In India, there are many beautiful temples with stories, mysteries, and people who really believe in them. Moreover, it’s like magic or really strong feelings. You can also see how much people believe, and you might even see a light of love and belief that never goes out in their hearts.
In this article, we will be highlighting all the famous temples in India that you absolutely must visit at least once in your lifetime. Consequently, to make things easier to understand, we’ve organized them into four parts. The eastern section, the western section, the northern part, and the southern part.
Famous Temples in India: EAST
- Sri Jagannath Temple:
Right by the shores of Odisha, you will find the charming town of Puri. Additionally, this place is famous all around the world because of the well-known God Jagannath Temple. That’s why people call it Jagannath Puri. Interesting fact: It is just about 62 km away from the state’s main city, Bhubaneswar.
Moreover, when you step inside Singhadwaram, the sounds of the ocean suddenly vanish. Some say it’s because of the temple’s special plan, but nobody can say for sure using science. In the temple, they cook food in 30-plus kitchens, offer it to the idols, and then share it with everyone. However, what’s amazing is that no matter how many people come, there’s always just the right amount of food.
- Kamakhya Devi Temple, Assam:
Are you an adventurer seeking a peaceful connection with spirituality? Then, the Kamakhya temple tour is a must for you. While all temples offer a sense of peace, the Kamakhya Mandir is truly exceptional. Among them, it stands out. It is a really important temple in Guwahati, Assam. It’s one of the 108 Shakti Peethas, and it’s all about Goddess Kamakhya. She’s like a form of Goddess Durga and is all about feminine power. Furthermore, they call Kamakhya the Bleeding Goddess, and she’s the powerful goddess of the temple.
It has a secret story hidden during the Ambubachi Mela festival. It’s like a little break for the temple, and then it opens again to show how strong the goddess is. In other words, there’s a special symbol called the Yoni inside. This symbol is all about the goddess’s strong creative power, but it’s a puzzle we can’t solve completely.
- Dakshineswar Kali Temple, Kolkata:
It sits by the Ganges River. It’s close to Bally Bridge in Kolkata. Every day, around 43000 people come to the temple. The main part of the temple called the Navaratna temple has a statue of the goddess Bhavatarini standing on Lord Shiva. There are also 12 more temples beside the main one. These are for Lord Shiva and have something called Shiva Lingams.
- Mahabodhi Temple, Bodhgaya:
Every bit of olden Indian building carries its very own story, its own history which is told by its walls and pieces of stones that come together to create the monument. It stands strong as a symbol of the Buddhist faith – a religion based on the idea of letting go of worldly pleasures and embracing inner calmness.
- Mukteswara Temple, Bhubaneswar, Odisha:
This is one of the very old and famous temples in Bhubaneswar. Many people visit it. It’s a temple for Bhagwan Shiva. People love its beautiful carvings and great craftwork. They built it a long time ago, in the 10th century. Nonetheless, we can learn about ancient temples from it. It is one of the oldest temples. Furthermore, it’s known as the ‘Gem because it looks amazing.
Explore the temple’s design. Likewise, the temple displays a special style of building, with detailed carvings and statues on the inside and outside. In particular, guides can help you learn more about the temple’s story.
Besides, there’s a lot in the topic Famous Temples in India: List of 20 Popular Temples. So, continue reading because it’s going to be more exciting now.
Famous Temples in India: WEST
- Somnath Temple, Gujarat:
The Somnath temple is found in Prabhas Patan near Junagadh in Saurashtra on the western coast of Gujarat. People believe it’s the first among the twelve jyotirlinga shrines of Lord Shiva, which are greatly cherished by devotees all over India. It’s also an important pilgrimage and tourist place in India, where travellers from around the world come to visit.
The Somnath temple stands as a symbol of India’s identity, not just for Hindus but for all. Throughout history, people from different beliefs have visited, connecting the past to the present. Destroyed and rebuilt, the temple’s story is a testament to India’s unwavering spirit.
- Shirdi Sai Baba Temple:
Sai Baba lived under a big tree and then in an old mosque. He had a special fire and gave special ash to guests. He grew a lovely garden too. His teachings about love and kindness are loved by many. Now, Shirdi is a special place where lots of people visit his temple. Every day, about 26000 people go there. A group called Shri Sai Baba Sansthan Trust takes care of the temple and keeps it special.
They have special paths to see the idol, a spot to eat, and a bookstall. The temple opens for aarti at 4 in the morning and goes until 10.30 at night. They do aarti three or four times a day. If you can’t go to Shirdi, you can still see it on the Internet.
- Shri Siddhivinayak Temple, Maharashtra:
In Prabhadevi, Mumbai stands the Shree Siddhivinayak Ganapati Temple. For centuries, it has been dedicated to fulfilling wishes. Shree Ganesh, known for solving problems, is India’s initial deity for new beginnings. Every week, on the day of Tuesday, a large group of followers comes to the Siddhivinayak temple to meet Ganapati Bappa and make their wishes come true.
With many visitors daily, security is tight. Bags are checked, and cameras watch both inside and out. Leave shoes at the counter, not shops, to avoid confusion. For Rs 50, skip the line with paid darshan.
- Dwarkadhish Temple Dwarka:
Every year, countless followers visit the Dwarkadhish Temple. Dwarkadhish is the Ruler of Dwarka. Dwarkadhish, signifying King of Dwarka, is Shri Krishna’s realm in ancient Dwarka. Various holy festivals are joyously observed at Dwarkadhish Temple. One vital celebration is Lord Krishna’s birthday, Janmashtami.
Visitors climb 56 steps, entering through Swarg Dwara and leaving through Moksha Dwar. Dwarkadhish Temple is a stop in the revered ‘Charm Dham Yatra’. The temple’s design blends Solanki and Chalukhyan styles, typical in Gujarat. Its towering Shikhara, resembling a mountain peak, follows the Nagara Style.
- BRAHMA TEMPLE PUSHKAR:
Thousand of years ago, petals from a special flower fell, creating a spring called Pushkar Lake. Brahma wanted to perform a ritual in Pushkar but needed his wife, Savitri. He asked for another wife, and goddess Gayatri appeared to help. Savitri got upset and cursed Brahma. He’s now mostly remembered in Pushkar. There are six Brahma Temples in India, but Pushkar’s is the main one.
The rare Brahma Temple in Pushkar is dedicated to the Hindu creator god Lord Brahma, and it stands out among other temples. Having survived the test of time, the Pushkar Brahma Temple is a significant religious site, holding a special place among the world’s most sacred locations.
Famous Temples in India: NORTH
- Vaishno Devi:
Maa Vaishnavi escaped from a tricky situation created by Bhairon. She went to a mountain and defeated him. Sridhar wanted to find Vaishnavi. She appeared in his dream and told him where to find her cave. Sridhar saw her there and got blessings. Additionally, she asked him to tell others about her. Since then, lots of people come to her shrine for blessings and love. The journey to Mata Vaishno Devi is considered incomplete without a trip to the Bhairon shrine and seeking blessings from Lord Bhairon. Situated roughly 4-5 km uphill from the Mata Vaishno Devi Temple, you may reach at the Bhairon Temple at midnight.
- Kedarnath:
The Indian area of Uttarakhand is just as magical in its mystique as it is in its beauty. From temples that have been around for centuries to the stunning mountain scenery, Uttarakhand is rightly called Dev Bhoomi. Kedarnath creates an atmosphere of divine peace situated in the heart of the Himalayas!
The journey to Kedarnath begins in April and finishes in September, with the busiest time being from April to June before the rainy season. This 16 km hike through the mountains is a special adventure that many people do every day, and lots of them choose to walk the whole way.
- Amarnath, Pahalgam:
Picture a stunning view with huge, snowy mountains in the distance. Right in front of them stands the unique cave temple, Amarnath. It’s really important for those who believe in the Hindu religion. They go there to worship Lord Shiva. Taking this journey is like going on a big adventure and a very meaningful trip for people all across India.
At Amarnath ji, the most divine thing is the Shiva lingam, an ice sculpture that looks like Lord Shiva! This is the most exciting part of the journey. During the Yatra, people take a special bath in the Amravati River nearby. They believe the water is pure and can heal. The Yatra is also a chance to learn about the local culture in Jammu and Kashmir.
- Badrinath temple:
Imagine one of the most famous temples in our country, full of exciting mythical stories.
Picture it on the right side of the Alakananda River in northern Uttarakhand. Badrinath sits between two mountains called Nar and Narayan, with the impressive Neelkanth Peak in the background. Before going to the temple, people take a special bath in the Tapt Kund. It’s a place with warm springs that can make you feel better. Inside the temple, there are special ceremonies for visitors.
- Kashi Vishwanath Temple:
Varanasi is a special city located by the Ganges River. Furthermore, it’s a favorite and holy place for Hindus. People believe it’s very spiritual according to Hindu stories, and going there is a big deal for those who believe. Moreover, the Kashi Vishwanath temple there is super important and loved by many people.
People from all over the world visit here once in their life. If they take a dip in the Ganges River, they believe it helps them reach a special place called Moksha. Similarly, the great thing is that booking a taxi is really simple and easy. The temple starts at around 2:30 am every day.
Famous Temples in India: SOUTH
- Madurai Meenakshi Temple:
The famous Meenakshi temple in Madurai was made by King Kulashekarar a long time ago. The name “Meenakshi” means a girl with fish-shaped eyes. And in an old story, they say she was born with three breasts.
The temple is open from morning until ten at night. But there’s a break from 12 pm to 4 pm when you can’t see the main god.
- Ramanathaswamy Temple, Tamil Nadu:
The special place is named after Ramanathaswamy. Plus, the shiny Golden temple of Ramanathswamy is one of the 12 very important Jyotirlingas in India.
However, in old stories from Hindu mythology, there’s a tale about Rameswaram. On the other hand, after Sri Rama defeated Ravana, he stayed on Mount Gandhamadhanam in Rameswaram. He wanted to feel better about fighting demons, so he decided to worship Lord Siva. He asked his loyal friend, Hanuman, to go to the Himalayas and bring Siva Lingam from Mount Kailas.
- Tirupati Balaji:
It is located in a place called Chittoor in Andhra Pradesh. Plus, this temple is also known as the Venkateshwar temple and it’s perched on top of Tirumala hills. Similarly, according to stories, this temple has been around for about 2000 years. Nevertheless, now it’s one of the richest temples in the world.
- The Kailasanathar temple:
It holds a special place. It’s an old Hindu place in Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, India. Plus, it’s from a time when the Pallavas ruled. Interestingly, it’s one of the oldest buildings in Kanchipuram. And most importantly, it’s a place where people worship Lord Shiva.
- The Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple:
It’s located in the East Fort of Trivandrum, a place that a lot of people find truly fascinating. Additionally, the temple is all about Lord Vishnu, one of the super important gods in Hindu stories. Moreover, what’s more, many people believe this temple is a really special home for Lord Vishnu.
Conclusion: Famous Temples in India: List of 20 Popular Temples
These are the temples you should definitely check out in your lifetime. Moreover, have you ever wondered why temples are like special spots for a journey called Tirtha? Overall, they’re really important places that show what Hindus believe. Inside a Hindu temple, you can find lots of special things from Hindu stories – like fire, water, pictures of nature, gods, both girls and boys, things people want, and even nice smells. All of these are part of how they make the temples.
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