14 of India’s largest temples with highlights
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The Indian subcontinent is home to many religions, of which Hinduism is the most prominent. Temple building in India began in caves around 400 BC. These stone temples slowly evolved into brick and wood structures. Ancient Indians worshipped gods such as Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. Paintings of these deities have been found in these cave temples, suggesting that the tradition of idolatry is as old as religion. Gradually, as the times changed, these idols were worshipped under different names and in different forms all over India. Temples in ancient India were centers of social and cultural activity. They have large tracts of land dedicated to temples, some of which are 155 acres in size. These temples have several walls called “Prakarams” that surround the inner sanctuary of the temple. This article focuses on some of the largest temples in India.
List of largest temples in India with pictures:
Contents of the table:
1. Meenakshi Amman Temple in Madurai.
2. The Thilai Natarajah Temple in Chidambaram.
3. Brihaddiswara Temple in Thanjavur.
4. Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple in Srirangam.
5. Belur Math, Calcutta.
6. Temple of Nellaiappar in Tirunelveli.
7. Annamalaiyar Temple in Thiruvannamalai.
8. Sripuram Golden Temple in Vellore.
9. The Jagannath Temple in Puri.
10. The Jambukeswarar Temple in Thiruvanaghava.
11. Vaitheeswaran Koli Temple in Sirkazhi.
12. Birla Mandir in Delhi.
13. Akshardham, Delhi.
14. Tiruvarur Thyagarajaswamy Temple in Tiruvarur.
1. Meenakshi Amman Temple in Madurai:
In the beautiful temple city of Madurai, the Meenakshi Amman temple is 170 feet high and houses 14 guphrams. This magnificent temple is also known as Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple, an alternate name for Parvati and Shiva respectively. Madurai, the temple city existed as this sacred building 25,000 years ago. Above the shrine, two vimanas of golden structures are installed. According to statistics, more than 25,000 tourists are said to visit the temple every day on Friday and Friday. The temple is famous for its 30,000 sculptures.
emphasize:
- address: Madurai Main, Madurai, Tamil Nadu 625001
- time: 5am to 12.30pm, 4pm to 9.30pm
- Dress Code: Strictly traditional clothing.
- About. Visiting time: 2-3 hours
- how can I get there: It is 2 km from Madurai Railway Station.
- Temple website: not applicable
- Best time to visit: Navarathri and all important Hindu festivals.
- Other attractions: The nasturtium tank and museum.
2. Thilai Natarajah Temple in Chidambaram:
The Thilai Natarajah Temple in Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu, is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is one of the largest temples in India. Thillai Koothan or Natarajh has been the main deity of the temple since the 12th century. This temple is the beginning of all the temples of Sevite. Chidambaram represents one of the five classic elements known as Pancha Bootha Sthalams called Aakash (Aether). The temple celebrates many different festivals throughout the year.
emphasize:
- address: Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu 608001
- time: 6:00am to 10:00pm
- Dress Code: strict traditional dress
- About. Visiting time: 2-3 hours
- how can I get there: The nearest airport is Pondicherry Airport, 51 km away.Chidambaram also has a train station where you can easily take a taxi to the temple
- Temple website: not applicable
- Best time to visit: Arudra Dasanan
- Other attractions: This temple has stunning sculptures and an ancient terry tree
3. Brihadeeswarar Temple in Thanjavur:
The Brihadeswaral Temple in Thanjavur is one of the largest temples in India, built by Emperor Raja Raja Chora I in 1010 AD. The main deity of Brihadiswar Temple is Lord Shiva. It also has idols of Ashta-dipaalakas or guardians of the directions of Indra, Agni, Yama, Nirrti, Varuna, Vayu, Kubera and Isana. At the entrance of the temple there is a large statue of Nandi or sacred cow carved from a single piece of rock. It is also the largest Shiva temple in India.
emphasize:
- address: Membalam Rd, Balaganapathy Nagar, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu 613007
- time: 6:00 am to 12:30 pm, 4:00 pm to 8:30 pm
- Dress Code: Traditional clothing
- About. Visiting time: 2-3 hours
- how can I get there: The nearest airport is Pondicherry Airport, 138 km away. Thanjavur railway station has many train connections. You can also opt for a bus to Thanjavur Junction.
- Temple website: not applicable
- Best time to visit: Mahasivarathri Night Dance Festival
- Other attractions: Besides visiting the temple, be sure to bring home the famous Thanjavur doll.
[See More: Temples in South India]
4. Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple in Srirangam:
Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple in Srirangam is one of the largest functioning temples in India. It is surrounded by seven concentric walls or prakarams and has 21 enclosed gopurams. It has 49 shrines, all dedicated to Lord Vishnu. However, the entire temple was not used for religious purposes. Of the seven concentric walls, three are used for private commercial establishments such as restaurants, hotels, residences, etc.
emphasize:
- address: Tiruchirappallis Lirangan – 620 006.
- time: 3am to 10pm
- dress code: Traditional clothing
- About. Visiting time: 2-3 hours
- how can I get there: Srirangam has a railway station and many connecting buses from all major cities.
- Temple website: https://srirangam.org/
- Best time to visit: Jestabhishekam, Oonjal, Pavithrotsavam
- Other attractions: The temple serves delicious food to 200 devotees every day
5. Belur Math in Kolkata:
Located on the west bank of the Hooghly River in Belur, just on the outskirts of the city of Kolkata, Belur Math is the headquarters of Ramakrishna Math and Mission, founded by Swami Vivekananda, one of Ramakrishna Paramahamsa’s main disciples. It is known for its architecture that incorporates Hindu, Christian and Islamic motifs as a symbol of unity between all religions.
emphasize:
- address: Belur, Howrah, West Bengal 711202
- time: 6 am to 12 noon, 4 pm to 9 pm
- Dress Code: Traditional clothing
- About. Visiting time: 2-3 hours
- how can I get there: 25 minutes drive from Kolkata Airport
- Temple website: https://belurmath.org/
- Best time to visit: All important Hindu festivals
- Other attractions: Ramakrishna Samadhi, museum and many other sub-shrines
6. Temple of Nellaiappar in Tirunelveli:
Nellaiappar Temple or Arulmigu Swami Nellaiappar and Arultharum Kanthimathi Temple are located in the ancient city of Tirunelveli. It was built around 3000 years ago and is known for its musical pillars and other splendid sculptural splendor. It was built by Muluthukanda Rama Pandiyan and has Somavara Mandapam, a hall of 1000 columns. The temple hosts the oldest car festival in the world.
emphasize:
- address: 162, E Car St, Tirunelveli Town, Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu 627006
- time: 6:00am to 9:00pm
- Dress Code: Traditional clothing
- About. Visiting time: 1-2 hours
- how can I get there: The nearest airport to Tuticornis is 49 km from the temple
- Temple website: not applicable
- Best time to visit: It is generally recommended to visit between October and February. Tirukalia South,
- Other attractions: Beautiful buildings and inscriptions on temples.
[See More: Temples In North India]
7. Annamalaiyar Temple in Thiruvannamalai:
Annamalaiyar Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located on Mount Annamalai in the city of Tiruvannamalai. It is considered the second largest temple in terms of religious use. It is flanked by four stately towers and four high stone walls, like the walls of a fortress. It has a Rajagopuram, the tallest eastern tower with 11 storeys. The temple has solid walls and four gopura entrances.
emphasize:
- address: Pavazhakundur, Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu 606601
- time: 5:30am–12:30am and 3:30pm–9:30pm
- Dress Code: Traditional clothing
- About. Visiting time: 2 – 3 hours
- how can I get there: Chennai Airport is about 200 km from the temple
- Temple website: http://www.arunachaleswarartemple.tnhrce.in/
- Best time to visit: Katika Massam
- Other attractions: Ramana Maharshi Ashram
8. Sripuram Golden Temple in Vellore:
Sripuram Golden Temple is a spiritual park located at the foot of a small green hill in the town of Malaikodi in the city of Vellore. It is located at the southern end of Vellore, in a place called Tirumalaikodi. Sripuram’s golden temple is Laxmi Narayan temple or Mahalakshmi temple with its “Vimanam” and “ArdhaMandapam” painted in gold inside and out.
emphasize:
- address: Sri Narayani Peetam, Sri Puram, Thirumalai Kodi, Vellore, Tamil Nadu 632055
- time: 4:00am to 7:00pm
- dress code: Traditional clothing
- About. Visiting time: 1-2 hours
- how can I get there: Tirupati is the main city, 137 km from the road. There are also many direct trains from Tirupati to Vellore.
- Temple website: www.sripuram.org/
- Best time to visit: Navarathiri Maha Utsav
- Other attractions: Beautiful scenery of the temple
9. Jagannath Temple in Puri:
Located in the coastal town of Puri, Sri Jagannath Temple is a very famous Hindu temple dedicated to Jagannath or Lord Vishnu. This is an important pilgrimage for Hindus as it belongs to the Char Dham pilgrimage point. It was built in the 12th century with the main god being Lord Jagannath and the central form of Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra. The temple’s annual RathYatra or Chariot Festival is very popular.
emphasize:
- address: Puri, Odisha
- time: 5:00am to 6:30pm
- Dress Code: Traditional clothing
- About. Visiting time: 1-2 hours
- how can I get there: 60 km from Bhubaneswar Airport
- Temple website: www.jagannathtemplepuri.com
- Best time to visit: Ras Yatra
- Other attractions: Food served in the temple.
[See More: Temples In Tirupati]
10. Jambukeswarar Temple in Thiruvanaghava:
Jambukeswarar Temple or Thiruvanaikaval Temple is located in Tiruchirappalli and dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple was built around 1800 years ago by Kozenganan, one of the early Choras. It is one of the main Shiva temples in Tamil Nadu and represents the Mahabha or the five elements, in particular, this temple resembles neer or water.
emphasize:
- address: Sannathi St, Thiruvanaikoil, Srirangam, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu 620005
- time: 6:30am to 9:00pm
- Dress Code: Traditional clothing
- About. Visiting time: 1-2 hours
- how can I get there: Trichy is the nearest railway station, 9 km from the temple
- Temple website: http://www.thiruvanaikavaltemple.tnhrce.in
- Best time to visit: Brahmotsavam, Adi Plum
- Other attractions: Sri Mathersom
11. Vaitheeswaran Koli Temple in Sirkazhi:
Vaitheeswaran Koli Temple is 7 km from Tamil Nadu city or Sirkaci. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva, who is worshipped as Vaitheeswaran or the god of healing or medicine. It is one of the nine Navagraha or nine planetary temples associated with Mars. A holy water dip in the holy water of a Siddhamirtham jar containing nectar is said to cure all ailments.
emphasize:
- address: Number: 25 Taluk Vaitheeswaran Koil, South Madaviragam, Sirkazhi, Tamil Nadu 609117
- time: 6:00am to 9:00pm
- Dress Code: Traditional clothing
- About. Visiting time: 1-2 hours
- how can I get there: The temple is 25 km from Chidambaram and 1.3 km from Vaitheeswaran Railway Station
- Temple website: not applicable
- Best time to visit: Temple fair held every April
- Other attractions: Templar tank with healing powers.
12. Birla Mandir, Delhi:
Birla Mandir is located in Delhi, the capital of the country. It is also known as Laxminarayan Temple, dedicated to the same goddess. It was built in honor of Goddess Lakshmi or Goddess of Wealth and her consort Narayana or Vishnu. It was built in 1622 and renovated in 1793. As we all know, it has been endorsed by the father of the nation, Mahatma Gandhi. He instituted a rule that allowed entry to the temple regardless of religious affiliation.
emphasize:
- address: Mandir Marg, Near, Gole Market, New Delhi, Delhi 110001
- time: 4:30am – 1:30pm 2:30pm – 9:00pm…