There are more than 33 million gods in the Hindu religion. With the worship of God comes the idea of building temples. There are around 2 million temples in India differing in forms, shapes, size, structures and material. Few of these tempting temples are architectural bliss and are a delight to watch. Here is the list of top 5 temples of India:
Meenakshi Amman Temple
Historic Hindu temple on the banks of Vaigai River, Madurai, Tamil Nadu is dedicated to Shiva and Parvati also called Sundareshwar and Parvati. The temple is an explosion of colours, unlike other Hindu temples which are plain. It stands 52m high with around 33,000 scripture.
Jain Temples
The Jain Temples of Jaisalmer are architectural bliss and makes the photographer in you come to life. These temples are dedicated to various Jain Tirthankaras and were built in the 12th and 15th century. The moment you enter it, you are astounded by the marvellous architecture. Words fall short to express the beauty of the carvings on Yellow Sandstone.
Khajuraho Temples
These temples are not for the prudish as they are decorated with explicit erotic carvings. But if you have an open mind, you might find these temples quite spectacular. These temples have been declared a UNESCO world heritage site. Located in Madhya Pradesh this is a cluster of 25 temples.
Hoysaleswara Temple
Known for its beautiful architecture, this temple is situated in Hassan district of Karnataka and is dedicated to Hindu god Shiva. It is the largest monument in Halebidu, Karnataka former capital of Hoysala empire.
Kailasa Temple
Largest monolithic rock-cut temple in the world is situated in Ellora caves of Maharashtra. It is considered as one of the most remarkable temples of India because of its size and sculptures.
Lotus Temple
Also known as Bahai Temple is structured in the form of a lotus with manicured gardens and pools around it. Located in Delhi, it is a place that provides you with silence to concentrate, meditate and search for inner peace.
Golden Temple
This stunning temple, which sits in the middle of a small, sacred lake, is the holiest of all Sikh shrines. Gold panels cover most of the exterior of the temple and its dome is also gilded — hence its name. The Golden Temple is located in Amritsar, Punjab.
Akshardham Temple
Located in Delhi, this temple is comparatively new. It is the largest Hindu temples in the world and constructed using ancient techniques. The Akshardham Temple complex, which sits on the banks of the Yamuna River, also features a boat ride that will take you on a journey through India’s history, a musical fountain show and an 11-foot-high, gilded statue of the Bhagwan Swaminarayan.
Brihadeeswarar Temple
Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva is situated in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu. It has been declared a UNESCO world heritage site. It is one of the largest South Indian temples and is a beautiful example of Dravidian architecture.
Chennakesava Temple
It is a 12th-century Hindu temple in Karnataka and is dedicated to god Vishnu. Belur has favoured tourist destinations, known for its marvellous temples.
Konark Sun Temple
Situated in Odisha, Konark is a World Heritage Site declared by UNESCO. It was built in 13th century by the rulers of Eastern Ganga dynasty. It resembles the figure of a chariot with seven horses and twelve pair of wheels. This iconic specimen of Kalinga architecture is made with Khondalite rocks.
Ramanathaswamy Temple
This temple is one of the milestones of the famous ‘Char Dham Yatra’. Devoted to Lord Shiva, this temple is located in Rameshwaram, Tamil Nadu. This breathtakingly beautiful temple attracts millions of pilgrims every year. It is believed that this temple was built by Lord Rama. The temple tanks hall of 1212 pillars in the outer corridor.
The jaw-dropping gorgeous architecture of these temples attracts tourists from all over the globe.