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Hinduism is one the oldest religions in India. It exists from a period that remains unknown to the world. A major populace all across the globe is a follower of Hindusim. To mark this philosophy and pass it on to the next generation, the tranquil temples and shrines were constructed. All the beguiling splendors were devoted to a particular deity that is worshipped till date. Some temples also faced massive destruction due to unbearable consequences and today stand as a tourist attraction. On the other hand, there are temples that are recently constructed, which lure the tourists as well as devotees. Such shrines hold an importance for every Hindu and he should pay a visit to these places. Heres a list of famous temples in India.
Beckoned by the snow capped peaks, Badrinath Temple is an alluring shrine dedicated to Lord Vishnu. This magnificent temple stands close to the Alaknanada River & is one amid the sacred char dhams in Hinduism. The sanctum of Badrinath Temple gloats a breathtaking idol of Lord Vishnu. This shrine remains accessible to the pilgrims for 6 months between April-October & remains closed for other six months due to extreme climatic conditions.
Defining the skillful Kalinga style of architecture, Sun Temple in Konark is a well known temple. Carved out in the shape of a chariot pulled by 7 horses, it is dedicated to the Sun God and is a frequented heritage site. Presently, no prayers are offered in the temple premises but the grandeur draws a large number of tourists every year.
Brihadeeswara Temple is an 11th century marvel located in Thanjavur. Erected by the Chalukyan King Rajraja Chola 1, this is the largest shrine in the country dedicated to Lord Shiva. The exteriors and interiors of this alluring temple are perfectly carved with sculptures. The most riveting fact about the architecture of Brihadeeswara Temple is that it doesnt form any shadow during the noon time.
Somnath is a famous Hindu shrine located in Gujarat. Facing the Arabian Sea, it is dedicated to Lord Shiva & is one amid the 12 pristine jyotirlingas. Somnath Temple is a beautifully carved grandeur and is flocked by hundreds of devotees especially on the occasions like Maha-Shivaratri. The vast expanse of Somnath shrine gloats a museum and Junagadh gate. The structure of this temple was re-built many times.
Shrouded amid the snowy environment, Kedarnath is a sacred Hindu shrine in Dev Bhoomi Uttarakhand. Kedarnath Temple is said to be built by the Pandavas & is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Every year hundreds of devotees visit Kedarnath Temple during the summer months. The shrine remains inaccessible due to harsh weather conditions. During that period, the sanctum of Kedarnath is shifted to Ukimath to continue the worship.
Located in the village named Sanchi in Madhya Pradesh, Sanchi Stupa is a Buddhist pilgrimage site. Constructed in the Mauryan style by the Mauryan King Ashoka, Sanchi Stupa is entirely made up of stone. This serene place holds the relics of Buddha and is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The interior walls of Sanchi Stupa are intricately carved with the holy verses preached by Buddha.
Ramanathaswamy temple is a magnificent example of Dravidian architecture. Located in Tamil Nadu, it is one of the 4 dhams in Hinduism. It is devoted to Lord Shiva where hes worshipped in the form of a Shivalinga. The mythologies acclaim that Goddess Sita built a Shivalinga from sand when Lord Rama wanted to seek atonement for killing a Brahmin demon Ravana. Presently, hundreds of devotees visit Rameshwaram to offer their prayers to Lord Shiva.
Jai kara Shera Wali Da and the rest everybody knows extremely well. An environment filled with these continuous chanting, Vaishno Devi is a well known Hindu shrine in the lofty valleys of Katra. Vaishno Devi Mandir is the abode of Adishakti inside a cave. The sanctum consists of pindies that represent the Goddess. Every year, thousands of devotees visit Vaishno Devi shrine to seek the blessings from the divine.
Siddhivinayak Temple is a popular temple in the city of dreams Mumbai. A beautifully carved grandeur, this shrine was erected in the 18th century & has Lord Ganesha as the presiding deity. Before the commencement of any new project or assignment, the devotees in a large number visit Siddhivinayak Temple. Ganesh Chaturthi festival is celebrated with a zest and this temple is ornamented beautifully and attracts more visitors.
Golden Temple does not require an introduction. Also known as Harmandir Sahib, Golden Temple is the most reverent shrine for the followers of Sikhism. It is located in the city of Amritsar and gloats the Akal Takht or the supreme seat of timeless one in Sikhism. The interior and exterior walls of the Golden Temple are carved in a labyrinthine manner. This Gurudwara ladles out the largest communal kitchen service that feeds 1 lakh devotees in a day.
Made up entirely of white granite, Gangotri Temple is a tranquil shrine located in Uttarkashi. The Gangotri Temple is devoted to the holy river Ganges and is the pious place for followers of Hinduism. The legends acclaim that this is the exact place where Lord Shiva entwined Ganga in his locks. This shrine opens on the occasion of Akshay Tritiya & the idol of Goddess Ganga is brought back from Mukhyamath Temple.
Talk about the holy city of Kashi & the first word that comes to the mind is the enormous Kashi Vishwanath Temple. The beautifully carved grandeur, Kashi Vishwanath Temple is a pious shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is the USP of Kashi that draws the tourists as well as devotees from different corners of the country. This temple is ornamented beautifully on the occasion of Maha-Shivaratri.
Jagannath Temple is a beguiling Hindu shrine located in Puri district of Odisha. It is one of the 4 dhams and was built in the 12th century. The presiding deity in Jagannath Temple is Lord Krishna who is worshipped along with Balbhadra & Subhadra, his siblings. What makes this temple unique is that only the Hindus are allowed to enter the holy premises whereas Non-Hindus, especially foreigners, arent permitted to step inside the shrine of Jagannath.
Yamunotri Temple is an intricate 19th century shrine located in Uttarkashi. Hemmed in the pristine hills, Yamunotri Temple is dedicated to Yamuna, the second holiest river in Hinduism. The magnificent sanctum of the shrine boasts a life size idol of Goddess Yamuna carved out of black marble. This temple can be accessed by covering a short trek and is decorated on the occasion of Nirjala Ekadashi.
Boasting the serpentine carvings on the exterior walls, Meenakshi Temple is a marvelous grandeur located in Tamil Nadu. Depicting the skillful Tamil style of architecture, this temple is devoted to Goddess Parvati and gloats the beauty that cannot be described by words. The vivacious hall of Meenakshi temple consists of 985 pillars and each pillar is carved in a labyrinthine manner. Every-day, hundreds of visitors visit this alluring temple for offering prayers to the divine power.
The holy cave of Amarnath is a pristine pilgrimage destination for the followers of Hindus. Shrouded amid the glacial peaks, Amarnath Cave is the holy place where a 16 foot Shivalinga appears itself during the winter months & vanishes with the onset of summers. This pious Shivalinga is known as Baba Barfaani. It is not easy to reach the divine place easily. One has to cross the jagged hilly terrains to reach and seek the blessing of Lord Amarnath.
Lingaraja Temple is a beguiling & the oldest temple in Odisha. This Kalinga architecture was erected 11th century. The vast expanse of the shrine is awe-inspiring and the presiding deity here is Harihara, a fusion of Lord Shiva & Vishnu. Everyday this temple is visited by hundreds of devotees. Only the Hindus are allowed to enter the temple premises whereas the Non-Hindus can admire the structural beauty from outside.
Tirupati Balaji is a religious Hindu shrine in the state of Andhra Pradesh. Encircled by the mesmerizing hills, the structure of this temple is unbeatable. Tirupati Balaji is also known by the name of Venkateshwara Temple and is dedicated to Lord Balaji, a manifestation of Lord Vishnu. This temple known amid the richest temples in India as the devotees that visit here make precious offerings made up of precious stones & metals.
The Kanchipuram Temples are an architectural masterpiece situated in Tamil Nadu. The group of Kanchipuram Temples comprises of 3 major beautifully carved temples. Kamakshi Amman Temple, Ekambareswara Temple & Vardaraja Perumal Temple are the shrines that have labyrinthine carvings on the exterior and interior walls. The temples of Kanchipuram are visited by a large number of devotees daily.
Khajuraho Temple is a group of temples located in the heart of the country Madhya Pradesh. Constructed in late 10th century, the Khajuraho Temples are known for boasting the erotica carvings. In the foregone time, it comprised more than 70 temples but at present only 20 exist. Though the practice of worshipping is not applicable, the temples still lure the tourists on a vast scale.
A present day UNESCO World Heritage Site, Virupaksha Temple is a grandeur that was constructed in the 7th century. Located in the village of Hampi, it is a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva & the practice of worshipping in active till date. The premises of Virupaksha Temple are hemmed by the tranquil hills & major festivals, especially Maha-Shivaratri, are celebrated with a zest.
Akshardham Temple is a magnificent temple-cum-tourist destination located near the River Yamuna in Delhi. The shrine is dedicated to Lord Swaminarayan & houses an eleven feet high statue under the central dome. The whole structure has beguiling carvings and gloats alluring idols of the Hindu religious figurines. No worshipping is allowed in the temple. The expanse also houses a food court where the people can munch the snacks at reasonable rates.
A principal shrine for the followers of Jainism, Shri Digambar Jain Lal Mandir is a beautiful and oldest existing Jain temple in Delhi. This temple was constructed under the reign of Mughal ruler Shah Jahan in the 16th century & is devoted to Shri Parshavanath, the 23rd Jain Tirthankara. This temple is located parallel to Red Fort and also houses a bird hospital.
An important pilgrimage shrine for the Jains, Gomateshwara Temple is located in Karnataka.Gomateshwara Temple is devoted to Lord Bahubali and was constructed in the 10th century. It gloats a huge monolithic idol of Lord Bahubali carved out of granite. The pristine event of mahamastakabhishek takes place once in every 12 years where the huge idol is bathed with a mixture of water, turmeric, sugarcane, yogurt, milk & vermillion.
Ranakpur Temple is a Jain pilgrimage site located in Pali district of Rajasthan. This unbeatable architectural marvel, housing 1400 intricately carved pillars, was constructed in the 15th century and is dedicated to Lord Adinath. The temple was rebuilt in the previous times due to destruction and draws a large number of tourists and devotees from all the directions of the country.
The description you read above about the alluring temples is 100% authentic. There exist the temples that were erected in the foregone times and are an active place for worshipping the almighty till date. The aura of these religious sites is divine and provides mental peace. Whether it is located amid the misty hills, snowy mountains or near the shorelines, the pilgrims flock to these shrines on a large scale. One should visit the temples to attain the divine calmness.
