Civilization started thousands of years ago in India. India has the world’s most diverse traditions, culture and lifestyles. Scholars from different parts of the Earth have visited India and praised its magnificence time and again. It is the birthplace of spirituality, sanctity and devotion. It is home to the world’s oldest religion – Hinduism.No other religion in the world can boast about such diversity, magnanimous architecture, sundry & vibrant traditions and an unparalleled faith mingled with it. From Kashmir to Kanyakumari, from Kutch toSunderbans – the variegated lands of India are full of structures, shrines and temples dedicated to Hinduism.“If there is one place on the face of earth where all the dreams of living men have found a home from the very earliest days when man began the dream of existence, it is India.”- Romain Rolland (French Novelist)
We take you through a trip of ten such wonders, where you must pay a visit at least once in your lifetime.10. Jagannath Temple
The Jagannath temple in Puri (Odisha) was built-in 12th century by King Anantvarman. The whole temple complex is surrounded in an area over four lakh square feet. The main temple is of Lord Vishnurising to over 200 feet high.Jagannath Temple is a fine example of ancient Kalinga architecture. Granite carvings of Shiva in Nataraja form are the sights no visitor should miss. Every year a massive chariot festival is conducted in the city of Puri known as the Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath. Three massive chariots dedicated to Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra are pulled by thousands of people gathered in the festival.(Image Source – Patrik M. Loeff via Flickr)
9. Tirumala Venkateshwara Temple
Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, Tirumala Venkateshwara Temple is located in Tirumala in Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh. Also known as the Tirupati Balaji, this temple holds the record for the most visited place of worship in the world.Exact timeline of construction of the temple is unknown but archaeologists estimate the dates to be around 300 B.C.An annual lunar festival of Brahmotsavam is held at the temple near the end of every September and is celebrated for nine days.(Image Source – Chandrashekhar Basumatary via Flickr)
8. Rameshwaram Temple
Rameshwaram or the Ramanathaswamy temple is situated on the island of Rameshwaram in Tamil Nadu. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva.According to Ramayana, Lord Rama had worshipped Lord Shiva at this place after killing Ravana. As Ravana was a Brahmin, killing a Brahmin is considered as a sin in Hinduism. So, Lord Rama sought an apology from Lord Shiva for his sin by praying here.Interestingly, there are two shivalingams inside the temple. One made by Goddess Sita and another brought by Lord Hanuman from the Kailash mountain in the Himalayas.(Image Source – Vinayaraj via Wikimedia Commons)
7. Somnath Temple
Somnath temple is located in the Prabhas Khetra in Saurashtra region, Gujarat. It’s one of the twelve Jyotirlinga shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva.The word Somnath means protector of the Moon i.e. Lord Shiva. The temple has been destroyed many times by Islamic raiders and rulers. It has been looted and demolished but reconstructed every time.The current day temple has been based on the Chalukyan architecture. Sanctum Sanctorum inside the temple has been gold-plated.(Image Source – Shahakshay58 via Wikimedia Commons)
6. Padmanabhaswamy Temple
Padmanabhaswamy temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu is situated in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. Historians believe that the temple was constructed way back in the 500 B.C.Popularly known as the world’s richest temple after the treasure of the temple was estimated to be worth Rs. 1,00,000 crores in 2011.The idol of Lord Vishnu is in the posture of eternal sleep and resting on the serpent Ananta.(Image Source – Manu Jha via Wikimedia Commons)
5. Temples of Kanchipuram
Known as the city of thousand temples. Kanchipuram is a city in Tamil Nadu famous for its temples. It was also the capital of Pallavas which ruled over South India in the Medieval period. Kanchipuram is one of the most sacred places in Hinduism. And one of the seven exclusive places in the world, where one can attain Moksha. The most famous Kanchipuram temples are -
- Ekambarnathar Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva.
- Varadharaja Perumal Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu.
- Kamakshi Amman Temple dedicated to Kamakshi (form of Goddess Parvati).
- Kanchi Kailasanathar Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva.
(Image Source – Subramaniam via Wikimedia Commons)
4. Khajuraho Temples
The Khajuraho temples are located in Chhatarpur district of Madhya Pradesh. These temples are part of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India. The temples are work of art and one of the most difficult structures of ancient engineering present in the world. The temple structures are made up of sandstone and granite. The superior work of the artisans stand noticed even today. Though, most of the Khajuraho temples are destroyed due to lack of proper maintenance and awareness. There were a total of eighty five temples in the complex but only twenty survive today. Nevertheless, they stand witness to the excellence of artisans in the ancient India.Out of all the Khajuraho’s temples and structures, Lakshmana temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu is the most famous.(Image Source – Paul Mannix via Wikimedia Commons)
3. Shri Siddhivinayak Temple
Shri Siddhivinayak Temple is dedicated to Lord Ganpati (Ganesha). It is situated in Mumbai, Maharashtra. The temple was built-in 1801. Initially a very small structure, it was expanded in time and now it is one of the richest temples in India. People from all over the world visit this temple to get Lord Ganesha’s blessings.The temple is six storey tall and constructed of pink granite and marble. The doors are made of wood with engravings of Lord Ganesha. The roof of the sanctum sanctorum is gold-plated.(Image Source – Darwininan via Wikimedia Commons)
2. Meenakshi Temple
One of the most colorfully decorated temples of India, Meenakshi temple is situated in Madurai in Tamil Nadu. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Parvati(Meenakshi) and Lord Shiva (Sundareswarar). The main structure was said to be built-in the 12th century. The temple consists of the fourteen towers which are an average forty five meters tall. Each tower is beautifully decorated with colorful sculptures of various gods, animals and other characters.The temple attracts ten to fifteen thousand visitors everyday and is also considered in one of the richest temples of India.(Image Source – Jorgeroyan via Wikimedia Commons)
1. Konark Sun Temple
One of the most intriguing structures of Indian architecture in India and often cited as the greatest work of Indian artistry, Konark Sun Temple has a massive stature and repute in the eyes of patrons around the world. Also known as the Black Pagoda, the temple was built-in the 13th century.The temple is situated in Konark, Odisha. It is dedicated to the Sun God and is in the shape of a massive chariot. Built in Kalinga style of architecture, it is a pure example of brilliant rock-cut artistry.The original sanctum sanctorum, which was approximately seventy meters tall collapsed two centuries ago, only the smaller structures and main dance hall has survived until today.(Image Source – Tetraktys via Wikimedia Commons)
20, ఏప్రిల్ 2016, బుధవారం
Great hindu temples
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