India is home to some of the famous temples, and interestingly, these religious places are visited by not only Indian citizens but also anyone who wants to go on Spiritual tours of India. Besides, some of these magnificent temples are also admired for their incredible architecture.
Let us take a tour of India through its temples.
1. Akshardham Temple
Starting from Delhi, Akshardham Temple is famous for its stunning architecture. The structure, built of Rajasthani pink stone and Italian Carrara marble, looks stunning. Being one of the prime attractions of the North India Tour, the temple features the 11 ft idol of Lord Swaminarayan that lies magnificently below the central dome of the temple. The temple also features an exhibition, move, a boat ride that informs the visitors of the history and philosophy of Swaminayaran sect, and a light and music show that takes place when the sunsets.
2. Golden Temple
A North India Tour is incomplete without visiting Golden Temple in Amritsar. One of the most revered places for Sikhs, the temple stands in the middle of the divine lake which is believed to contain holy water. The temples observe a large crowd of devotees on the holy occasions of Guru Nanak Jayanti and Baisakhi.
3. Khajuraho Temple
Located in the Khajuraho town of Madhya Pradesh, the temple complex houses several temples built between the 10th to 12th centuries. Sprawled across an area of 20 sq km, the monuments are recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Site. Though the temples had been built of sandstone and are dedicated to the deities of Hindus and Jains, they are renowned for the erotic carvings. The temple complex was believed to be house more than 75 temples, out of which only 20 exist at present.
4. Virupaksha Temple
Built-in the 7th century, Virupaksha Temple is famous for being a functioning temple ever since it originated. Located in the village of Hampi – an important destination of South India Tour, it comes under the umbrella of heritage sites and attracts foreign and local travellers alike. Virupaksha Temple houses a shrine of Shiva and observes many festivals and weddings.
5. Tirupati Balaji
Famously known as Tirumala Venkateswara Temple, the Tirupati Balaji is devoted to Lord Venkateshwara – an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Undoubtedly the most revered temple in South India, Venkateshwara Tirupati Balaji is the second richest religious site with devotees offering an infinite amount of money and gold to their Lord running every day. Another major attraction of the place is laddoos – given as prasadam in the shrine is world-famous for its delectable taste.
6. The Konark Sun Temple
The Sun Temple stands proudly in the small town of Konark, Puri district of Odisha. The architectural marvel is dedicated to Lord Sun and resembles his carriage. The entire temple has been built in the shape of a chariot that features twelve wheels and is dragged by seven horses. The temple attracts visitors for its charming beauty and is an ideal place to take some impeccable pictures.
7. Somnath and Dwarka Temple
The two incredible Somnath and Dwarka Temple are located at seashore. Devoted to Lord Krishna, Dwarkadhish Temple stands on the banks of River Gomti. The temple building features 5 storied buildings, supported by 72 pillars and this is the reason that fascinates tourists all around the world.
Somnath Temple, located 230 km from Dwarka is devoted to Lord Shiva and houses one of the 12 Jyotirlingas. The temple finds remarks in many ancient books and has great tales in its store for the visitors.
8. Kashi Vishwanath Temple
Located in the ancient and holy city of Varanasi, Kashi Vishwanath is much revered for its high value. Many great men in history have continuously visited the distinguished temple. A visit to the sacred temple of Shiva is believed to be one of the many ways to attain Moksha (liberation of soul).
9. Meenakshi Temple
When we are listing the most famous temples in India, it would be unfair not to mention the architectural wonder – Meenakshi Temple, located in Madurai (Tamil Nadu). Dedicated to Goddess Parvati (also known as Meenakshi) and her husband Lord Shiva, the temple features a hall that consists of 985 pillars with every pillar different from each other and intricately carved. The colourful temple that was built in the 12th century was also a nominee of the ‘New Seven Wonders of the World.’
If you want to see real India, you can’t do without visiting its revered temples. Though primarily known for the spiritual tour, they also surprise visitors for their beauty, grandeur, architecture, significance, and the spirit of devotees.