Famous Indian Temples you will want to visit
India is a holy country where people belonging to various religions live in enviable harmony. This great nation is famous for its beautiful temples. These temples attract hordes of tourists every day. Here is a brief overview of some famous Indian Temples
Balaji Temple
Balaji Temple is located in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh. This temple is the busiest pilgrimage center in the world, with around 30,000 visitors every day. Hindus believe this temple to be the abode of Lord Venkateshwara (also known as Balaji). The temple’s Dravidian architecture is precise and imposing.
Golden Temple
This beautiful temple is located in Amritsar, Punjab. The Golden Temple is also known as Harmandir Sahib, which literally means “the abode of God” in the Punjabi language. This temple is held sacred by Sikhs. For people belonging to this community, this temple symbolizes spiritual independence and infinite freedom.
Sanchi Stupa
Sanchi is a Buddhist pilgrimage destination and a World Heritage Site. The Sanchi Stupa is a major tourist attraction in Madhya Pradesh. It was built by emperor Ashoka in Buddha’s honor more than 2000 years ago. It is believed to be built over the relics of Buddha. The Stupa stands majestically, with its massive hemispherical dome.
Sun Temple
The Sun Temple in Konark is a major tourist attraction in Odisha (previously known as Orissa). This thirteenth century temple is a World Heritage Site and is one of the seven wonders of India. This temple is famous for its architectural beauty and is a stunning monument of religious significance.
Cave temples at Ellora
Ellora is a World Heritage Site. Cave temples at Ellora are located near Aurangabad, Maharashtra. These temples were built more than a thousand years ago. Visitors can see Hindu, Buddhist and Jain temples here. These temples demonstrate the religious harmony prevalent during those times.
Chennakesava Temple
This beautiful temple is located in Belur, Karnataka. It is well-known for its stunning and precise stone carvings. The temple is built using soapstone and has 48 pillars. Each pillar is a unique piece of art.
Padmanabhaswamy Temple
This temple is located in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. Treasures worth nearly 20 billion dollars were found in this temple in June 2011. This Hindu temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is the richest temple in India. Visit to the above-mentioned temples will definitely make your trip to India a memorable one.
Take a look at Essential India if you are after a good guide book
I hope this little tour of 7 famous Indian temples has inspired you. You may alss like my post on Why visit Fiji
