Of the enormous number of practices and values that string India together, there is one such quality that draws an obvious conclusion to a more profound significance of life, spirituality. This straightforward viewpoint has the greatest effect on India’s people, such that it has become a significant portion of their lives. It appears to be true, isn’t that so? I think the equivalent. At whatever point you visit any part of India, you would discover temples specked on its territory. These religious places of India are not only a way to make a plunge in spirituality yet an approach to interface with the Almighty.
1. Badrinath Temple
Located near the Alaknanda River, the house Lord Badrinath is situated in the Chamoli region, a small town of Badrinath (Uttarakhand). This blessed place of worship of Lord Vishnu makes a portion of the four holiest destinations (Char Dhams) in the Hindu religion. It is additionally one of the four Chota Char Dham journey destinations.
The antiquated residence of Lord Vishnu can be visited between April to November as in the remainder of the months the climate is unreasonably brutal for undertaking a journey.
2. The Konark Sun Temple
The Sun temple is located in the town of Konark, which is located in the Puri area of Odisha. This wonder of design is dedicated to Lord Sun. What’s more, looking like his carriage, the temple has been constructed like a chariot, which has twelve wheels that appeared as being hauled by the seven horses.
The temple is accepted to be developed in the thirteenth century by a ruler called Narasimhadeva. This temple also has associations with a couple of legends. According to one of the legends, God Krishna reviled, one of his own children with leprosy. To look for retribution, Samba worshiped Lord Sun (Surya) for a time of twelve years. Satisfied with his dedication, Surya healed him. Samba made the Sun temple consequently to offer his thanks.
3. Brihadeeswara Temple
Also famous with the names, Peruvudaiyar Kovil and RajaRajeswaram, this eleventh-century temple was constructed by the Chola ruler Raja Chola I. Devoted to Lord Shiva; Brihadeeswara temple is the biggest temple in India that is located at Thanjavur city of Tamil Nadu.
Cholas are familiar with their superb and impressive size of structures. The extravagance and creative capability of Cholas is very much displayed in the excellent and glorious architecture of the temple. Made altogether of granite stone, it was made according to the standards of Vaastu Shastras and Agamas.
4. Somnath Temple
Som alludes to the ‘Moon God’, accordingly Somnath signifies ‘Protector of the Moon God’. As indicated by a legend, Som got the temple made in the respect of Lord Shiva as it was Shiva who relieved the sickness, which was exacted on him because of his father-in-law’s revile.
It is one of the most respected ‘jyotirlingas’ among the 12 existing jyotirlingas of India. The temple is situated in Prabhas Kshetra in Saurashtra (Gujarat). Prabhas Kshetra is additionally the area where, it is accepted that, Lord Krishna left his human body.
5. Kedarnath Temple
Located in the Himalayan range of the Garhwal region (Uttarakhand), Kedarnath temple is one of the most sacrosanct Shiva temples on the planet. This blessed house of Shiva is said to be made by the Pandavas to make up for their wrongdoings submitted during their fight with Kauravs. The temple was re-established by Adi Sankaracharya in the eighth century. It is one of the Chota Char Dhams of Uttarakhand and needs a pioneer to walk a separation of 14 km over the hilly area.
Encompassed by the ice sheets and snow-secured peaks and standing at a stature of 3,583 m, the temple is shut during winters because of serious cold conditions. Indeed, even the icon of Lord Shiva is moved to Ukhimath and adored there all through the 5/6 months for which the severe conditions prevail.
6. Sanchi Stupa
Sanchi is a town in the Raisen area of Madhya Pradesh, which is home to some Buddhist structures made in the middle of the third century BC to twelfth century AD. The most noteworthy of all is the Sanchi Stupa, otherwise called the Great Stupa. A Stupa is a blessed spot of Buddhist, which is made looking like a dome that comprises of relics of Buddha.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site – This acclaimed pilgrimage site in India was made by the incredible emperor Asoka in the third century BC. There are four unpredictably structured passages encompassing the Stupa known as Toranas, each exclusively symbolizing the four feelings of affection, harmony, trust, and courage.
7. Rameshwaram Temple
Rameshwaram or Rameswaram is a little island town in Tamil Nadu and is one of the four holiest pilgrimage places (Char Dhams) of the Hindus.
The purpose behind its being so sacred is the conviction that Lord Rama alongside his other half Sita previously arrived on its shore in the wake of vanquishing the evil spirit Ravan (a Brahmin). To look for penance for killing a Brahmin, Rama needed to pray to Shiva. Hanuman was sent off to Kailash to bring an icon of God. Meanwhile, Sita made a little lingam. The one built by Sita is known as Ramalingam and one brought by Hanuman is known as Vishwalingam.
8. Vaishno Devi Mandir
After a trek of around 12 km from Katra (base camp), one arrives at the sacred cave, which is the dwelling place of Maa (mother) Vaishno Devi and is situated at a height of 5200 ft. in a mountain known as Trikuta. It is located in Jammu and Kashmir, close Katra town.
Vaishno Devi is present here as 3rock heads called the Pindies, rather than a statue. Because of the solid confidence of the individuals, consistently a large number of them come to take the blessings of Maa Vaishno Devi. It is said that it is Maa Vaishno who chooses her visitors. It is she who calls her devotees to her doorsteps. Anybody making a fruitful voyage to her hallowed place is there as a result of her desire. The place of worship is open lasting throughout the year.
9. Siddhivinayak Temple
Situated in Prabha Devi, Mumbai, Siddhivinayak Temple was constructed in the eighteenth century. Siddhivinayak or Lord Ganesha is the major god of the temple and is acclaimed for being the first to be venerated before starting any new work or task. That is the reason he is otherwise called Vighnaharta (the eliminator of hindrances).
On the wooden entryways of the holy place, eight impressions of Lord Ganapati (Ashtavinayak) are carved. Siddhivinayak temple comprises of one of the eight pictures of the God. Other particular pictures are spread more than seven temples arranged in Maharashtra. The temple is visited by the devotees all days of the year however Tuesday is the day when the most extreme number of individuals come to pray the Lord for good karma.
10. Gangotri Temple
The sacred starting point of Ganga Maa (mother) is adored at the Gangotri temple, which is located in the Uttarkashi town of Uttarakhand. An in part submerged Shivaling lying along the temple in the waters of Bhagirathi implies where God Shiva entangled Ganga in his hair. Constructed in the eighteenth century the temple is built using the white granite.
11. Golden Temple
Sri Harmandir Sahib or Golden Temple is the most devout place of pilgrimage for Sikhism. The temple was made on the values of general fraternity and uniformity. The four entryways, opening in the four conspicuous ways, straightforwardly welcome individuals from any faith or race to look for spiritual and religious happiness. The structure loved for its amazing architecture, is based on a level lower than that of the prompt environment, symbolizing the value of humility.
12. Kashi Vishwanath Temple
Situated in the antiquated and sacred city of life and demise Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh), Kashi Vishwanath sanctuary is devoted to Lord Shiva, likewise alluded to as Vishwanath or Vishweshwara, which means emperor of the universe.
The recognized temple has been visited by numerous incredible blessed men like Swami Vivekanand, Adi Shankaracharya, Goswami Tulsidas, and Gurunanak. The endowments got from sighting jyotirlinga at Kashi Vishwanath is equivalent to that earned from visiting the remainder of the 11 jyotirlingas set at a few zones in India. A visit to the sacred temple of Shiva is accepted to be one of the ways through which one can accomplish Moksha (extreme freedom of the soul).
13. Lord Jagannath Temple
Constructed in the twelfth century, Jagannath temple is located in Puri (Orissa) and is prevalently called Jagannath Puri. Devoted to Lord Krishna, the temple is one of the four holiest spots (Char Dhams) of India. Inside the main temple, with the icon of Lord Krishna (Jagannath) in the middle of, the idols of Lord Balabhadra (brother) and Goddess Subhadra (sister) are set.
Non-Hindus are not allowed to enter the temple. They can get a decent point of view on this wonderful haven from the housetop of the Raghunandan Library found just back to the temple.
14. Yamunotri Temple
Yamunotri sanctuary was constructed in the nineteenth century in the Uttarkashi area of Uttarakhand and was harmed and remade twice because of the harms caused by natural events. Committed to Yamuna River, which is the second holiest waterway of India, the temple likewise frames the portion of the four Chota Char Dham destinations.
15. Meenakshi Temple
A dip in the Golden Lotus tank, located in the temple, is viewed as favorable and is normally taken before visiting the principle hallowed place of the God and Goddess. According to a legend, the lake was made by Shiva and is significantly more established than the temple.
16. Amarnath Cave Temple
The blessed cave of Amarnath is situated at a height of 3,888 meters in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. Inundated with ice-clad mountains, the cave is additionally secured with layers of snow on most occasions of the year. In the mid-year season, (June to August) it gets available and subsequently opens up to get the pilgrims.
The cave is accepted to be around 5000 years of age.
17. Lingaraja Temple
Lingaraja Temple is one of the most established and biggest temples of the ‘Temple City of India’ – Odisha.
The idol of Lingaraj, as a rule, speaks to Lord Shiva, yet here it symbolizes Shiva and Vishnu. The consolidated type of both the Gods is alluded to as Harihara. An enormous lake called Bindu Sagar contacts the temple from one side and is said to have recuperating powers. Non-Hindus are not permitted to enter the premises; subsequently, they can see the wonderful structure from a stage outside the temple. Shivratri is the major festival of the temple.
18. Tirupati Balaji
Situated in the hilly town of Tirumala (Andhra Pradesh), the temple is also called as Tirumala Venkateswara. It is committed to Lord Venkateshwara, who is prominently called ‘Balaji’ and is the manifestation of Lord Vishnu. Venkateshwara Tirupati Balaji is the second most extravagant site with individuals offering cash and gold to their Lord running into millions, every day.
19. Kanchipuram Temples
The City of Thousand Temples – Kanchipuram (Tamil Nadu) is one of the seven consecrated places in India wherein the individuals can attain Moksha, according to the Hindu religion. Among the most respected temples of Kanchi, 3 significant ones are referenced underneath:
- Kamakshi Amman Temple: Goddess Kamakshi is one of the indications of Parvati and not at all like the standing stances wherein we, as a rule, discover her godlike idols, the captivating idol at Kamakshi temple is sitting in Padmasana.
- Ekambareswarar Temple: This holy place of Lord Shiva is likewise the biggest among every one of the temples of Kanchipuram. The primary lingam of the Ekambareswarar temple is made of sand and is said to be made by the Goddess Parvati.
- Varadaraja Perumal Temple: It is one of the 108 temples of Vishnu. This temple alongside the temples of Kamakshi and Ekambareswarar are all things considered called Mumurtivasam (home of the trio).
20. Khajuraho Temple
Khajuraho is a town in the province of Madhya Pradesh, which houses a few temples made between the tenth to twelfth centuries. Spread over a region of 20 square km, the landmarks of the town are perceived as UNESCO World Heritage Site. The temples are constructed of sandstone and devoted to the divinities of Hindus and Jains.
For understanding India in its different tints one can begin from its temples. Mahatma Gandhi said that the substance of all religions is one; just their methodologies are extraordinary. Moreover, from the various temples of India, one can understand the quintessence of the mysterious place that is known for India.