Must-Visit Temples in India

India is the land of spirituality and our heritage reflects the fact. There are numerous temples in the subcontinent that have been a hub of spirituality for as long as our history. These are the temples one must visit if looking for a peaceful respite while learning facts of historical significance.
Here we have a list of a few of these must-visit temples –

MEENAKSHI AMMAN TEMPLE

Located on the banks of the River Vaigai, Tamil Nadu, Meenakshi Amman Temple is one of the most prominent temples in India for a number of reasons. This temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, has 14 towers covered in as many as 33,000 colorful sculptures, which give the temple its unique look. It’s a site of pilgrimage, historically and culturally irreplaceable and thus, a temple you must visit.

SUN TEMPLE

Konark’s Sun temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1984. It was built around the 13th century for Surya, the sun god. It’s one of the most famous temples in India and a major pilgrimage site, especially around February, where thousands of people get together for the Chandrabhaga Mela. The Sun Temple is culturally significant because of its splendid architecture. Built like a chariot with 24 wheels, all carved and massive in size, it gives us a glimpse of the past magnificence of India.

MAHABODHI TEMPLE

Built in Bodhgaya, the place where Buddha is said to have attained enlightenment, Mahabodhi temple holds great importance for Buddhists. It was built during the late Gupta period and reflects the art and culture, the architecture of that time. There is a large, gold-covered Buddha inside the temple which houses numerous carvings retelling Indian mythological stories. If you are someone who is interested in the art schools that flourished during the Gupta era, this is a temple you must visit.

LOTUS TEMPLE

Delhi’s Lotus Temple is one of its kind when it comes to style and architecture. Its’ marble ‘petals’, 27 in number, give it a form of a beautiful white lotus. The temple is open to all throughout the year since 1986 and is a prominent place for Bahai worship. Its peaceful ambiance accompanied by the sheer elegance of the structure is something you must not miss. That’s why it’s one of the temples on this must-visit list.

RANAKPUR TEMPLE

Located in the village of Ranakpur, Rajasthan, it is one of the most important places of worship for Jains. Its architecture is beautiful and boasts of intricately carved pillars, over a thousand in number, which is a treat for the art lovers and those with good eyes. But even if you have neither, you will still be in awe of the temple’s exquisite structure built out of light-colored marble, which is said to change color depending on the time of the day.