Top 15 Temples That Best Uphold India’s Incredible Religious Diversity

Holding the beliefs of more than a billion people, the top temples of India have been sanctifying lives for centuries. It is indeed hard to come across another country in the face of Earth, that is blessed with an incredible variety of religious beliefs and culture.

The proof of such diversity is best testified in the temples that were built in India more than centuries ago.
More than religious customs, the temple tours of India, can offer you the perfect example of the cultural heritage that is India is famous for. It can really open up a whole new world for those who are keen on mysticism, and mythology.

The best holiday packages in India will cover the tour of the following top 15 temples of India:

1. Tirumala Venkateshwara Temple

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Lord Venkateshwara is an epitome of Lord Vishnu, and this temple located in Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh is dedicated to the Lord. According to records, the temple is visited by 50,000 to 1, 00,000 devotees, but not everyone turns over here to pay their prayers to the lord. The temple bears inscriptions and architectural relics belonging to the Dravidian civilization.
Various religious rituals are performed in the premises of the temple, including Ramanavami, Janmashtami, Vaikuntha Ekadashi, Rathasaptami, etc to appease the Lord.

However, if you want to attend the Brahmotsavam, the most popular festival of Tirumala, then you will have to visit the temple during September as it is held only once a year. You can find this temple being enlisted in the south India temple tours.

2. Shirdi Sai Baba

This is another temple which is included in probably all the Pilgrimage Tours of India. In the Shirdi Town of Maharashtra, the holy temple of Sai was built during the early 1900s. In order to explore this temple, you will have to travel 296 km from Mumbai to the town of Shirdi, which has gained importance due to its association of the spiritual lord Shri Sai Baba. The shrine covering an area of about 200 sq km was built over the Samadhi of Sai Baba. On a usual day, about 20,000 devotees come to pay their tributes, and during festivals, this number turns into lakhs.

Some of the festivals which are celebrated in full swing are Guru Purnima, Ramnavami, Vijayadashami, etc. If you want to learn about the ideals of Sai Baba which are forgiveness, love, and charity then you must make a visit to this spiritual shrine.

3. Somnath Temple

This is perhaps one of the oldest holy places of India and that is why you would find it being mentioned in various ancient books of India. In India, the Moon-god is named Son and the protector of the Moon God is similarly called Somnath. According to legend, when Lord Shiva cured the illnesses of Som which was a result of Som’s father-in-law’s curse, Som built this in honour of his protector.

The temple is situated in PrabhasKshetra, Gujarat and is considered to be one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of India. This holy abode is also included in the Gujarat temple tour packages.

4. Jagannath Temple

The Jagannath Temple built during the 12th century is dedicated to Lord Krishna and is situated in Puri, Orissa. The temple is considered to be one of the four “Chardham” or the holiest places of India. This temple places strict regulations and that is why non-Hindus are not allowed to enter it.

In order to get glimpses of this majestic temple, you can climb on to the roof of the Raghunandan Library located just opposite the temple. In case you are considering to book the Odisha temple tours make sure to attend the world famous Rath Yatra conducted at this temple.

5. Golden temple

Also known by the name of Darbar Sahib, this is one of the pious holy places of India to practice or learn the ideals of Sikhism. The temple wrapped in shiny golden colour is not only praised for its architecture but also on its values of universal brotherhood and equality. The numerous doors of this temple are open to all individuals of any religion, class, race, etc.

In case you are up for golden temple tours don’t ever forget to have the mandatory langar lunch over there.

6. Kashi Vishwanath Temple

Kashi Vishwanath Temple is also dedicated to Lord Shiva and is situated in the holy city of life and death, Varanasi. The city of Varanasi is known as Kashi and that is why the ancient temple has been named so.

It is said that the blessings you will receive from paying your respects to the 11 jyotirlingas of India equal to that of sighting the jyotirlinga of the Vishwanath Temple. Numerous tourists come from all over the world every year to attain moksha, or the liberation of the soul by visiting the sacred temple of Shiva.

7. Meenakshi Amman Temple

Another temple which you should not miss exploring in your next South India Tour is the Meenakshi Amman Temple, one of the ancient and largest of the world. The temple which is perhaps 2500 years old, is dedicated to Meenakshi, an avatar of goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva.

Even if you are not a devotee, the architectural excellence of this temple will not fail to attract you. In case you want to quench your thirsts of historical knowledge, visit the in-house museum.

8. Vaishno Devi Mandir

This one located in Jammu requires the devotes of the trek for about 12 km from the base camp, Katra. It is perched in a mountain of height 5200 ft called Trikuta and the temple is present in the form of 3 rock heads called the Pindies.

9. Akshardham Temple

This temple exploration is included in the Delhi Temple Tour as it is located on the banks of the river Yamuna. This gigantic temple was constructed on the principles of Pancharatra Shastra and Vastu Shastra.

The temple made of Italian Carrara marble and Rajasthan pink stone is a perfect example of ancient Indian architecture. The principal deity of the Akshardham temple is Lord Swaminarayan and his idol lies below the central dome of the temple.

10. The Konark Sun Temple

A small town of Orissa, Konark is famous for housing the beautiful Sun temple exhibiting architectural excellence. The temple is being dedicated to the Sun god and thus it resembles his chariot with 12 wheels, dragged by 7 horses. According to historical records, the temple was built by King Narasimhadeva during the 13th century.

11. Khajuraho Temple

Do not miss the Khajuraho Temple Tour if you want to explore the ancient architectural patterns of the temples of India. Declared as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, the temple lies in the town of Khajuraho in Madhya Pradesh and houses several temples built between the 10th and 12th centuries.

The temples are famous for bearing erotic carvings along with inscriptions depicting daily life. Although there were about 75 temples in the past, now only 20 exist.

12. Badrinath Temple

In case you are booking holiday packages in India, do not ever forget to include the Badrinath temple located in the town of Badrinath in Uttarakhand. Among the Char Dham tour of India, the shrine of Lord Vishnu residing in this temple is one of them.

But the extreme climatic conditions obstruct the devotees from visiting the temple throughout the year and thus the ancient abode of Lord Vishnu can be sighted only for the months between April and November.

13. Kedarnath Temple

Kedarnath temple located in the Himalayan range of Garhwal area of Uttarakhand, the Kedarnath temple is one of the most sacred Shiva temples of India. Mythology says this ancient shrine was built by the Pandavas in honour of Lord Shiva to atone for their sins committed against the Kauravas.

The temple was destroyed a while back and was restored by Adi Sankaracharya in the 8th century. Devotees need to cover a distance of about 14 Km makes it to the temple successfully.

14. Rameshwaram

Rameshwaram is a small island town in Tamil Nadu and is famous for being one head among the Chardham in India. As per religious beliefs, Lord Ram and Sita first landed on this shore after defeating Ravana and that is why the premises of the temple are considered to be very pious. In case you sign up for Kerala Temple Tour you will have the chance to explore this magnificent and holy temple.

15. Siddhivinayak Temple

Sidhivinayak or Lord Ganesha is the deity of this temple, located in Prabha Devi, Mumbai and it is said that the Lord is the first one to be worshipped before commencing any new task.

A land of more than several million gods and goddesses, the holy places of India have been alluring even atheists and agnostics, from all over the world for ages. If you too wish to explore these ancient marvels in this incredible country, simply book temple tours of India and set exploring at the earliest!