India's Top 10 Hindu Temples, Popular 10 Temples in India :
1:Kamakhya Temple:
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Kamakhya Temple |
Location: Guwahati, Assam
This temple is famous for Goddess Kamakhya and is one of the oldest of the 51 Shakti Pithas. It is the most important pilgrimage for the Aghoris, Sadhus, and Tantric Worshippers. Every day thousands of devotees come to this temple to get the blessings of goddess Kamakhya.
2:Puri Jagannath Temple:
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Puri Jagannath Temple |
Location: Puri, Odisha
This temple is devoted to Lord Krishna. Lord Jagannath Temple is one of the oldest temples in India and considered one of the parts of Char Dham. It was built in the 12th century. There is a belief among the devotees that 'Mahaprasad' served here is reviewed by Goddess Lakshmi and those who have it will experience spiritual advancement. Here we can see the idols of Lord Krishna, Lord Balabhadra(brother), and Goddess Subhadra (sister). The main festival celebrated here is the Rath Yatra. On this Rath Yatra, all the idols are taken on a ride on temple chariots that enthralls millions of pilgrims and tourists from all over the country and the world.
3:Shirdi Sai Baba Temple:
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Shirdi Sai Baba Temple |
Location: Shirdi, Maharashtra
It is the holy temple of Sai Baba and also the third richest temple of India. Shirdi. The whole religious town Shirdi is identified through Sai Baba. “Sai Baba”, the saint who is known and admired for his miracles and teaching give importance to “Shraddha” means trust and “Saburi” means tender feeling. therefore, it is considered to be a pilgrimage for his followers. Millions of devotees, irrespective of their religion, flock to the temple every year.
4:Somnath and Dwarka Temple:
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Somnath and Dwarka Temple |
Location: Dwarka, Gujarat
Two splendid seashore temples “Dwarka” and “Somnath” are really amazing. A part of the Char Dham“Dwarkadhish Temple” is devoted to Lord Krishna.
There are some features that attract devotees such as a flag fixed on top of the temple shows both the sun and the moon (this flag is changed five times a day).
Last but not least the neatness of the temple and its surroundings has won it a nomination in the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites.
On the other hand, just 230 km from Dwarka Temple “Somnath Temple” is devoted to Lord Shiva. One of the most preferred jyotirlingas between the 12 existing jyotirlingas of India. Many interesting legends are connected with this temple, it’s believed that Som assigns to the ‘Moon God’, thus Somnath means ‘Protector of the Moon God’.
Another interesting legend about the temple is that Some made the temple in the respect of Lord Shiva as it was the god Shiva only who cured his illness (his father-in-law’s curse).
5:Vaishno Devi Temple:
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Vaishno Devi Temple |
Location: Katra, Jammu, and Kashmir
This temple is situated in a mountain known as Trikuta. This is one of the notable Hindu Temples in India. It is dedicated to 'Shakti' and is the second most visited temple in India. One of the 51 Shakti Peethas, Vaishno Devi temple has three rock heads, known as Pindies, rather than of a statue. It’s believed that Maa Vaishno Devi decides and calls her pilgrims to her doorsteps.
The main festival celebrated here is Navratri.
6:Siddhivinayak Temple:
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Siddhivinayak Temple |
Location: Mumbai, Maharashtra
This temple was built in the year 1801. Siddhivinayak temple in Mumbai is a prominent temple of Lord Ganesha. The inner roof of the temple complex is plated with gold and the wooden doors are carved with the images of Ashtavinayaka.
7:Golden Temple:
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Golden Temple |
Location: Amritsar, Punjab
A Pilgrimage tour to the Indian temple is incomplete without visiting “Golden Temple”. Sri Harmandir Sahib also called Darbar Sahib or Golden temple is the most religious place for Sikhs. Its four doors open in four main directions welcome all religious people.
In spite of these, the temple’s architecture encircled picturesque Sarovar and the divine lake that is believed, to reside Amrit or holy water, adds to the fame of the temple building.
The main festival celebrated here are Guru Nanak Jayanti and Baisakhi.
8:Kashi Vishwanath Temple:
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Kashi Vishwanath Temple |
Location: Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
One of the 12 Jyotirlinga of Lord Shiva “Kashi Vishwanath Temple” is devoted to Lord Shiva. It is believed that by coming Kashi Vishwanath temple and taking a dip in the divine water of Ganga River, devotees will free from all the sins and get moksha (salvation).
The main festival celebrated here is Mahashivratri.
9:Ramanathaswamy Temple:
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Ramanathaswamy Temple |
Location: Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu
This temple is one of the most popular temples in the south of India. Ramnathaswamy temple is the home of 'Lord Shiva'. It is also among the twelve jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva in the country. There are two lingas inside the sanctum; one built by Goddess Sita and the other was brought by Lord Hanuman.
10:Tirumala Venkateswara Temple:
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Tirumala Venkateswara Temple |
Location: Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh
One of the most visited temples in India“Tirumala Venkateswara Temple” is devoted to Lord 'Venkateswara' who is an epitome of Lord Vishnu. This temple is popular not only for its religious belief but also for its Dravidian architecture and inscriptions of allure devotees. The temple wall carry’s many inscriptions and the mark of various empires like the Pallavas, Cholas, Pandyas, and Yadavarayas among the rest of the leading empires of those times.
The main festivals celebrated here are Vaikuntha Ekadasi, Ramanavami, Janmashtami, Rathasaptami, and Vasanthotsavam.
The ‘Brahmotsavam’ is the most important festival held every year in this temple.
Final Words:
After reading about a few of the max popular temples of India you will become the witness of glorious sculpture, architectural style, traditions, festivals, rituals, and customs of different regions of India. Since there are innumerable temples in India, this list is subjected to differ from person to person. This is not the exclusive list. There are a lot of other interesting temples that will be discussed in the upcoming posts. For suggestions about the list, please leave your comments below.
Thank You.