The Ten Most Iconic Temples of India

India is referred to as a land of temples. Be it Grand or simple, old or new, these symbols of Faith can be seen in almost every corner of the country. There are thousands of temples in India that are a must-visit owing to their place in history and mythology and also because these are architectural marvels, that are symbols of India’s rich cultural past. So here is a List of the 10 Most Iconic Temples In India that one must visit to witness the marvelous architectural beauty of the country.

Source: Unsplash

Rameswaram temple

A perfect blend of magnificent architecture and spiritual significance, Rameshwaram Temple, also known as Ramanathaswamy Temple of Tamil Nadu is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is one of the twelve Jyotirling temples where Shiva is worshipped in the form of Jyotirlingas. The temple has the longest corridor among all Hindu temples in India. It was built by King Muthuramalinga Sethupathiy. A visit to Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh is not considered complete in terms of pilgrimage if not coupled with a trip to Rameshwaram which is said to be the Varanasi of the South.

Source: Rameshwaram Temple

Badrinath temple

Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, one of the most beautiful and religious temples situated at a height of 10,279 ft. The temple sits on the Alak Nanda river, in Garhwal Hills town of Uttrakhand. Badrinath temple comes among the Four Dhams. Due to Extreme climatic conditions, the temple opens only for six months ( from the end of April to the beginning of November). The temple is also one of the 108 Divya Desams. Ancient texts hold this abode of Lord Vishnu in very high esteem, stating - "there are many spots of pilgrimage in the heaven, earth and the world, but there has been none equal to Badri, nor shall there be." It is one of the most visited pilgrimage centers in India.

Source: Uttarakhand tourism

Shree Dwarkadheesh Temple

Shri Dwarkadheesh Mandir is one of the oldest and largest Hindu temples in Mathura city in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India. The temple is dedicated to Lord Dwarkadheesh, a form of Lord Krishna known as Dwarkanath, depicted in a black marble idol along with his counterpart goddess Radha in form of Radharani. The temple is known for its beautiful architecture, carvings, and paintings. Mathura city attracts millions of tourists from all over the world and Dwarikadheesh temple is one of the most sacred to visit in the city.

Source: Gujrat Tourism

Tirupati Balaji Temple

Situated in the Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh, Tirupati is known for Lord Venkateshwara Temple, one of the most visited pilgrimage centers in the country. The temple is located at the peak of Tirumala hill, also known as Venkatadri. One of the most important pilgrimage centers in India, the temple draws millions of pilgrims and is believed to be the busiest pilgrimage center in the world. Tirupati Balaji holds the record of being the richest as well as the most visited temple in India. Tirupati Balaji Temple is surely a visual treat, one of the Indian marvels and a prominent place to visit for a Hindu devotee.

Source: Holidify

Shree Jagannath Temple

Located in the sacred town of Puri, the Jagannath Temple was built in the 11th century by King Indradyumna. This glorious temple is the abode of Lord Jagannath who is a form of Lord Vishnu. It is the most revered pilgrimage site for Hindus and is included in the pious Char Dham Yatra with Badrinath, Dwarka, and Rameshwaram.The vibrant religious festivals of the town allures tourists in large numbers. The most awaited of them is the Rath Yatra celebrated with Great joy. The colorful ambiance, interesting rituals, and the excitement of the pilgrims are worth witnessing.

Source: Shree Jagannath

Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple

Kashi Vishvanath Temple is one of the most famous Hindu temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is located in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India. The temple stands on the western bank of the holy river Ganga and is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas. The main deity is known by the name Vishvanatha or Vishveshvara meaning Ruler of The Universe. There are many small temples surrounding the main temple. Many of them have been moved during the expansion of temple premises for the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor. According to Hindu philosophy, visiting the Kashi Vishwanath Temple and bathing in the River Ganges are essential stages on the path to liberation, or moksha; therefore devotees from all over the country make an effort to visit the city of Varanasi at least once in their lifetime.

Source: Tourism India

Kedarnath Temple

Kedarnath temple is one of the sacred pilgrimage centers in Northern India, located on the bank of the Mandakini river at an altitude of 3584 meters above sea level. Kedarnath temple is a part of Char Dhams and Panch Kedar in Uttarakhand and one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva in India. It is among the 275 temples of Paadal Petra Sthalams (the most powerful Shiva temples in the world). For a person who is seeking some kind of spiritual uplift, Kedar is a boon whose proportions you cannot imagine. With fresh Air and mesmerizing views, the beauty of Kedarnath Dham makes you lose the sense of time. Every year, thousands of pilgrims visit the Kedarnath temple to seek the blessings of Lord Shiva.

Source: Uttarakhand Tourism

Golden Temple

The Golden Temple is a gurdwara located in the city of Amritsar, Punjab, India. It is one of the holiest sites in Sikhism, alongside the Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur in Kartarpur, and Gurdwara Janam Asthan in Nankana Sahib. The Golden temple is famous for its fully golden dome. The Mandir is built on a 67-ft square of marble and is a two-storied structure. The stunning golden architecture of the temple and the daily Langar (community kitchen) attract a large number of visitors and devotees each day. The temple is open to devotees of all faiths and serves over 100,000 people with free food from all walks of life. Golden Temple is indisputably one of the most exquisite attractions in the world.

Source: Amritsar

Somnath Temple

The Somnath temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva is a Hindu temple located in Prabhas Patan, Veraval in Gujarat, India. It is one of the most sacred pilgrimage sites for Hindus and is believed to be first among the twelve jyotirlinga shrines of Shiva. It has been destroyed and reconstructed several times in the past. Since ancient times, the Somnath temple has been treated as one of the greatest pilgrimage sites in India. The major reason for this is the fact that it is located on the confluence of three rivers - also known as Triveni Sangam - namely Kapila, Hiran, and Sarasvati. It is one of the major tourist attractions all around the globe.

Source: Jay Somnath

Vaishno Devi Temple

The Vaishno Devi Temple also referred to as Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Temple and Vaishno Devi Bhavan is a prominent Hindu temple dedicated to the goddess Vaishno Devi. The second-most visited Hindu pilgrimage destination in India, Mata Vaishno Devi Cave Temple is situated in the Trikuta Hills in Katra, Jammu & Kashmir. Vaishnavi was formed from the combined energies of Parvati, Lakshmi, and Saraswati. Hindu devotees from around the world visit this famed religious site where the Mother Goddess or Mata Vaishno Devi is said to fulfill their wishes.

Source: Tour my India

Here we came to end and witnessed The Ten Most Iconic Temples of India you can go for your next Holy trip. with a prayer to God that your life would always be full of happiness and joy I'm ending up. Do not forget to share your thoughts and wishes in the comment box.

Thank You !!