Badami, Karnataka The Badami Cave Temples, also known as the South Fort Cave Temples, are a series of four rock-cut temples that date back to the height of the Chalukya Empire. They are the finest and best known cave temples in south India, and are arguably third in popularity in the entire country after the cave temples in Ajanta and Elora. Long abandoned, the caves of Badami … [Read more...]
VIJAYANAGAR RUINS TEMPLES
Hampi, Karnataka The Vijayanagar Ruins in the city of Hampi is home to one of the best collections of decaying old temples in Southern India. Once the capital of one of the wealthiest kingdoms in Indian history, the city of Hampi at its height boasted some of the most splendind temples constructed after the Middle Ages. There are dozens of amazing temples here in various … [Read more...]
KANDARIYA, MAHADEV, JAGADAMI TEMPLES
Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh The city of Khajuraho is home to one of the best collections of temples in India. There are nearly two-dozen major temples here, including some from both the Jain and Hindu traditions. Of the Hindu temples, the Kandariya/Mahadev/Jagadami Temple (three temples connected in a single complex) is the largest and among the most popular. It is part of the … [Read more...]
VISHNUPAD TEMPLE
Gaya, Bihar The Vishnupad Temple in Gaya is one of the most historic temples in Bihar, and is of particular religious importance in that it is one of the important ties between the Hindu and Buddhist faiths. Located not too far from the Mahabodhi Temple, the most sacred Buddhist site in India, it marks another very important Buddhist site. For Hindus, it is incredibly … [Read more...]
SRI VENKATESWARA TEMPLE
Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh The Sri Venkateswara Temple is one of India’s stellar religious attractions. It is estimated that over 30 million pilgrims visit this temple every year, making it the most visited Hindu site in the world and puts it in the running for one of the most visited sacred places in any religion anywhere. Dedicated primarily to Vishnu, its claim to fame is … [Read more...]
SRI RANGANATHA TEMPLE
Srirangapatna, Karnataka The Sri Ranganatha Temple is one of five sacred shrines along the Kaveri River dedicated to Vishnu. The most upstream of the five, it is considered the most important, and is a popular starting point for pilgrims traveling along the river. Architecturally it boasts one of the finest pyramid dome towers in Karnataka, and is a popular destination for … [Read more...]
CHENNAKESHAVA TEMPLES
Belur & Somnathpura, Karnataka The Chennakeshava Temples are a trio of temples constructed in the 12th and 13th centuries under the auspices of the Hoysala kings in Southern India. All three honor Chennakeshava, a form of the deity Vishnu, and are among the best preserved and awe-inspiring temples in Karnataka. Of the three, two are considered among the best (and most … [Read more...]
LAKSHMANA TEMPLE
Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh The city of Khajuraho is home to one of the best collections of temples in India. There are nearly two-dozen major temples here, including some from both the Jain and Hindu traditions. Of the Hindu temples, the Lakshmana Temple is among the best preserved and most popular. It is part of the Western Group of temples (those located on the west side of … [Read more...]
SHORE TEMPLE
Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu The Shore Temple is one of southern India’s most unique temples, both historically and architecturally. It gets its name from the fact that its stands on the shore of the Bay of Bengal, and it might have once served a dual purpose as a light house. Unlike virtually every other major temple in India, which are generally rock cut and involve intricately … [Read more...]
SABHANAYAKA NATARAJA TEMPLE
Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu The Sabhanayaka Nataraja Temple is one of the most religiously important in the the South of India. According to legend, it was here that the Lord Shiva descended to Earth in primordial times and first performed the Cosmic Dance. Because of this it draws a particularly large number of Hindus specifically on pilgimrage (whereas most other temples in … [Read more...]
