India is known for its temples – beautiful, serene places of worship – significant religious and historic landmarks. These ancient, intricately designed and faithfully maintained places of worship are a must-visit for devotees and for all those who nurture an interest in history and architecture. Here are some of the most famous temples in India.
- Golden Temple, Amritsar
Also known as Harmandir Sahib, this gorgeous temple is the holiest place of worship for the Sikh religion, and one of the most famous temples in North India. Built in the mid-15th century on the banks of a man-made lake in Amritsar, this temple’s golden facade and religious significance are a huge draw, and see devotees and tourists alike arrive at its doors throughout the year in significant numbers.
- Tirupathi Balaji, Tirumala
One of the oldest temples on this list, Jagannath Puri dates to the 12th century and is a temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Apart from being a spectacular architectural edifice and one of the char dhams of Hindu religion, it is also famous for the elaborate rath yatra it hosts every year.
- Maa Vaishno Devi Temple, Katra
Located in the foothills of the mighty Himalayas in Jammu and Kashmir, Vaishno Devi is one the most important temples in India. Lakhs of devotees undertake the pilgrimage to this temple every year to pay their respects to Goddess Vaishnavi, the patron deity of this temple. Reaching the temple requires a 12 km trek. Devotees have multiple options ranging from walking to riding a horse or even a helicopter among others to get to the top.
- Jagannath Temple, Puri
One of the oldest temples on this list, Jagannath Puri dates to the 12th century and is a temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Apart from being a spectacular architectural edifice and one of the char dhams of Hindu religion, it is also famous for the elaborate rath yatra it hosts every year.
- Meenakshi Temple, Madurai
The Meenakshi Temple took its current, grandiose form in the 12-13th century, but it has been a place of worship for much longer than that. Located in the heart of Madurai, this sprawling temple is dedicated to Goddess Meenakshi (an incarnation of Parvati). Its wide hallways are always packed with devotees, and the three-storey gopuram or entrance tower over its gate is exceptionally iconic.
- Ramnathswamy Temple, Rameshwaram
Located off the coast of India on the Pamban Island, this is another temple that is part of the holy char dham. The temple was built in its current form in the 12th century. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, this is one of the most famous temples in South India.
- Virupaksha Temple, Hampi
This famous temple can be found in the UNESCO World Heritage temple town of Hampi in Karnataka. The temple is dedicated to Lord Virupaksha, an avatar of Lord Shiva, and dates to the 7th century. One of its most significant elements is its nine-storey gopuram which is nearly 165 feet in height. Steeped in a legacy of tradition and surrounded by relics from ancient times, this temple is the jewel in one of India’s most significant historical crowns.
