20 significant temples from various parts of India with brief descriptions
Following is list of 20 significant temples from various parts of India with brief descriptions:
1. Vaishno Devi Temple, Jammu and Kashmir:
– Nestled in the Trikuta Mountains, it is dedicated to Goddess Vaishno Devi.
– Pilgrims trek uphill to seek the goddess’s blessings.
2. Tirupati Balaji Temple, Andhra Pradesh:
– Located in Tirumala, it is one of the richest temples globally, dedicated to Lord Venkateswara.
– Pilgrims offer hair as a symbolic gesture of surrender.
3. Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Uttar Pradesh:
– Situated in Varanasi, it is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is one of the holiest shrines for Hindus.
– The temple complex is a hub of spiritual activities.
4. Golden Temple (Harmandir Sahib), Punjab:
– The holiest site in Sikhism, it is known for its golden façade and sacred tank.
– Pilgrims from all walks of life visit to pay their respects.
5. Jagannath Temple, Odisha:
– Located in Puri, it is dedicated to Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra.
– Famous for the annual Rath Yatra festival.
6. Meenakshi Temple, Tamil Nadu:
– A historic temple in Madurai dedicated to Goddess Meenakshi and Lord Sundareswarar.
– Renowned for its intricate architecture and vibrant sculptures.
7. Badrinath Temple, Uttarakhand:
– Situated in the Himalayas, it is one of the Char Dham pilgrimage sites.
– Dedicated to Lord Badrinath, it is open only during the summer months.
8. Dwarkadhish Temple, Gujarat:
– Located in Dwarka, it is dedicated to Lord Krishna.
– Part of the Char Dham pilgrimage, it attracts devotees from across the country.
9. Somnath Temple, Gujarat:
– One of the twelve Jyotirlinga shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva.
– Renowned for its resilience despite being rebuilt multiple times.
10. Siddhivinayak Temple, Maharashtra:
– Located in Mumbai, it is dedicated to Lord Ganesha.
– A popular pilgrimage site and a symbol of prosperity.
11. Akshardham Temple, Delhi:
– A large Hindu temple complex showcasing traditional Indian art and cultural heritage.
– Dedicated to Bhagwan Swaminarayan.
12. Ramanathaswamy Temple, Tamil Nadu:
– Situated on Rameswaram Island, it is dedicated to Lord Shiva.
– Features the longest corridor among all Hindu temples.
13. Lingaraj Temple, Odisha:
– A major pilgrimage site dedicated to Lord Shiva in Bhubaneswar.
– Known for its unique architectural style and intricate sculptures.
14. Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Kerala:
– Located in Thiruvananthapuram, it is dedicated to Lord Padmanabha (Vishnu).
– Famous for its massive hidden treasure vaults.
15. Kedarnath Temple, Uttarakhand:
– One of the Char Dham sites, dedicated to Lord Shiva.
– Accessible only during the summer months.
16. Sai Baba Temple, Shirdi, Maharashtra:
– Dedicated to the revered saint Sai Baba.
– A pilgrimage site attracting devotees from various faiths.
17. Brihadeeswarar Temple, Tamil Nadu:
– Located in Thanjavur, it is dedicated to Lord Shiva.
– An exemplary example of Dravidian architecture.
18. Sun Temple, Konark, Odisha:
– A UNESCO World Heritage Site dedicated to the Sun God.
– Known for its intricate carvings depicting various aspects of life.
19. Kamakhya Temple, Assam:
– Situated atop Nilachal Hill in Guwahati, dedicated to Goddess Kamakhya.
– Known for the annual Ambubachi Mela.
20. Chennakesava Temple, Karnataka:
– Located in Belur, it is dedicated to Lord Vishnu.
– An exemplary showcase of Hoysala architecture.
These 20 temples offer a glimpse into the rich cultural and religious diversity of India. Each temple has its unique significance, history, and architectural beauty, contributing to the spiritual tapestry of the country.