There are about 900 million Hindus in the world and most of them are found in India. There are thousands of Hindu temples in this country and each one is famous for its own specialties. So, how can you decide which temple you visit in your vacations? Today we talk about the top 5 famous temples in India in 2024 in this article.
5 Must-visit Temples In India
1. Meenakshi Amman Temple
The goddess Meenakshi Amman and Sundareswar, an incarnation of Lord Shiva and Lord Parvathi, are the subjects of the Meenakshi Amman Temple.
The exact date of construction of this temple is unknown. Descriptions of this temple are found in the literature that was written in the 7th century and thus, it is believed that it was built before that period.
The present Meenakshi Amman Temple architecture was built in the 17th century as a remodeling due to damage by invaders. This temple has two golden gopuras and fourteen towers. There are 1,000 pillars in the hall of this temple. Millions of people visit this temple each year.
More than one million people would be at this temple to watch the celebration, which happens every year in April and May. The temple tank, ceiling sculptures, distinctive rituals, and other features are additional noteworthy specialties of this temple.
The location of Meenakshi Amman temple is Madurai, Tamil Nadu on the banks of River Vaigai. It is 11 km away from Madurai International Airport.
2. Virupaksha Temple
Virupaksha Temple is the oldest Hindu temple that has still functioning since the day of its inauguration. It was built in the 7th century. It is not just a simple temple. Virupaksha Temple is one of the Top 5 Hindu temples in India.
Virupaksha temple was built by Lakkan Dandesha, a nayaka (chieftain) under the ruler Deva Raya II, also known as Prauda Deva Raya of the Vijayanagara Empire. It is a complex of many temples and most of them were built during Vijayaraja dynasty. It is situated in Hampi.
The architecture of Virupaksha Temple includes pillared halls, a gateway, and a courtyard. The 500-meter-tall gateway is a very majestic structure. A small channel is built through the temple through which River Tungbhadra flows through the temple.
This Hindu temple is very beautiful and very crowded during the celestial betrothal festival in December and the chariot festival in February.
3. Khajuraho Group of Temples
The only temple in India with sensual sculptures is the Khajuraho Group of Temples, which is also a World Heritage Site. These temples date back to the ninth and tenth centuries. This complex contains a few temples devoted to Jainism.
This complex is also famous for temples for Brahma, the creator of the world. These temples are located about 175 km away from Jhansi, Madhya Pradesh, India. It is said that there were 85 temples in this complex and only 12 remain standing today.
A lot of people visit here for its collection of extraordinary sculptures. Damaged sculptures are collected and showcased in a museum, nearby. The most famous attraction is the Khajuraho Dance Festival which is celebrated in February.
Because of these specialties, this sensual sculpture temple is in the 3rd position on our list of the top 5 famous temples of India in 2024.
4. Brihadeeswara Temple
Brihadeeswara Temple is located in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu. Lord Shiva and Parvathi have this shrine dedicated to them. It is the first granite temple in India, constructed in the tenth century.
This temple is also known as the Great Living Chola Temple, it is a World Heritage Site. 216 feet tall, this temple tower is the highest in the world. This temple’s highest point is a single, eighty-ton rock. In South India, this is a popular tourist destination. The temple car festival is an important event in this temple.
5. Puri Jagannath Temple
Puri Jagannath Temple is a very famous temple located in Puri, Odisha. Puri Jagannath Temple’s distance from Bhubaneswar is roughly 60 km. The primary deity was periodically replaced and constructed by wood in the twelfth century.
There are 21 shrines in this temple. The chariot wheel in this temple is an important element. This is a popular spot to visit during the car festival. It’s one of the Iconic temples in India to visit once in your lifetime. All of the stone is granite, and it is a recognized historical site.
The temple has six gopurams, numerous sculptures, and inlay paintings. There are about 6000 priests in this temple. This is the largest temple in the state and covers an area of 10 acres.
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