Top 10 Famous Temples in India – “INDIA”, How can one even begin to define this fascinating nation?
It is where every corner gives shelter to the culture of its own, where the air you breathe brings along the aroma of soil and nature, where even the gods found their heavenly abode. Every turn awaits you with a new language, new landscape and a unique bustle.
We, Indians, drive courage and positivity from divine powers. We seek comfort and learn from the deities enlightening preaching. The cosmic abode of our supreme being on Earth is called “Mandir”
India boasts some intricately carved and brilliantly designed shrines. While gazing and admiring their exceptional architecture, it comes as no shock that people from all over the world visit them.
Here are the Top 10 Famous Temples in India that you must visit in your Lifetime:
1). BADRINATH
Sitting pretty in the surreal beauty of the Uttarakhand area in the Himalayas, it is where the divinity meets the serenity. The famed temple is one of the Char Dham pilgrimage sites of India, which glorifies Lord Vishnu. Its traditional Garhwali wooden architecture smitten the visitors with its charm.
The temple is at a whopping 10,248 feet above sea level, so the best season to visit is in the summer months when the weather is more tolerable.
So plan accordingly.
2). RAMESHWARAM
This piece of art is on the Pamban island in Tamil Nadu, better regarded as the Ramanathaswamy temple. The lord of the lords, Shiva, is worshiped here. Its Dravidian architecture will make you skip a heartbeat. The temple boasts of striking long corridors stretching as long as 3850 feet and as high as 5 feet. Each piece of marble and brick used exemplifies the advanced architectural designs of Tamil Kings.
Do not forget to visit this beauty on your next trip to Rameshwaram.
3). JAGANNATH
This sacred abode of Lord Jagannath was built in the 12th century AD by the king of the Ganga Dynasty, Ananta Varman Chodaganga Deva. It is at the seashore of Puri. The story and mysticism of Lord Jagannath overshadow the architectural brilliance of this temple. Which is why it is said to be one of the most popular temples in India.
The shrine is mystical as no shadow of the temple falls on the ground at any time of the day.
Curious, right!! Go, visit and see it for yourself.
4). DWARKADHISH
Dedicated to the god of compassion and love, Lord Krishna, Dwarakadish is in the town of Dwarka on the Arabian Sea. This 5-stories construction takes inspiration from Chalukya architecture. It is famous by the name of Jagat Mandir in the vicinity and beyond. The temple is more than 2200 years old.
Intriguing, Isn’t it?
5). SRI VIRUPAKSHA
Sri Virupkasha, an epitome of magnificent architecture, is positioned at the western end of Hampi Bazaar in Hampi, Karnataka. It proudly stands tall amidst all the ruins that surround it. The yearly chariot festival at this temple attracts millions from all over the world. Interestingly, the walls of this temple have several inscriptions about Lord Shiva, which are said to be inscribed in the 9th century.
How exciting would it be to read those inscriptions in real life, right!
6). BRAHMAJI TEMPLE
Devoted to the Lord of Creation, Brahma, the temple is situated in Pushkar, Rajasthan. Factually speaking, it is the only Lord Brahma’s temple in our country. It is one of the many reasons why millions of pilgrims visit it every year. Every day three types of prayers are performed here.
- Sandhyaarati: performed after sunset
- Ratri Shayanarati: Performed 5 hours after sunrise
- Mangalaarati: performed in the morning 2 hours before sunrise
Unfortunately, married men are not allowed to enter the sanctum sanctorum.
Do not forget to ask the locals the interesting story behind it being the only Brahma temple in India.
7). KEDARNATH
Sitting peacefully in the lap of majestic mountain peaks of Uttrakhand, Kedarnath is famous among all Indians. It is one of the prominent 12 jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva. The architecture is entirely in the middle of gigantic and breathtaking mountains covered with snow. Its natural beauty and religious zest encourage pilgrims to visit it year after year.
Ironically the deadly disaster of 2013 washed away everything in its way but the temple.
Hail Lord Shiva.
8). KASHI VISHWANATH
Also called as Golden temple, the Kashi Vishwanath temple of Varanasi idolizes Lord Shiva with all devotion and faith. It was built and established in 1780 by the Maratha Monarch, Maharani Ahilya Holkar of Indore.
Varanasi confronts the reality and ritual of death every day. Kashi Vishwanath is trusted to be a way to achieve Moksha, the ultimate liberation from being reborn through the laws of karma.
9). LINGARAJ
It is the oldest temple in Bhubneshwar, Odisha. Lingraja is denoted as “Swayambhu” which in English means self-originated Shivling. The architecture of this sacred place is a visual treat for all the pilgrims and tourists. It is the epitome of syncretisation of Shaivism and Vaishnavism sections in Odisha.
It may sound a little disheartening, but the temple is out of bounds for all the non-Hindus.
10). AMARNATH CAVE TEMPLE
Being one of the Most Popular Temples in India, this shrine is 5000 years old and is in the snowy Himalayas of Pahalgam, Jammu. Every year a phallus shaped formation is naturally formed by the ice, which the pilgrims honour as a Shiva Lingam, the holiest symbol of Hindus across the globe. The pilgrimage tour universally known as Amarnath yatra begins from June till August. Besides the blessings of Lord Shiva, the surrounding view is extraordinary and will leave you astonished at every turn.
Despite being one of the arduous treks, the devotion of devotees for Shiva gives them the strength to complete the lethal trek without any hesitation.
So, these were the Top 10 famous temples in India to explore. Our blind faith in divinity comes as no shock as our country has temples at every corner. Each has a story of its own which teaches humanity about the path of enlightenment. The aesthetic of each shrine attracts people from all over the world and mesmerizes them to beyond. A visit to each one of them will give you an intense feeling of tranquility and spiritual upliftment. Let all your guards down and allow positivism take over your mind, body and soul.
