Famous Temples of India
Welcome to the “Famous Temples of India” section of Sanatana Journey, your digital gateway to the heart of Sanatana Dharma. Here, we embark on a virtual pilgrimage, exploring the architectural marvels and spiritual sanctuaries that have stood as beacons of faith for centuries. These temples are not merely structures of stone and mortar; they are living repositories of India’s rich cultural and spiritual heritage, each narrating tales of devotion, mythology, and divine intervention.
India is home to some of the most revered temples, each reflecting deep spiritual significance and architectural brilliance. From the snow-clad Kedarnath and Badrinath temples in Uttarakhand to the grand Tirupati Balaji in Andhra Pradesh, these sacred sites draw millions of devotees. The Meenakshi Temple in Tamil Nadu mesmerizes with its intricate carvings, while the Jagannath Temple in Odisha is famous for its grand Rath Yatra. These temples not only serve as places of worship but also stand as symbols of India’s rich cultural and religious heritage, inspiring faith and devotion across generations.
Sanatana Journey believes in presenting the timeless wisdom of Hinduism in a manner that resonates with contemporary audiences. Therefore, our exploration of these temples will also shed light on their relevance in today’s world. We will discuss how these ancient structures continue to serve as centers of community, culture, and spiritual guidance, fostering a sense of unity and shared heritage.
The Badrinath Temple is a Hindu temple in the town of Badrinath, Uttarakhand. It is dedicated to Vishnu and is one of the most important pilgrimage sites.
- Best Time to Visit: May to October, avoiding monsoon months.
- Timings: Opens at 4:30 AM; closes at 1:00 PM. Reopens at 4:00 PM; closes at 9:00 PM.
- Entry Fees: No entry fee.
The Sun Temple of Konark, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of India’s most magnificent temples. Dedicated to Surya, the Sun God.
Best Time to Visit: October to March.
Timings: 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM.
Entry Fees: ₹40 for Indian citizens; ₹600 for foreign tourists.
Brihadeeswara Temple, also known as Peruvudaiyar Kovil, is one of the most stunning architectural marvels of India. Dedicated to Lord Shiva.
Best Time to Visit: October to March.
Timings: 6:00 AM to 12:30 PM; 4:00 PM to 8:30 PM.
Entry Fees: No entry fee.
Somnath Temple is one of the most revered Hindu temples in India, dedicated to Lord Shiva. Known as the first of the twelve Jyotirlingas, it holds immense spiritual significance.
- Best Time to Visit: October to March.
- Timings: 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM.
- Entry Fees: No entry fee.
Kedarnath Temple is one of the holiest Hindu pilgrimage sites dedicated to Lord Shiva. Nestled in the Garhwal Himalayas at an altitude of 3,583 meters (11,755 feet).
Best Time to Visit: May to October, avoiding monsoon months.
Timings: Opens at 4:00 AM; closes at 3:00 PM. Reopens at 5:00 PM; closes at 9:00 PM.
Entry Fees: No entry fee.
The Sanchi Stupa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the oldest stone structures in India and a remarkable symbol of Buddhist architecture.
Best Time to Visit: October to March.
Timings: 6:30 AM to 6:30 PM.
Entry Fees: ₹40 for Indian citizens; ₹600 for foreign tourists.
The Ramanathaswamy Temple in Rameshwaram, Tamil Nadu, is one of the holiest Hindu temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is a significant part of the Char Dham Yatra.
Best Time to Visit: October to April.
Timings: 5:00 AM to 1:00 PM; 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM.
Entry Fees: No entry fee.
The Gangotri Temple, located in Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand, is one of the most sacred Hindu shrines dedicated to Goddess Ganga. It is a key pilgrimage site in the Char Dham Yatra.
- Best Time to Visit: May to October.
- Timings: 4:00 AM to 9:00 PM.
- Entry Fees: No entry fee.
The Vaishno Devi Temple, located in the Trikuta Mountains of Jammu & Kashmir, is one of the most revered Hindu pilgrimage sites in India. Dedicated to Mata Vaishno Devi.
- Best Time to Visit: March to October.
- Timings: Open 24 hours.
- Entry Fees: Entry is free, but a Yatra slip from the Yatra Registration Counter is required.
The Siddhivinayak Temple, located in Mumbai, Maharashtra, is one of the most revered temples dedicated to Lord Ganesha. Known for fulfilling the wishes of devotees.
Best Time to Visit: November to February.
Timings: 5:30 AM to 10:00 PM.
Entry Fees: No entry fee.
The Golden Temple, also known as Sri Harmandir Sahib, is the holiest shrine of Sikhism. It is renowned for its gold-plated structure, serene Sarovar (holy tank), and spiritual significance.
Best Time to Visit: November to March.
Timings: Open 24 hours.
Entry Fees: No entry fee.
The Kashi Vishwanath Temple, located in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, is one of the most revered temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas.
Best Time to Visit: October to March.
Timings: 3:00 AM to 11:00 PM.
Entry Fees: No entry fee.
The Shri Jagannath Temple, located in Puri, Odisha, is one of the most sacred Hindu temples dedicated to Lord Jagannath (a form of Lord Vishnu).
Best Time to Visit: October to February.
Timings: 5:00 AM to 11:00 PM.
Entry Fees: No entry fee.
The Yamunotri Temple is a sacred Hindu shrine dedicated to Goddess Yamuna, located in the Garhwal Himalayas of Uttarakhand.
Best Time to Visit: May to October.
Timings: 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM.
Entry Fees: No entry fee.
The Meenakshi Temple is a magnificent Hindu temple dedicated to Goddess Meenakshi (a form of Parvati) and Lord Sundareswarar (a form of Shiva).
Best Time to Visit: October to March.
Timings: 5:00 AM to 12:30 PM; 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM.
Entry Fees: No entry fee
The Amarnath Cave Temple is one of the most revered pilgrimage sites in Hinduism, dedicated to Lord Shiva.
Best Time to Visit: July to August (during the annual yatra).
Timings: Open during the yatra period.
Entry Fees: No entry fee.
The Lingaraja Temple is one of the oldest and grandest temples in Bhubaneswar, dedicated to Lord Shiva. Built in Kalinga architectural style.
Best Time to Visit: October to March.
Timings: 6:00 AM to 12:30 PM; 3:30 PM to 9:00 PM.
Entry Fees: No entry fee.
Note: Non-Hindus are not permitted inside the temple premises but can view the temple from a designated platform.
The Tirupati Balaji Temple, also known as the Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple, is one of the most revered and richest temples in the world.
Best Time to Visit: September to February.
Timings: Opens at 2:30 AM; closes at 1:30 AM.
Entry Fees: Free entry; special darshan tickets available at varying prices.
Kanchipuram, also known as the City of Thousand Temples, is one of the seven Moksha-puris (sacred pilgrimage sites) in Hinduism.
Best Time to Visit: October to March.
Timings: Varies by temple; generally open from early morning to late evening.
Entry Fees: No entry fee.
The Khajuraho Temples are one of India’s most renowned UNESCO World Heritage Sites, famous for their stunning Nagara-style architecture and intricate erotic sculptures.
Best Time to Visit: October to February.
Timings: 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
Entry Fees: ₹40 for Indian citizens; ₹600 for foreign tourists.
The Virupaksha Temple is one of the oldest functioning temples in India and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This temple is Dedicated to Lord Shiva (Virupaksha).
Best Time to Visit: November to February.
Timings: 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
Entry Fees: No entry fee.
The Akshardham Temple in Delhi is a magnificent Hindu temple complex known for its intricate carvings, spiritual exhibits, and grand architecture. Built by the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, it is a masterpiece of Indian culture and spirituality.
Best Time to Visit: October to March.
Timings: 9:30 AM to 6:30 PM (closed on Mondays).
Entry Fees: No entry fee; charges apply for exhibitions and shows.
Lal Jain Mandir Delhi or Shri Digambar Jain Lal Mandir is the oldest and most famous Jain temple in Delhi, known for its striking red sandstone architecture and serene spiritual ambiance.
Best Time to Visit: October to March.
Timings: 5:00 AM to 9:00 PM.
Entry Fees: No entry fee.
The Gomateshwara Temple in Shravanabelagola, Karnataka, is home to the monolithic statue of Lord Bahubali, one of the most significant Jain pilgrimage sites in India.
Best Time to Visit: February to April.
Timings: 6:30 AM to 11:30 AM; 3:30 PM to 6:30 PM.
Entry Fees: No entry fee.
The Ranakpur Jain Temple is one of the most spectacular and largest Jain temples in India. Known for its intricate marble architecture, this temple is dedicated to Tirthankara Adinatha, the first Jain Tirthankara.
Best Time to Visit: October to March.
Timings: 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM for tourists; 6:00 AM to 12:00 PM for devotees.
Entry Fees: ₹200 for foreign tourists; ₹100 for Indian tourists.
The Shirdi Sai Baba Temple is one of the most visited pilgrimage sites in India, dedicated to Sai Baba of Shirdi, a revered saint known for his teachings on love, faith, and selfless service.
Best Time to Visit: December to February.
Timings: 4:00 AM to 11:15 PM.
Entry Fees: No entry fee.
The Shri Padmanabhaswamy Temple is one of the richest and most revered temples in the world, dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It is famous for its architectural grandeur, religious significance, and hidden treasures.
Best Time to Visit: October to February.
Timings: 3:30 AM to 12:00 PM; 5:00 PM to 7:20 PM.
Entry Fees: No entry fee.
Note: Strict dress code enforced.
The Dwarkadhish Temple, also known as the Jagat Mandir, is one of the most sacred Hindu pilgrimage sites dedicated to Lord Krishna, who is worshipped here as the King of Dwarka. It is a part of the Char Dham Yatra and holds great spiritual significance for devotees.
Best Time to Visit: November to February.
Timings: 6:30 AM to 1:00 PM; 5:00 PM to 9:30 PM.
Entry Fees: No entry fee.
The Laxminarayan Temple, also known as the Birla Mandir, is a grand Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu (Narayan) and Goddess Lakshmi. It is one of Delhi’s most famous temples and a significant spiritual and architectural landmark.
Best Time to Visit: October to March.
Timings: 4:30 AM to 1:30 PM; 2:30 PM to 9:00 PM.
Entry Fees: No entry fee.
The Bankey Bihari Temple is one of the most revered temples in Vrindavan, dedicated to Lord Krishna in his Bankey Bihari (tribhanga) form—standing with a bent posture.
Best Time to Visit: October to March.
Timings: Summer: 7:45 AM to 12:00 PM; 5:30 PM to 9:30 PM. Winter: 8:45 AM to 1:00 PM; 4:30 PM to 8:30 PM.
Entry Fees: No entry fee.
The Neelkanth Mahadev Temple is a revered Hindu shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva, located near Rishikesh, Uttarakhand. The temple is known for its mythological significance, as it is believed to be the place where Lord Shiva.
Best Time to Visit: October to March.
Timings: 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM.
Entry Fees: No entry fee.
The Mukteswara Temple in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, is an architectural gem dedicated to Lord Shiva. Built in the 10th century, it is known for its intricate carvings, Torana (arched gateway), and detailed sculptures that showcase the Kalinga style of architecture.
Best Time to Visit: October to March
Timings: 6:30 AM to 7:30 PM
Entry Fees: No entry fee
The 51 Shakti Peethas are sacred shrines spread across India and neighboring countries, dedicated to Goddess Shakti. These holy sites mark the places where parts of Goddess Sati’s body fell on Earth, according to Hindu mythology. Each Shakti Peeth represents a manifestation of Shakti and is paired with a corresponding Bhairava.
Best Time to Visit: October to March (Navratri is especially auspicious)
Timings: Generally, temples are open from 5:00 AM to 9:00 PM (may vary by location)
Entry Fees: No entry fee
The Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple in Srirangam, Tamil Nadu, is one of the most significant Vaishnavite temples dedicated to Lord Ranganatha (a reclining form of Lord Vishnu). It is the largest functioning Hindu temple complex in the world, covering 156 acres.
Best Time to Visit: November to March
Timings: 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Entry Fees: Free for general darshan; special darshan tickets available (₹50 – ₹250)
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the 10 famous temple names of India?
Here are 10 famous temples in India, known for their religious significance and architectural grandeur: Kedarnath Temple, Vaishno Devi Temple, Golden Temple, Meenakshi Temple, Jagannath Temple, Somnath Temple, Ram Mandir, Badrinath Temple, Kashi Vishwanath Temple, and Tirumala Venkateswara Temple.
Which temple is 5000 years old?
Some temples often cited in this context include the Kailasanatha Temple, the Krishnabai Temple, and the Sthaneshwar Mahadev Temple
Which is the richest temple in India?
It is widely considered the world’s richest temple. The principal deity is Padmanabhaswamy (Sanskrit: पद्मनाभस्वामि, IAST: Padmanābhasvāmi), a form of Vishnu enshrined in the “Anantashayana” posture, engaged in eternal yogic sleep on his serpent mount named Shesha.
What are the 4 temples of India?
The four major Hindu pilgrimage sites, known as the “Char Dham,” are Badrinath, Dwarka, Puri (Jagannath Temple), and Rameswaram.
Which temple is very powerful?
Determining which temple is “most powerful” is subjective and depends on individual beliefs, but some temples are known for their spiritual significance and are considered powerful by many, including the Golden Temple (Harmandir Sahib) in Amritsar (Sikhism) and the Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya (Buddhism).
Which temple is richest in India?
The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam is the world’s richest temple body, and it has been the battleground for politicians since its inception 92 years ago.
Which is the No 1 temple in India?
The Shree Padmanabhaswamy Temple is a Hindu temple located in Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of the state of Kerala, India. It is widely considered as the world’s richest Hindu temple.
What is the oldest temple in India?
The oldest temple in India, with claims dating back to 3,000 years, is the Mangalanathaswamy Temple (Uthirakosamangai Mangalanathaswamy Temple) in the Ramanathapuram district of Tamil Nadu.
Which is the most beautiful temple in India?
Shree Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, is widely considered one of the most beautiful and richest Hindu temples in the world.
Which Hindu temple is 10,000 years old?
The Mundeshwari Devi Temple in Bihar, India, is considered one of the oldest functional Hindu temples and is believed to date back to 108 CE.