India, one of the world’s oldest civilizations, is a country with a rich history, a great number of religious traditions, and many myths and stories. India takes pleasure in the fact that it gave birth to the religious and cultural traditions of Sikhism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Hinduism. In India, individuals of all religious backgrounds coexist peacefully and in the fraternity. The oldest religion in the world is thought to be Hinduism. Hinduism, in contrast to other religions, is a synthesis of various religions rather than having a founder. Religion is described as a traditional way of life in numerous ancient writings and by experts; it has no clear beginning or end. We have covered some of the most famous temples in India, which have played a significant role in both local and global history for many centuries.
The Hindus call the celestial residence of the Almighty on Earth “Mandir.” Magnificent temples may be found almost everywhere in the nation. Every temple has a special myth and history associated with it. In the past, Indian kings would pay sculptors and artists to produce magnificent works of art for temples built during their dominion.
Here is the list of Famous Temples (Mandir) in India
1. Vaishno Devi Temple, Jammu
One of the most famous and distinctive temples in India, it is located in Katra town in the Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir. To get to the temple at the peak, which is located at a height of 5,300 feet, one must go for roughly 12 km. The journey is tough and long, but those who are unable to walk so far can travel to the shrine by horseback, palanquin, or even helicopter. The temple is actually inside of a cave, and instead of statues, you’ll find three rock heads here known as pindies. Every year, the Vaishno Devi shrine receives millions of visitors. The temple is accessible all year long.
How to Reach Vaishno Devi Temple:
BY AIR
The closest airport is in Jammu, which is 50 kilometers from Katra. Flights from Jammu to many cities, including Delhi, Srinagar, and Leh, are frequent. Jammu to Katra taxi services is available. The Delhi airport serves international travelers’ connecting flights.
IN A TRAIN
The closest railway station is in Jammu. All of India’s main cities have good connections to Jammu.
VIA ROAD
State-operated buses run frequently between Jammu and Katra. There are also private, luxurious transport services available. State-run buses depart from Jammu for Katra every fifteen minutes.
2. Kedarnath Temple, Uttarakhand
One of the holiest temples in India is the Kedarnath temple, which is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is situated in the Himalayan mountains in Uttarakhand’s Garhwal district. One of the oldest temples in the nation, it is thought that the Pandavas constructed this temple. The 14 km hike to the temple atop the hill is strenuous. Since the area experiences extremely harsh winters, the temple is only open from April to November. The deity is brought to Ukhimath to be worshipped during those months when the temple is closed. The Kedarnath temple, which is still one of India’s major pilgrimage sites, stayed unharmed when the entire area was devastated by floods.
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3. Golden Temple, Punjab
Although it is frequently referred to as the “Golden Temple,” the Sikh gurudwara in Amritsar, Punjab, is properly named the Harmandir Sahib or even Darbar Sahib. Because the temple’s walls and dome are clad in gold, it is referred to as the “Golden Temple” both literally and figuratively. It is one of the earliest temples in India and was constructed by Guru Arjan, the fifth guru of the Sikhs. In the temple is the Guru Granth Sahib by Guru Nanak. The Golden Temple’s welcoming attitude toward people from all backgrounds is one of its many distinctive qualities. There is no restriction to anyone. People from all faiths visit the temple and pay their respects.
How to Reach Golden Temple:
BY AIR
The Sri Guru Ram Das Jee International Airport in Amritsar, which is about 11 kilometers from the city center, offers more than 160 domestic and international flights each day. Daily direct flights are available from and to Kuala Lumpur, Doha, London, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chandigarh, and Chandigarh.
IN A TRAIN
Nearly all major Indian cities, including Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Agra, Ahmedabad, Kolkata, and Chandigarh, are connected to the city of Amritsar via the railway station.
VIA ROAD
Due to its location on National Highway 1, Amritsar has excellent access to the road system. There are daily bus services to and from Ambala, Patiala, Delhi, Chandigarh, and Jammu, both public and private.
4. Dwarkadhish Temple, Gujarat
The Dwarkadhish temple, one of the Char Dham temples, is a revered site for Hindu pilgrimage. It is estimated that the temple is older than 2500 years. The temple, which is devoted to Lord Krishna, has five levels and is supported by 72 pillars, which is an astounding feature of the building. The temple is adjacent to Gomti Creek. Swarg Dwar, which means “the door to heaven,” is the entrance, while Moksh Dwar, which means “the door to liberty,” is the exit. The entrance door is reached after 56 stairs. The deity’s idol is exquisitely designed and made of black marble.
The idol stands 2.25 feet tall. It is one of the most well-known Krishna temples in India and unquestionably worth a visit for anybody interested in spirituality, not just diehard followers. In the morning and evening, the temple is open, however, it is closed at midday.
How to Reach Dwarkadhish Temple
Jamnagar Airport, located 137 kilometers from Dwarka City, is the closest airport. There are trains that run between Dwarka and all of the main cities from its own railway station (Jamnagar, Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Surat, Mumbai, Goa, etc.) Likewise, there are excellent road connections to Dwarka.
5. Tirupati Balaji Temple, Andhra Pradesh
Tirumala Venkateswara temple of Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, is the official name of the temple. The temple receives at least one lakh, daily visitors, if not more. It is devoted to Lord Venkateshwara, a manifestation of Lord Vishnu also known as Lord Balaji, and is situated in the Tirumala hills. One of the most well-known festivals of the temple is the “Brahmotsavam” festival, which is held in September and is visited by millions of devotees from all over the world. Many devotees, both male, and female get their heads tonsured as a sacrifice to the Lord because it is customary in this place to offer one’s own hair. Laddoos, a sweet, are also well-known as prasadam, or temple offerings.
How to Reach Tirupati Balaji Temple:
BY AIR
The Tirupati Airport is the nearest airport. The 15 km away Renigunta location of the Tirupati airport. Regular flights are offered to Tirupati from Chennai, Hyderabad, and Bengaluru.
IN A TRAIN
All significant cities are connected to Tirupati. Rail travel between Chennai and Bengaluru takes only five hours.
VIA ROAD
All significant cities are connected to Tirupati. Rail travel between Chennai and Bengaluru takes only five hours.
6. Somnath Temple, Gujarat
As one of the 12 Jyotirlingas, the Somnath temple is a famous temple in India. It is one of the oldest temples in the nation and is located in Saurashtra, Gujarat. Ancient Hindu literature mentions the Somnath temple. Due to the fact that it was repeatedly rebuilt after being damaged during attacks at various points in time, it is also known as the “Shrine Eternal.”
7. Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Uttar Pradesh
The Kashi Vishwanath Temple is unquestionably one of India’s most revered and historic temples. It is a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and is situated in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, in the city of Kashi. Given that it is one of the nation’s 12 Jyotirlingas, it holds great significance for Hindus. It is thought that followers who take a bath in the Ganges, then go to the temple and pray to receive Moksha or salvation. The enormous Shivalinga at the temple is around 60 cm tall and 90 cm wide.
8. The Konark Sun Temple, Odisha
The Konark Sun Temple is one of the few temples in the world that is devoted to Lord Sun, making it special in many respects. Due to its exquisite architecture, it is known as a major tourist destination. It is constructed in the form of a chariot, complete with enormous wheels that are exquisitely etched. It is one of the oldest temples in India and is situated in the Puri district of Odisha. It is thought to have been constructed around 1250 AD. The fact that the temple’s entrance receives the sun’s first rays is another distinctive aspect of the way it was constructed. The distinctive sculptures in the temple are another draw. The UNESCO World Heritage List includes the Konark Sun Temple as well.
How to Reach Konark Sun Temple:
BY AIR
The distance from the Biju Patnaik International Airport, also known as Bhubaneswar Airport, to the Konark Sun Temple is 65 kilometers, or around an hour’s drive. It is simple to find cabs for hire to get to Konark from the airport.
IN A TRAIN
The closest train station to the Konark Temple is Puri Railway Station. Konark is 30 kilometers away. You can reserve trains from Bhubaneswar to Puri and then take a taxi to the temple.
VIA ROAD
The Sun Temple is 6 minutes away by bus from Konark Bus Stand. From Puri, you can take a bus for an hour to get to Konark. Bus service from Puri to Konark is offered by OSRTC and independent companies.
9. Ramanathaswamy Or Rameswaram Temple, Tamil Nadu
One of the sacred Char Dham temples is the Ramanathaswamy Temple, which is situated in Rameshwaram, a little island in Tamil Nadu. It is revered because it is thought that Lord Rama and Sita arrived here first after vanquishing Ravana, who had kidnapped Sita. The Ramalingam and the Vishwalingam are the two Shiva Lingams present here. The Ramalingam was created by Sita, and Lord Hanuman transported the other lingam to this location. It boasts the longest corridor and magnificent architecture. Since it is also one of the nation’s 12 Jyotirlingas, the temple has a unique significance and receives thousands of pilgrims each day.
Rameshwaram is easily accessible from anywhere in India because of the Rameshwaram railway station, which links all of the country’s major cities.
10. Ram Mandir ( Ayodhya Temple ), Uttar Pradesh
Lord Vishnu was born in the Ram Temple as Lord Ram of the seventh Avatar. The location is in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh’s Ayodhya city. On the site of Lord Ram’s birth, there is a temple.
There are reportedly 6000 temples in the city of Ayodhya, while it is thought that the shrines located in the Ram Janmabhoomi campus of Ramkot are the most revered.
How to Reach Ram Mandir:
BY AIR
The distance between Lucknow and the airport is 150 kilometers. Regular flights connect the airport with Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru, Jaipur, and Mumbai.
IN A TRAIN
North India’s Ayodhya railway station is a significant intersection. It has good access to Gorakhpur, Delhi, Lucknow, Kanpur, Varanasi, and Gonda.
VIA ROAD
Ayodhya and the other cities do not have a direct link. However, from Ayodhya, one can take buses to the closest bus terminal. Varanasi is approximately 636 miles from Delhi, 130 km from Lucknow, 200 km from Varanasi, 160 km from Allahabad, and 140 km from Gorakhpur.
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