Sun Temple, Konark, Orissa
India is a land of some of the most fascinating temples in the world. Their architecture, sculptures and mere presence makes an awe inspiring sight. Though it is extremely hard and unfair to compare among these marvelous edifices, in the following article we shall take you through ten of best temples in India.
Dedicated to the Sun God, This 13th century temple is a marvel in religious architecture. It shows the Sun God, riding across the heavens in a chariot drawn by 7 horses and having 24 wheels.
Golden Temple, Amritsar, Punjab
Also known as the Harmandir Sahib, the beautiful Golden Temple in Amritsar is a remake of the original 16th century structure. This 18th century gold plated structure is a unique blend of Mughal and Hindu architectural styles.
Meenakshi Temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu
Dedicated to the Hindu goddess Parvati and her consort, Lord Shiva, the Meenakshi Temple at Madurai is a brightly painted and elaborately sculpted temple. This 16th century wonder is a grand instance of the Dravidian architectural style.
Brihadishwara, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu
The 11th century Brihadishwara temple is a huge, carved granite structure dedicated to the Lord Shiva. A Chola dynasty marvel and now part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this temple is over 1,000 years old.
Khajuraho Temple, Madhya Pradesh
The Hindu and Jain temples at Khajuraho are famous for their architectural brilliance. Built in the Nagara style of architecture the temples have erotic sculptures on the outer walls. Part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the remains of the huge temple complex that was built between the 10th and 12th centuries attracts millions of visitors every year.
Somnath Temple, Gujarat
Constructed in 1947, the Somnath temple is visited by millions of pilgrims every year. A top tourist spot in Gujarat, the Shiva temple at Somnath has been destroyed, sacked and rebuilt many times over the centuries.
Jagannath Temple, Puri, Orissa
A group of 120 temples and shrines, the massive 12th century temple complex in Puri, dedicated to Lord Jagannath, is famous for its annual Rath Yatra which is attended by millions of pilgrims worldwide.
Akshardham Temple, Delhi
Spread over one hundred acres with over 20,000 statues from of different Hindu gods and goddesses, the Akshardham Temple in Delhi will leave you in awe of its sheer scale and beauty. Built in 2005, it a new member in the list of India’s amazing temples.
Iskcon Temple, Bengaluru, Karnataka
The largest Iskcon temple in the world till date, the Iskcon Temple in Bengaluru is dedicated to the Hindu gods Krishna and Radha. Comparatively recent this magnificent temple was built in the year 1997.
Mahabodhi Temple, Bodh Gaya, Bihar
The Maha Bodhi temple built by the Emperor Ashoka at Bodh Gaya is also on the UNESCO World Heritage site list. Originally built in the 3rd century B.C. the temple have been restored a number of times though keeping its original elements intact.
These are arguably 10 of the most beautiful temples in India right now. However, before we end, we must mention the upcoming Vrindavan Chandrodaya Mandir at Krishna Bhumi in Vrindavan, Mathura. Scaling up to 210 meters or 700 feet in height, this sky scraping edifice will be the tallest Krishna temple ever built in the world, once complete.
Conceived by Iskcon Bangalore, the temple will feature multiple temples, Krishna study center and museum, festival halls, a vedic cosmology exhibit and many more features. No doubt, when the temple is ready, it will be one of the biggest architectural marvels as well as a major destination for tourists and devotees all over the world.
