Top 6 Temples in India That Will Impress You

India is the second-most populous country, the seventh-largest country by land area, and the most populous democracy in the world.

It consists of 28 states and 8 union territories. The country is home to countless temples with many of these temples being quite amazing and fascinating. Let’s take a look at these temples below;  

1. Golden Temple 

The Golden Temple, also known as Harmandir Sahib, meaning “abode of God” or Darbār  Sahib, meaning “exalted court”, is a gurdwara located in the city of Amritsar, Punjab, India. It is the preeminent spiritual site of Sikhism. It’s all made of 24-karat gold, which is much purer than the 22-karat gold present in Indian households today. It was opened in 1589.  

2. Meenakshi Amman Temple 

Arulmigu Meenakshi Sundareshwarar Temple is a historic Hindu temple located on the southern bank of the Vaigai River in the temple city of Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India. It is dedicated to Thirukamakottam udaya aaludaiya nachiyar, a form of Parvati, and her consort,  Sundareshwar, a form of Shiva. It has long been the focus of both Indian and international tourist attractions as well as one of the most important places of Hindu pilgrimage. 

3. Virupaksha Temple 

Virupaksha Temple is located in Hampi in the Ballari district of Karnataka, India. It is part of the Group of Monuments at Hampi, designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The temple is dedicated to Lord Virupaksha, a form of Shiva. It was built by Queen Lokamahadevi, was originally called Lokeshwara. This temple is built in the southern Dravida style and is the largest in the enclosure. It has a massive gateway and several inscriptions. 

4. Khajuraho Temples

This is a group of Hindu temples and Jain temples in Chhatarpur district, Madhya Pradesh,  India, about 175 kilometers southeast of Jhansi. They are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The temples are famous for their nagara-style architectural symbolism and their erotic sculptures.  The temples at Khajuraho were built during the Chandella dynasty, which reached its apogee between 950 and 1050. Only about 20 temples remain; they fall into three distinct groups and belong to two different religions – Hinduism and Jainism. 

5. Lotus Temple 

The Lotus Temple, located in Delhi, India, is a Baháʼí House of Worship that was dedicated in  December 1986. Notable for its flowerlike shape, it has become a prominent attraction in the city. Like all Baháʼí Houses of Worship, the Lotus Temple is open to all, regardless of religion or any other qualification.

The temple is not only a symbol of excellence in modern Indian architecture but also one of the most visited religious buildings in the world. The form of this  House of Worship takes the shape of the lotus, a flower considered sacred by most Indians. 

6. Kailasa Temple 

The Kailasha or Kailashanatha temple is the largest of the rock-cut Hindu temples at the Ellora  Caves, Maharashtra, India. The Kailash Temple is the sixteenth cave, and it is one of the 32  cave temples and monasteries forming the magnanimous Ellora Caves. As per the historical records, it was built by the 8th century Rashtrakuta King Krishna I between the years 756 and  773 AD.