the Chota Char Dham (minor pilgrimage sites).
The writings of Tamil saints from the sixth to ninth centuries attest to the temple’s status as one of the 108 Vishnu temples (Divya Desams). The ancient Vishnu temple is open to the public from April through November only since it is closed for the rest of the year due to extreme weather. Read Also: Famous Attractions to See in Badrinath.
2. Kedarnath Temple
With its proximity to beautiful natural scenery, the Kedarnath temple attracts spiritually-minded visitors and a large number of non-religious sightseers. In winter, the Himalayas’ glaciers provide a breathtaking background for the temple. Because of this, it is closed for half the year. The Mahabharata’s Pandavas are given credit for building the temple to Shiva.
Getting there require more than 14 kilometers of walking for pilgrims. Most visitors take a bus from Rishikesh to Gaurikund and then walk the rest of the way to Kedarnath. Trains go from several Indian towns to Rishikesh, so getting there isn’t much of a hassle. You can also read Kedarnath Temple Facts.
3. Golden Temple, Punjab
Located in Amritsar, Punjab, the Harmandir Sahib is a gurdwara, or Sikh place of worship, often known as the Golden Temple due to its fame. A physical and symbolic golden temple, its name comes from the gilding of its dome and walls.
People of any background or ethnicity can pursue religious or spiritual happiness. To the Sikhs, it is a symbol of their unique history and culture. It is an enormous undertaking to put Sri Harmandir Sahib’s guiding principles, ideology, inner and exterior beauty, and historical heritage on paper. It’s more of a question of experiencing it than describing it. Read More: Travel guide for Golden Temple, Amritsar: What to do, When to visit, how to get there.
4. Khajuraho Temple
Located in Chhatarpur, Madhya Pradesh, are the Khajuraho Temples. Known for displaying sensual sculptures and architectural symbolism in the nagara style, they were constructed by the Chandela Dynasty between 885 and 1050 AD.
About 25 of the original 85 Khajuraho Temples are still standing today. There are Hindu and Jain temples among the buildings, suggesting religious tolerance at the period. Explore more: A glance at Khajuraho Temple, Madhya Pradesh’s top ten facts.
5. Jagannath Temple
Building on the original building of the temple continued until the early 16th century. The sculptures on the temples mostly depict gods and goddesses, setting them apart from other nearby temples. A concentric wall surrounds the temple complex (Wall) and an outer wall surrounds the inner wall (Kuruma Bheda).
Apart from the Eastern front’s Singhadwara, the temple has three other entrances in the four cardinal directions. Nevertheless, the fact that they are not structurally aligned suggests that the other gates were probably built for security reasons, given that the temple was in the center of turmoil between the 16th and 18th centuries. Check out: Here are some interesting facts and information about the Jagannath Temple, Puri
6. Sanchi Stupa, Madhya Pradesh
Buddhist Stupas, hemispherical constructions often housing relics of the Buddha or his disciples, have become almost associated with Sanchi. Built by Emperor Ashoka’s decree, the Sanchi Stupas are dedicated to maintaining and disseminating Buddhist thought.
These holy and magnificent structures from the Mauryan era have been preserved thanks to Sanchi’s care, just as old Mauryan history and art have been preserved because of Sanchi’s care. Across the world, people have been fascinated and amazed by the many stupas, temples, monasteries, and Ashokan pillars. The Mahastupa is recognized as a “World Heritage Site” by UNESCO. Get more information about Sanchi Stupa, Bhopal – History, Tickets, Timings, Nearby Attractions
7. Shirdi Sai Baba Temple
Sai Baba of Shirdi was a religious figure who inspired a devoted following among Hindus and Muslims. It is generally accepted that Sai Baba passed away in 1918. Many people believe he is a manifestation of Sri Dattaguru because of the miracles he has performed.
A consensus exists that Sai Baba eventually made his way to Shirdi, where he remained till the end of his life, although no one knows where he was born. Because the town of Shirdi’s shrine honors the saint, it is now a famous destination for religious tourists.
Shirdi Package: 2 Nights 3 Days Shirdi With Shani Shingnapur Temple Tour Itinerary
8. Vaishno Devi Temple, Jammu, and Kashmir
Vaishno Devi Temple, located on Trikuta Mountain in Jammu and Kashmir, is among Hinduism’s holiest locations. According to the myth, when Vaishno Devi was younger, she pretended to be a girl named Vaishnavi to evade a dark sorcerer named Bhairo Nath. He persisted in asking her hand in marriage till she finally gave in.
She attempted to get away by going to the mountains, but he also followed her there. The Goddess made her way to the sacred site through modern-day Banganga, Charan Paduka, and Adkwari. Vaishnavi felt obligated to end Bhairo Nath’s life after he showed no signs of backing down. Get to know Vaishno Devi Temple: Best Time To Visit, Temperature, Snowfall.
9. Gangotri Temple, Uttarakhand
The Gangotri temple said to have been constructed in the 18th century, is where Ganga is said to have first flowed. Gangotri is a shrine in the Uttarkashi region, and it is there where devotees believe Lord Shiva received the river Ganga in his hair.
The temple, constructed entirely of white granite, is one of India’s holiest sites. The idol is maintained at the Mukkyamath temple most of the year, and the Gangotri temple is only open once a year, in April or May, when it is moved there.
Gangotri Package: 4 Nights 5 Days Gangotri Trip Itinerary from Delhi
10. Konark Temple
The inside of the Konark Temple lives up to its reputation as a majestic and spectacular structure. The Shikhara (crown), Jagmohana (audience hall), Natmandir (dance hall), and Vimana (a tower) are all here, as are many other marks of Kalinga architecture (tower).
There is a legend that Surya drove through the sky in a chariot drawn by seven horses. The Konark platform is inscribed with a chariot’s 24 wheels. There is a lot of meaning behind the numbers 7 and 24. Read More: What You Need To Know About Konark Sun Temple
11. Yamunotri Temple, Uttarakhand
The Yamunotri temple, located in the Uttarkashi region of Uttarakhand, was originally constructed in the nineteenth century and has since been destroyed and rebuilt twice due to natural calamities. The temple comprises four of the Chota Char Dham Yatra and is dedicated to the Yamuna River, the second holiest in India.
Black marble represents the Goddess at the Mother Yamuna temple, at an elevation of 3291 meters. The temple welcomes visitors on Akshaya Tritiya and shuts on the day following Diwali. Every winter, the Mother Yamuna statue is taken to the adjacent hamlet of Kharsali. No roads are suitable for motorized vehicles near the Yamunotri temple; visitors must get there on foot instead.
Yamunotri Package: 4 Nights 5 Days Yamunotri Trip Itinerary from Delhi
12. Ramanathaswamy Temple, Tamil Nadu
Located at Rameshwaram, a tiny island off the coast of Tamil Nadu, lies the Ramanathaswamy temple, one of the four sacred temples known as the Char Dham. It is considered holy since it was the first place Lord Rama and Sita visited after freeing Sita from Ravana’s abduction.
A person’s spiritual faith sustains them through life’s ups and downs. And this is not just any temple in Tamilnadu; it is one of the four most sacred Hindu pilgrimage destinations, known as the Char Dhams. Pilgrims go to Rameshwaram and other Indian temples like Badrinath, Puri, and Dwarka for enlightenment.
13. Kailasnath Temple, Maharashtra
Ellora, home to one of India’s most impressive Shiva temples, the Kailasnath Temple, is a must-see for everyone in the Aurangabad area. The Rashtrakuta Dynasty, who controlled India from the sixth through the tenth centuries AD, was responsible for the stunning construction of this temple.
A total of 34 temples can be found in Ellora, and this one is one of them. In addition to a megalith hewn from a cliff face, this temple is the biggest of its kind in the nation. Several subsequent temples in India take design cues from it.
14. Lord Ayyappa Temple, Kerala
Along the Western Ghats in Kerala is Lord Ayyapan Temple. The Hill Shrine of Lord Ayappa, the offspring of Shiva and Mohini, may be found on the same site as the Temple. The Periyar Tiger Reserve in Kerala has this sacred shrine. The 18 hills and lush trees surrounding the Temple make it a beautiful destination.
Visitors visiting this Temple must observe certain rituals, including using blue or black clothing, shaving cessation, and consuming non-vegetarian cuisine. During the first few days of the Malayalam calendar, the Temple is accessible to the public.
15. Lingaraja Temple, Bhubaneshwar, Odisha
As the biggest temple in Bhubaneshwar, Hindu worshippers hold Lingaraja Temple in the highest regard. Its 54-meter-long Mandir is devoted to the Hindu god Shiva. When Jaipur’s monarch, Jajati Keshari, relocated his kingdom to Bhuvneshwar between 1090 and 1104 C.E., it is believed that this peculiar Indian temple was built.
The temples, or at least some of its subsidiary shrines, were likely erected in the sixth century, but they were not officially acknowledged until the eleventh. The lake Bindu Sagar is located north of the temple and is the site of many Shivratri celebrations.
Conclusion
A journey to any of these temples and visits to other surrounding attractions might turn into the ideal getaway for the entire family.
India’s other famous temples are listed below:
