Published 21st Mar. 2023
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Temples can be found everywhere on India holidays, from the heights of the Himalayas to the caves of Maharashtra. But where to start? It can feel like a somewhat daunting task, so we’ve got you covered with we this list containing some of our very favourites: 15 shrines that offer spiritual enlightenment and showcase India’s astounding architecture. Some of our favourite temples in India have played a pivotal role in national history – even world history – for millennia. So remove your footwear shoes, step inside and join us on a tour of these through the sacred spaces.…
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First up on our list of the best temples in India is Golden Temple. Also known as Harmandir Sahib, this gorgeous temple is the holiest place of worship for the Sikh religion. Built in the mid-15th century on the edge of a manmade lake in Amritsar, this temple’s golden facade and religious significance attracts devotees and tourists alike, and it’s one of the most famous temples in northern India.
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This temple stands amid the majestic Himalayan glaciers and is open to visitors from mid-April to mid-November. Built for Lord Shiva, – the destroyer, – it is one of the holiest pilgrimages in India and visiting this eighth century wonder merits the eight-mile hike through the mountains. The mesmerising views, spiritual significance and fascinating architecture is said to leave many visitors feeling euphoric so prepare yourself for a memorable visit..
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Opened to the public in 1986, the Lotus Temple is a modern architectural treat built in the shape of a lotus flower. The temple welcomes worshippers of all religions and attracts lovers of sculpture as well as seekers of faith. The structure, designed by Iranian architect Fariborz Sahba, is comprised of 27 marble petals that give the building its floral shape.
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This temple in Maharashtra is arguably one of man’s most amazing ancient creations making it a worthy contender for our list of the top temples in India. Built in 760 AD, the mammoth structure is carved out of a single rock and is the 16th of the 34 caves of Ellora. Although the exterior is relatively plain, the interior is covered in intricate designs, reliefs and carved rock columns.
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In use since the seventh century, Virupaksha Temple was once a part of the royal city of Vijayanagar. Although the temple is still intact, the rest of the city is mostly in ruins. The complex consists of three towers and is dedicated to the deity Shiva, known here as Virupaksha. The oldest temple in Hampi is also the only one with its own elephant, Lakshmi, believed to be a living incarnation of the god Ganesha.
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Located off the coast of India on Pamban Island, this temple is part of the holy char dham – a set of four sites Hindus visit to help achieve salvation. The temple is in a walled complex with towering gateways and bathing ponds. The star attraction, however, is the intricate network of brightly painted corridors, including the longest pillared corridor in the world.
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This magnificent temple is worth visiting for its excellent architecture. It’s in a village near to Jayankondam in Tamil Nadu, which served as the capital during the Chola dynasty for around 250 years. The temple is a living history of the Cholas from the period of Rajendra-I. Many sculptures brought from Andhra, Karnataka and Bengal as war trophies are also preserved in the temple and in the nearby villages.
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Commonly known as Poicha temple, Nilkanth Dham is one of many temples built by Swaminarayan Samsthan. The grandeur of the entrance sets the standard for the rest of the site, which is spread over 105 acres and the beautifully landscaped gardens are a wonderful place to spend a couple of hours.
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Dedicated to Lord Shiva and his consort Shakti, this is considered the oldest functional temple in the world. Believed to have been built in the Saka era, the Archaeological Survey of India dates it to 108 AD and was built in the shape of an octagon making this a truly unique site.
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This temple in Odisha is one of the most famous in the world and is another of the char dhams that every Hindu is advised to visit. The architecture is divine and the flag changing ceremony is a particular highlight. Note that to access the temple requires walking barefoot for some distance, so plan accordingly. We also advise visiting in the early morning or late evening to avoid the heavy crowds.
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Akshardham Temple is a beautiful Hindu temple and a spiritual complex. Also called the Swaminarayan temple, over 11,000 artisans worked on this lavishly decorated campus inaugurated in 2005. Be sure to catch the temple’s evening light show.
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Resting by the western bank of River Ganges, Kashi Vishwanath is one of Varanasi’s most famous temples. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, it has been destroyed and rebuilt many times. The magnificent temple has a gold-plated dome, and many devotees believe that Lord Shiva fulfils the wishes of those who’ve gazed upon it.
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Amarnath temple in the state of Jammu and Kashmir is over 5,000 years old. The temple is set at almost 14,500ft and in winter the road is blocked by snow. The temple dedicated to Lord Shiva is a natural cave formed from ice. Millions of travellers from around the world trek 40 miles to visit it proving that it’s a site well worth the effort required to reach it.
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Known by various names, this is a Sufi tomb of the revered Sufi saint, Moinuddin Chishti. It is said that Akbar and his queen used to come here on foot on pilgrimage from Agra every year in observance of a vow where he prayed for a son. It has been estimated that around 150,000 pilgrims visit the site every day.
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Last up on our list of the best temples in India is Tungnath Temple. Set at 12,073ft, this is the highest Shiva temple in the world. The exact dates of its origin are obscure, but if legend is to be believed, it was the Indian mythological heroes Pandava who built the temple to venerate Lord Shiva. This black rock temple can barely accommodate ten people so prepare for a tight squeeze.
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