India is home to the most beautiful, marvelous temples all across the world. They hold great significance for the Hindu religion and are culturally relevant for the tourists to this day. Here are a few temples in India that you must visit:-
Kashi Vishwanath Temple (Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh)
Location and Temple Layout
One of the 12 Jyotirlingas, Kashi Vishwanath Temple, is situated in the ancient city of Uttar Pradesh, on the banks of river Ganga in Varanasi amidst the crowded marketplace in the Vishwanath lane where every day thousands of devotees come from far off places.
Mythology and Origin
Kashi Vishwanath Temple is also mentioned in Mahabharata and Upanishad and according to mythology, Lord Shiva after marrying Goddess Parvati, came to Mount Kailash and started living there. Whereas Goddess Parvati was living in her father’s house where she was not feeling well at all. One day Goddess Parvati asked Lord Shiva to take her to his home. Following the advice of Goddess Parvati, he took him to Kashi and established himself here in the form of Vishwanath Jyotirling. Lord Kashi Vishwanath is also known as Vishweshwar which means the ruler of the universe.
Kashi Vishwanath Corridor Development
The construction of Kashi Vishwanath Dham i.e. the corridor which was built at a cost of Rs 700 crore on 13th December 2021, now there are total 7 gates here and among the 7 gates there are 3 gates which are for the entrance point and rest of the 4 gates inside the temple are in the premises. So the structure here is like this, apart from this, 24 buildings have been constructed here, so the temple is quite big and the buildings are also quite worth seeing and you will get darshan here much more easily than before.
2. Meenakshi Temple (Madurai, Tamil Nadu)
Meenakshi and Sundareshwar Legends
Madurai, one of the oldest cities of Tamil Nadu, It Is known for both its cultural and commercial form where thousands of visitors come every day to visit the different temples here. The most famous temple of Madurai is the Meenakshi temple which not only has its own history but it is the one which attracts first of all.Learn more about Meenakshi temple on Wikipedia.
Architectural Features
These are the artistic colorful sculptures carved on the walls of this temple. Meenakshi Temple is dedicated to Goddess Parvati But she is in the form of Meenakshi, whereas Lord Shiva is here in the form of Sundareshwar.Devotees coming to Madurai, along with visiting the Meenakshi temple, also go to a place called Ajgar Kovil where there are many temples Ajgar Govil.
3. Somnath Temple (Gujarat)
Jyotirlinga Significance
There are 12 Jyotirlingas in India but what is the importance of these Jyotirlingas? Well, it is believed that Jyotirlingas is that divine place of India where Lord Shiva lived in different forms Jyoti means light or radiance Linga means sign. So, the word Jyotirlinga means radiance signs of Lord shiva Somnath Temple in Gujarat is the first Jyotirlinga and that’s why it is always number one in the list of pilgrims. This temple was demolished many times Seventeen times to be precise But it was rebuilt in 1947 by the son of Gujarat- Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel And that’s why his statue is here even today.
4. Brihadeeswarar Temple (Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu)
Chola Dynasty and Temple Construction
The architectural marvel built by Rajaraja Chola in Thanjavur. It should be declared as one of the seven wonders of the world due to its mind-blowing architecture hundreds of inscriptions and huge sculptures all from a thousand years ago. Vijayalayachola overthrew the Mutharaiyars and made Thanjavur, the chola capital after that Thanjavur was ruled by the cholas for almost 400 years. Then came the pandyas then it was ruled by the Thanjavur nayakas then the Thanjavur was ruled by marathas. the temple is surrounded by fort walls and a moat. This was built by Sevvappa Nayaka in the 16th century.
Structural Layout and Inscriptions
The temple faces the east where the sun rises this entrance gate was built by the maratha kings in the later period. Here is the chandikeshwara shrine built by raja chola. This is the largest shrine in the world built for chandikeshwara. Various devotees visit this temple everyday as it is one of the most popular temples in TamilNadu.
5. Kedarnath Temple (Uttarakhand)
Location and Trek Route
In Northern India the Kedarnath is located in the state of Uttarakhand. Amongst the scenic locals of the garhwal region offers an unruffled Ambience with its Snowy Peaks. Alpine forests and colorful rhododendrons renowned for the Ancient Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. Kedarnath is an exhilarating experience in the Rudraprayag district. Kedarnath Temple can only be reached from gaurikund through a trek and remains open only for six months from April to November. Due to heavy snowfall in the region during the rest of the months during the winters from November to May. The deity is shifted from kedarnath Temple to Ukhimath and is worshiped there.
Mythological background
Kedar is another name for Lord Shiva, the protector and the destroyer and it’s believed that a journey to kedarnath provides Moksha or salvation. It is set in a snow-clad mountain near Chorabari Glacier with the Mandakini river flowing in front of it. Kedarnath Witnesses lakhs of devotees every year due to its religious significance. The present day kedarnath Temple is believed to be reconstructed by ADI Shankaracharya which was initially built by the pandavas thousands of years ago from enormous stone slabs over a large rectangular dice. It’s a marvel wonder of India,
6. Dwarka Temple (Gujarat)
Lineage of Krishna and Temple Origin
This temple was built by the fourth generation after Shri Krishna in Gujarat. Shri Krishna’s son was Pradyumna, Pradyumna’s son was Aniruddha and Aniruddha’s son was Vajranabha, who got this temple constructed. This temple, built in the memory of Shri Krishna, is one of the sites among the Char-Dham. This temple is also one of the sites among “Sapta-Puri” temples. After leaving Gokul, Vrindavan, Braj and Mathura, Dwarka was the only legacy left with Shri Krishna. Shri Krishna’s elder brother, Balram, got married to Revati whose father, King Revat, gave him this piece of land as a wedding gift.
Temple Structure and Layout
This flag is 52 yards long and it is hoisted five times a day. This temple premises is home to the whole family of Shri Krishna. That includes Mata Devaki, Shri Krishna’s mother and behind Shri Krishna’s temple, you will find his wives’ abode, known as ‘Rani-vaas.’ On the left hand side of Shri Krishna’s temple is that of his brother Balram. On the right side of the temple are the temples of Shri Krishna’s son and grandson, Pradyumna and Aniruddha, respectively. There is no farming done in the 10-12 km area around the temple due to a curse by Sage Durvasa. This temple is an abode of all the Shrishti Krishna devotees.
I hope this list which I have personally curated helps you when you visit temples the next time. This list is filled with the most significant temples in India.
