India is home to some of the most beautiful, diverse, famous temples in the world. The land of mystics and legends, India offers a spiritual journey to those who search for the divine, magical and devout backstreets of the country. A land of various religions, dialects, beliefs, and ethnicities, India is a fascinating place for those looking to study and understand its soul. For epochs, temples have been essential to the Indian society and they have massive influence. These famous Indian temples not only catered to the spiritual needs of man but also contributed largely to the ethnic and architectural legacy of the country.
Introduction
Unmatched in their inventive splendour these famous Indian templeshave endured as gorgeous works of art and engineering, giving birth to diverse architectural styles that have progressed over centuries. From the Swami Ayyappa Temple in Sabarimala to Chaar Dhaam, to the Sun temple if India, temples offer an enigmatic comfort and serenity to every troubled soul. Thousands from all over the globe, flock to these holy places in India; some with prayers in their hearts, gratitude on their lips and some with tears in their eyes.
Frequently a hot topic for scholars when it comes to construction techniques and loftiness attained in the olden times as compared to the high-tech improvement accomplished in building monuments today. Some of the famous Indian temples are architectural marvels, which stump historians even today.
There are scores of temples dotting India and visiting some of them is a must. We at Skyscanner decided to create a list of famous temples in India for you.
Famous Temples in India
- Badrinath
- Konark Sun Temple
- Kedarnath
- Tirumala Venkateswara (Tirupati)
- Vaishno Devi
- Har Ki Pauri
- Somnath
- Meenakshi Amman Temple
- Sanchi Stupa
- Brihadeeswara Temple
Devotees Pick – Famous Temples in India
1. Badrinath
Known as Badri Narayan, this temple is devoted to Lord Vishnu, predominantly his twin forms of Nar and Narayan. In the 9th-century Adi Shankara found an idol of Lord Vishnu, made from the Salagrama stone in the river. The idol was first treasured near the Tapt Kund hot springs but later shifted to the Badrinath temple.
One of the most important ancient temples, it is situated on the banks of the river Alaknanda at a height of 10,170 ft in Garhwal, Uttarakhand. The Garhwal kings expanded the temple in the 17th -century. Lord Vishnu’s statue is in a contemplative posture edged by Nar and Narayan. Badrinath is a significant pilgrimage center among the Char Dhams.
airport: Dehradun(DED)
2. Konark Sun Temple
On the coast of the Bay of Bengal, suffused in the rays of the rising sun, the Konark Sun Temple is one of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites. A stunning vision created in stones, the Konark Sun temple in Odisha, is a spectacular creation of man. A 13th-century edifice, this Temple marks the zenith of Odisha’s temple architecture. Situated 65 km from Bhubaneswar, the Konark temple is devoted to the God of Sun.
It is said to be the place where the first sunray falls in India. This temple is built like a large chariot that has 24 wheels and a 6-horse team, sculpted with symbolic designs. Narasimhadeva I of the Eastern Ganga Dynasty built this temple in 1250 AD. Though it is in ruins the Konark Sun Temple is glorious even today.
airport:Bhubaneshwar
3. Kedarnath
High amidst snowcapped mountains, is the ancient Kedarnath Temple in Uttarakhand. Situated at the highest elevation, Kedarnath is devoted to the protector and destroyer Lord Shiva. This extremely old temple has been frequently rebuilt over the years, and yet it offers an enchanting sight to its devotees every time.
Located on the Himalayan range, this famous Indian temple is unreachable by road, so tourists must make an 18 km trek uphill. The best time to visit is from April to November.airport: Dehradun(DED)
4. Tirupati
Called the Tirupati Balaji temple, this temple is one of the most visited temples in the world and India. It was considered the richest temple in the world until a treasure was found at the Shree Padmanabhaswamy temple in Kerala. People from all walks of life travel to Tirupati to here to wish for wealth, health, conceiving a child, or get married while others donate their time, resources for the temple. The temple receives around 50,000 visitors daily and around 40 million visitors a year.
5. Vaishnav DeviDevoted to Goddess Vaishnav Devi, this temple in Katra is the second most visited temple in India and visited by 8 million followers every year. 5200-ft above land, the temple is significant, and most Hindus try to visit this temple at least once in their life. If you are planning a visit, then make sure you have the Yatra Registration Card (YRC) or Parchi available at the Katra bus station for free. If you buy it online, then you pay Rs. 50 per person for the parchi. Remember, private parties cannot issue the YRC.
airport: srinagar
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