Top Ancient Temples in India: A Complete Guide
India is a beautiful landscape that is perfect for exploring different cultures and mysterious places. Also, it is a unique beauty to visit many different places like a high mountain for the Himalayas, an open landscape for Kerala, and spiritual places like Rajasthan, Gujrat, etc. but India is not only a place for exploring the culture and beauty, it has the historical and mysterious temple who built in the ancient times. In India, there are thousands of popular ancient temples. In this blog, we will explore the top ancient temples in India with a complete guide.
Kedarnath Temple, Uttarakhand
Kedarnath Temple is one of the parts of 12 Jyotirlinga, Do Dham yatra and Char Dham yatra. Dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple sits at an altitude of 3,885 m above sea level in Rudraprayag district. As legend is believed to be, the Pandavas seek Lord Shiva for forgiveness after the war of Kurukshetra. But Lord Shiva avoided the Pandavas and changed himself into a bull form, and then the Pandavas tried to catch him Lord Shiva disappeared in 5 parts. And the Kedarnath represents the bull’s hump part. The Kedarnath temple is at a high altitude which is difficult to reach. The Kedarnath trek is through rocky trails and steep slopes. It is moderately challenging but provides an unforgettable journey.
2. Badrinath Temple, Uttarakhand
Badrinath temple is the most famous temple in India, a historic temple. It is one of the parts of Do Dham Yatra and Char Dham Yatra. It was dedicated to Lord Vishnu and sage Adi Shankara founded the temple in the 8th century. As legend believed to be, the sage Lord Vishnu has been meditating for years below the Badri tree. And the Goddess Laxmi is transformed into a Badri tree to keep Lord Vishnu safe from the extreme weather conditions. Must visit Badrinath temple for spiritual experience and natural beauty.
3. Somnath Temple, Gujarat
The Somnath temple is one of the popular sites in India. It’s an ancient temple with a historic value to Gujrat. Somnath temple is famous for Lord Shiva and it is one of the parts of 12 Jyotirlingas, which are 12 popular temples in India dedicated to Lord Shiva. Having been destroyed and rebuilt repeatedly over the historical ages of Indian history. The present temple was rebuilt in the year 1951 upon the direction of Sardar Vallabhbahi Patel. The temple symbolizes Indian history, religious faith, and spirituality.
4. Brihadeeswara Temple, Tamil Nadu
The temple was constructed in the 11th century by Raja Raja Chola. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is famous for the Nandi stone figure carved from one stone, and a massive large gopuram(tower). This temple is constructed in the Chola architecture style. It is also one of the largest Hindu temples in India. A shrine must be visited for a spiritual journey and unforgettable experience.
5. Jagannath Temple, Odisha
The Jagannath temple is the most visited temple in India. It is located in Puri, Odisha. It is one of the pilgrimage sites of Char Dham yatra and is built for Shree Jagannath (a form of Lord Vishnu). The temple is famous for its annual rath yatra (Chariot Festival). The temple was built in the 12 century by King Anantavarman Chodaganga Deva. Millions of devotees visit this temple each year. The temple attracts thousands of people each year because of its intricate carving and unique designs.
6. Konark Sun Temple, Odisha
The Sun Temple is a pilgrimage site in ancient India. It was constructed in the 13th century by King Narasimhadeva, and the temple represents the sun’s journey to the sky as the Colossal Chariot with 24 wheels and pulled by seven horses. Thousands of visitors visit the temple every year due to its elaborate carvings and distinctive designs.
7. Rameshwaram Temple, Tamil Nadu
Rameshwaram temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, it is also known as the Ramanathaswamy temple. It is situated on Rameswaram island and is one of the parts of 12 jyotirlingas. According to the legends, when Lord Ram, Goddess Sita, and Lord Laxman came back to Rameshwaram after killing Ravan (demon king). Lord Rama prayed here to Lord Shiva to seek forgiveness. And the Goddess Sita was made the shivling out of the sand, which is called the Ramalingam.
8. Virupaksha Temple, Karnataka
Virupaksha Temple is one of the most popular temples in India. It dates back to the 7th century and is located in the Hampi, Vijayanagara district of Karnataka. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a prime destination that gives the rich culture and ancient architectural view of the Vijayanagara Empire. The temple plays a role in festivals like Chariot festivals. In the festival, the temple comes alive with music, rituals, and decorations. The devotees visit this temple from all over the world.
Concussion
These are some of the top accent temples in India, that are most famous in India. India’s ancient temples are more than just architectural wonders, they also give the chance to connect with local people and know about temple history. If you are planning to explore Indian beauty with historical places, those are the best places to visit for you.
