Indian Temples You Should Know About

India is a land of scenic beauty with a rich cultural heritage. However, there are some really interesting and unknown facts about Indian temples. Here are some of the most fascinating ones!

Temples in Northern India

There are a number of fascinating temples located throughout Northern India. Here are just a few of the most notable ones:

• The Mahabodhi Temple is located in Bodh Gaya, Bihar. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of the most important Buddhist pilgrimage sites in the world. The temple was built in the 5th century CE, and it is said to mark the spot where the Buddha attained enlightenment.
• The Kedarnath Temple is located in Uttarakhand. It is one of the twelve Jyotirlinga temples dedicated to Shiva and is also a popular pilgrimage site for Hindus. The temple was built in the 12th century CE and was badly damaged by an earthquake in 2013.
• The Golden Temple, or Harmandir Sahib, is located in Amritsar, Punjab. It is the holiest site in Sikhism and attracts pilgrims from all over the world. The temple was built in the 16th century CE and its exterior is covered in gold leaf.

These are just a few of the many fascinating temples that can be found in Northern India!

Temples in Southern India

There are many beautiful and fascinating temples located in southern India. Here are just a few of them:

• The Meenakshi Amman Temple is one of the most popular temples in India and is located in Madurai, Tamil Nadu. The temple is dedicated to the goddess Meenakshi, who is a form of the Hindu goddess Parvati. The temple complex covers an area of about 15 acres and has 12 gopurams (gateway towers).
• The Brihadeeswarar Temple, also known as the Big Temple, is located in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu. It was built by the Chola king Raja Raja I in the 11th century. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is one of the largest temples in India. It has a 16-story high Gopuram (gateway tower) and is made completely out of granite.
• The Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple is located in Srirangam, Tamil Nadu. It is one of the largest Hindu temples in the world and covers an area of 156 acres. The temple complex has 49 sub-shrines and 21 towers, with the tallest tower being 236 feet high.

Temples in Western India

There are a number of ancient temples in Western India that are absolutely fascinating. From the grand and ornate architecture to the stunning sculptures and carvings, these temples are definitely worth a visit. Here are some interesting facts about a few of these temples:

• The Sun Temple in Konark is a 13th-century temple dedicated to the Hindu sun god, Surya. It is one of the most famous temples in India and is known for its unique architecture. The entire temple is designed in the shape of a giant chariot, with 12 pairs of wheels and 7 horses.
• The Ranakpur Jain Temple is one of the largest and most beautiful Jain temples in India. It was built in the 15th century and has an impressive 29 halls, 80 domes, and 1,444 pillars all of which are intricately carved.
• The Elephanta Caves are a series of rock-cut cave temples located on Elephanta Island, near Mumbai. These caves date back to the 2nd century BCE and contain some of the finest examples of Hindu art and sculpture.

Temples in Eastern India

There is no denying that India is a land of contradictions. A land where the ancient and the modern sit side by side; where poverty and wealth exist within inches of each other. It is also a land steeped in spirituality, with thousands of temples dotting the landscape.

The eastern part of India is home to some of the most fascinating temples in the country. From the imposing Konark Sun Temple to the serene Jagannath Temple, these temples are not only beautiful but also have intriguing histories.

Here are some fascinating facts about Indian temples in Eastern India:

1. The Konark Sun Temple in Odisha was built in the 13th century to worship the sun god Surya. It is said that the temple was so brilliantly designed that it appeared to be floating on water when seen from a distance.
2. The Jagannath Temple in Puri is one of the most important pilgrimage sites for Hindus. It is believed that Lord Jagannath, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, resides here. Every year, millions of devotees flock to this temple to catch a glimpse of their deity.
3. The Kamakhya Temple in Assam is dedicated to the goddess Kam.

Temples Outside of India

There are many temples located outside of India that were built by Indians who migrated there. These temples are a reflection of the rich culture and history of India. Here are some fascinating facts about these Indian temples:

1. The first Indian temple built outside of India was in London. It was constructed in 1879 by Madhavrao Scindia, a Maharaja from Gwalior.
2. The largest Indian temple outside of India is the Sri Lakshmi Narayan Temple in Leicester, England. It was built in 1977 and covers an area of over 14,000 square feet.
3. There are over 100 Indian temples in the United States. The first one was built in San Francisco in 1852 by members of the Hindu community who had migrated there from India.
4. The largest Indian temple in the United States is the Sri Venkateswara Temple in Bridgewater, New Jersey. It was built in 1975 and covers an area of over 30,000 square feet.
5. Indian temples outside of India are not only found in Western countries but also in African and Asian countries such as Mauritius, Uganda, Malaysia, and Singapore.