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.