Famous Temples in India, State Wise List, Important Details

India is known for the world’s oldest civilizations and a land rich in history, diverse traditions, and deep-rooted religious beliefs. As the birthplace of major religions like Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism, and Sikhism, India is known for its cultural heritage and religious harmony. The country embraces a secular position in the world, where people of various faiths coexist in unity.

Famous Temples in India

Famous Temples in India serve as more than just places of worship, they are architectural and historical landmarks that reflect the country’s rich heritage. Since different historical eras, these temples provide insights into religious traditions, societal values, and artistic styles, depicting the evolution of faith and craftsmanship over centuries.

List of Famous Temples in India

Below is a List of Famous Temples in India, showcasing their historical and spiritual significance. These temples, spread across various states, were built during different eras by ancient dynasties, rulers, and devotees, reflecting the rich cultural and architectural heritage of India. The following table provides details about these renowned temples, including their location.

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Top Famous Temples in India

India, known as the “Land of Temples,” is home to some of the most sacred temples in the world. These Famous Temples in India are not just places of worship but also hold historical significance reflecting India’s rich heritage.

Khajuraho Temple, Madhya Pradesh

• Built between the 9th and 12th centuries by the Chandela dynasty.
• Famous for erotic sculptures and intricate carvings, depicting human emotions and celestial beings.
• Originally, 85 temples existed, but only 25 remain today, classified into Hindu and Jain temples.
• Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Siddhivinayak Temple, Maharashtra

• Dedicated to Lord Ganesha, Siddhivinayak Temple was built in 1801 by Laxman Vithu and Dubai Patil.
• One of the richest Temples in India, receiving donations from Bollywood celebrities and business tycoons.
• The idol of Lord Ganesha is self-manifested (Swayambhu).

Lord Venkateswara Temple, Andhra Pradesh

• Lord Venkateswara Temple is located in Tirumala Hills, also called Tirupati Balaji Temple.
• One of the most visited pilgrimage sites in the world, attracting 50,000+ devotees daily.
• Features Dravidian architecture with intricately carved gopurams (tower gateways).
• The temple receives donations worth millions daily.

Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Uttar Pradesh

• Kashi Vishwanath Temple is located in Varanasi and is dedicated to Lord Shiva.
• One of the 12 Jyotirlingas, considered the most sacred Shiva shrines.
• Originally built in ancient times, rebuilt in 1780 by Ahilyabai Holkar after being destroyed multiple times.
• A golden dome donated by Maharaja Ranjit Singh covers the temple’s sanctum.

Mahabodhi Temple, Bihar

• A UNESCO World Heritage Site, marking the spot where Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment.
• One of the oldest brick structures in the world, built in the 3rd century BCE by Emperor Ashoka.
• Mahabodhi Temple features a 50-meter-tall tower and a sacred Bodhi tree under which Buddha meditated.

Konark Sun Temple, Odisha

• Konark Sun Temple was built in the 13th century by King Narasimhadeva I.
• Shaped like a gigantic chariot of Lord Surya (Sun God), featuring 12 wheels and 7 horses.
• Known for its Kalinga-style architecture and detailed stone carvings.

Jagannath Temple, Odisha

• Jagannath Temple is located in Puri, one of the Char Dham pilgrimage sites.
• Famous for the Rath Yatra (Chariot Festival), where massive chariots carry deities namely Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra.
• The idols of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra are made of wood and replaced every 12 years.

Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Kerala

• One of the wealthiest temples in the world, holding a treasure worth over $22 billion.
• Built in the Dravidian and Chera architectural style.
• The main deity, Lord Padmanabhaswamy, is depicted in a reclining position on the serpent Ananta.

Vaishno Devi Temple, Jammu & Kashmir

• A cave temple, situated at an altitude of 5200 feet in the Trikuta Hills.
• Dedicated to Mata Vaishno Devi, an embodiment of Goddess Durga.
• Devotees undertake a 13 km trek to reach the Vaishno Devi Temple.

Amarnath Temple, Jammu & Kashmir

• Amarnath Temple is located at 3,888 meters above sea level, dedicated to Lord Shiva.
• Home to the naturally occurring ice Shiva Lingam, which grows and shrinks according to the lunar cycle.
• Amarnath Temple trek is open only during July-August which requires a challenging pilgrimage trek.

Ramanathaswamy Temple, Tamil Nadu

• Ramanathaswamy Temple is one of the 12 Jyotirlinga shrines which features the longest corridor among Hindu temples, stretching 1,200 meters.

Brihadeeswara Temple, Tamil Nadu

• Brihadeeswara Temple was built in 1010 AD by Raja Raja Chola I which was made entirely of granite, featuring a 216-feet-tall vimana (tower).
• It is also recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Meenakshi Temple, Tamil Nadu

• Meenakshi Temple is dedicated to Goddess Meenakshi (Parvati) and Lord Sundareswarar (Shiva), featuring 985 intricately carved pillars in the Hall of Thousand Pillars.

Ranganathaswamy Temple, Tamil Nadu

• Ranganathaswamy Temple is one of the largest functioning Hindu temples, covering 156 acres and serving as a home to Asia’s largest Gopuram (temple tower).

Somnath Temple, Gujarat

• Somnath Temple is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas which was rebuilt multiple times due to invasions, last restored by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in 1951.

Dwarkadhish Temple, Gujarat

• Dwarkadhish Temple is located in Dwarka, one of the Char Dham pilgrimage sites which is dedicated to Lord Krishna, featuring five-storied architecture.

Virupaksha Temple, Karnataka

• The Virupaksha Temple is located in Hampi, Karnataka, is one of the oldest and most significant Hindu temples in India. 
• Dedicated to Lord Shiva, it is a part of the Group of Monuments at Hampi, which has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 
• The temple was originally built in the 7th century, but it gained prominence under the Vijayanagara Empire, especially during the reign of Deva Raya II, when Lakkana Dandesha, a chieftain, after expansion.

Gomateshwara Temple, Karnataka

• The Gomateshwara Temple, also known as the Bahubali Temple, is a renowned Jain pilgrimage site located in Shravanabelagola, Karnataka. 
• The temple is most famous for its 57-foot-tall monolithic statue of Lord Bahubali (Gomateshwara), which is considered one of the largest free-standing statues in the world. 
• The Bahubali statue represents the profound meditation of Lord Bahubali, the son of the first Jain Tirthankara, Rishabhanatha (Adinatha).

Badrinath Temple, Uttarakhand

• The Badrinath Temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, situated on the banks of the Alaknanda River at an altitude of 3,133 meters
• It is one of the Char Dham pilgrimage sites in India. 
• The temple, believed to have been established by Adi Shankaracharya in the 8th century.
• The idol of Badrinarayan, made of black stone, is worshipped in a meditative posture.
• Open only for six months due to heavy winters, it attracts millions of devotees seeking moksha (liberation). 
• The temple is deeply linked to Hindu mythology, including Vishnu’s meditation, Goddess Lakshmi’s Badri tree, and the Pandavas’ journey to heaven.

Yamunotri Temple, Uttarakhand

• The Yamunotri Temple located in Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand, is dedicated to Goddess Yamuna. 
• Situated at an altitude of 3,291 meters in the Bandarpunch mountain range, it marks the origin of the Yamuna River. 
• The temple, built by Maharaja Pratap Shah of Tehri Garhwal, is an essential part of the Char Dham Yatra. Nearby, the Surya Kund, is believed to have healing properties.

Gangotri Temple, Uttarakhand

• The Gangotri Temple, located in Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand, is dedicated to Goddess Ganga. 
• Situated at an altitude of 3,415 meters, it stands on the banks of the Bhagirathi River, the primary source of the Ganges. 
• According to legend, Goddess Ganga descended to Earth at Gangotri Temple to cleanse humanity’s sins. 
• Built by Amar Singh Thapa, a Gorkha general, the temple is a significant part of the Char Dham Yatra, attracting thousands of devotees annually.

Kamakhya Temple

• The Kamakhya Temple is located on Nilachal Hills in Guwahati, Assam, is one of the oldest and most revered centers of Tantric practices in India. 
• Dedicated to Goddess Kamakhya, a form of Shakti, the temple symbolizes female power and fertility. 
• According to legend, it marks the spot where Sati’s yoni (womb) fell after Lord Shiva’s tandava (dance of destruction). 
• The temple is famous for the Ambubachi Mela, an annual festival celebrating the goddess’s menstruation cycle, drawing thousands of devotees and Tantric practitioners.