Famous Temples in India: Location, Timing, History

When you think about India, the first image that pops up in your head would be of a land of diverse cultures and rich spiritual heritage. These famous temples in India stand as architectural marvels, dating back to 700-800 years. Every year millions of devotees and tourists visit these temples seeking divine blessings and experiencing spirituality.

Here are some of the most important temples in India with their information, location, and history.

Most Popular Temples in India

1. ISKCON Temples

ISKCON or The International Society for Krishna Consciousness is a Hindu religious organisation that promotes the teaching of Lord Krishna. They have 800+ temples across the world with India having the most number of temples i.e. 150+ temples. ISKCON was founded in 1966 by C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada in New York City. ISKCON has also established 100+ vegetarian restaurants, local meeting groups, and some community projects including free food distribution programs.

Some popular ISKCON temples are in Bangalore, Delhi, Vrindavan, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Siliguri, and Pune.

2. Virupaksha Temple

Virupaksha Temple in Hampi is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site surrounded by ruins near the Tungabhadra River. It was constructed in the 7th century AD and is believed to be one of the oldest functioning temples in India. The temple has a 160 ft tall tower facing the famous Hampi Bazaar. The major festival in the Virupaksha temple is the chariot festival in February.

• Location: Hampi, Karnataka
• Timings: 6 AM – 1 PM and 5 PM – 9 PM
• Best time to visit: October to April
• How to reach: It is 350 km away from Bangalore. Buses and taxis are available from Bangalore to Hampi. Nearest Railway station is Hosapete.

3. Kedarnath Temple

The Kedarnath Temple is one of the most prestigious and important temples in India. This sacred shrine is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is believed to be built by the Pandavas. It is surrounded by the snow-clad peaks of the Himalayas. Devotees must trek for 16 km through the hilly terrains to reach the temple. Kedarnath temple is situated at the height of 3583 m and is among the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva.

• Location: Rudraprayag, Uttarakhand
• Timings: 6 AM – 3 PM and 5 PM – 7 PM
• Best time to visit: May to October
• How to reach: Take a bus to Gaurikund from Rishikesh and then trek to reach the temple.
• Places to Stay: Hotels in Rishikesh

4. Golden Temple

Sri Harmandir Sahib or Golden Temple is the most sacred religious site among Sikhs and one of the most famous temples in India and the world. The temple has stunning architecture adorned with gold and is famous for its Langar kitchen around the globe. It is, undoubtedly, one of the richest temples in India. The temple serves around 1,000,00 people a day with free food regardless of any religion or faith. The Golden Temple advocates the values of universal equality and brotherhood. The Guru Granth Sahib, the holy book of the Sikhs was first placed in this temple for worship.

• Location: Amritsar, Punjab
• Timings: 24 hours (Darshan timing – 4 am to 11 pm)
• Best time to visit: September to April
• How to reach: The nearest railway station is Amritsar (2km). There are regular buses and taxis available to the temple.
• Places to Stay: Hotels near Golden Temple

5. Kashi Vishwanath Temple

Kashi Vishwanath Temple is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva. Located near the banks of river Ganga in Kashi or Varanasi, this temple is around 2500 years old making it one of the oldest temples in India. The temple tower is plated with 800 kg of gold donated by Maharaja Ranjit Singh. It is one of the most important temples in India as it is visited by many distinguished personalities such as Swami Vivekananda, Adi Shankaracharya, Goswami Tulsidas, Guru Nanak, and many others.

• Location: Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
• Timings: 3 am to 11 pm
• Best time to visit: October to March
• How to reach: The nearest railway station is Varanasi (5 km). There are regular rickshaws and taxis available to the temple.
• Places to Stay: Hotels near Kashi Vishwanath Temple

6. Bankey Bihari Temple

Bankey Bihari Temple is the most sacred temple dedicated to Lord Krishna. The architecture of the temple is adorned with Rajasthani-style stonework. In the word Bankey Bihari, ‘Bankey’ means bent in three places and the word ‘Bihari’ means supreme enjoyer. The idol is believed to have been gifted by lord Krishna himself at the request of Swami Haridas. More than 50,000 devotees visit the temple daily and around 1,000,00 people visit on the weekends making it among the top temples in India.

• Location: Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh
• Timings: 7:30 am to 12 pm and 5:30 pm to 9:30 pm
• Best time to visit: October to March
• How to reach: The nearest railway station is Vrindavan (900 m). There are regular rickshaws and taxis available to the temple.

7. Prem Mandir

Also known as the Temple of God’s Love, Prem Mandir is a temple in Vrindavan dedicated to Radha-Krishna and Sit-Ram. This temple was constructed in the year 2011 under the guidance of Jagadguru Shri Kripaluji Maharaj. The architecture of the temple has carvings on the marble, which is a marvel to witness. There is a light and sound show with fountains in the evening depicting the stories of Lord Krishna and Radha.

• Location: Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh
• Timings: 8:30 am to 12 pm and 4:30 pm to 8:30 pm
• Best time to visit: October to March
• How to reach: The nearest railway station is Vrindavan (5 km). There are regular rickshaws and taxis available to the temple.

8. Badrinath Temple

Badrinath Temple is a sacred temple of Lord Vishnu and is one of the four Char Dhams in India. It is located in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand. The temple is surrounded by a beautiful Himalayan range at the height of 10,279 feet with the Alakananda River flowing by. The Badrinath temple has a hot water spring called Tapt Kund, which is believed to have medicinal value. Badrinath temple is one of the most ancient Vishnu temples in India.

• Location: Badrinath, Uttarakhand
• Timings: 4:30 am to 8 am and 4 pm to 9 pm
• Best time to visit: May to June and September to October
• How to reach: The nearest railway station is Rishikesh. Regular buses and taxis are available from Rishikesh, Haridwar, and Chamoli to the temple.

9. Meenakshi Temple

Meenakshi Temple is an architectural marvel built in the 12th century. It is dedicated to Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva. The temple has 985 differently carved pillars which is magnificent on its own. The temple has a Golden Lotus holy pond, a dip in the pond is considered auspicious before visiting the main shrine.

• Location: Madurai, Tamil Nadu
• Timings: 9 am to 7 pm
• Best time to visit: October to March
• How to reach: The nearest railway station is Madurai (1 km). There are regular buses and taxis available for the temple.

10. Sanchi Stupa

The UNESCO World Heritage Site, Sanchi Stupa is one of the oldest monuments dedicated to Buddha in India. It was constructed by the Mauryan emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century BC. The national emblem of India is derived from the Ashoka Pillar standing in the Stupa. This place is a treat for the admirers of architecture and history fanatics.

• Location: Raisen, Madhya Pradesh
• Timings: 6:30 am to 7 pm
• Best time to visit: September to April
• How to reach: The nearest railway stations are Vidisha Junction (10 km) and Bhopal Junction (45 km). There are regular buses and taxis available for the temple.

11. Siddhivinayak Temple

Siddhivinayak Temple is a sacred shrine of Lord Ganesha and is one of the richest and most famous temples in India. It is believed that visiting this temple is auspicious before starting anything new in life. There are carvings of the eight impressions of Lord Ganesha on the door of the temple. The temple was built by Laxman Vithu and Deubai Patil in the year 1801.

• Location: Mumbai, Maharashtra
• Timings: 5:30 am to 10 pm
• Best time to visit: September to August
• How to reach: The nearest railway station is Mumbai Junction. There are regular buses and taxis available for the temple.
• Places to Stay: Hotels in Mumbai

12. Tirupati Balaji Temple

Sri Venkateswara Temple, famously known as the Tirupati Balaji Temple is among the top 10 richest temples in India. This temple is dedicated to Balaji which is an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Around 50,000 devotees visit the temple daily and there are dedicated teams to plan and manage the crowd. There is a religious tradition of the tonsuring of the head in the temple.

• Location: Tirumala, Andhra Pradesh
• Timings: 7:30 am to 7 pm and 8 pm to 1 am
• Best time to visit: September to December
• How to reach: The nearest railway station is Tirupati (22km). There are regular buses and taxis available for the temple.
• Places to Stay: Hotels in Tirupati

13. Bhimashankar Temple

Bhimashankar Temple is situated near the Sahyadri Hills in Maharashtra. It is among the twelve jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva and one of the most famous Shiva temples in India. The forest near the temple has been declared a wildlife sanctuary and is a treasure of many medicinal herbs. The temple is constructed in the Nagara style architecture and also has some carvings of Buddha.

• Location: Pune, Maharashtra
• Timings: 5 am to 12 pm and 4 pm to 9 pm
• Best time to visit: September to April
• How to reach: Pune, Neral, and Karjat are the nearest railway stations. There are regular buses and taxis available for the temple.

14. Birla Temple

Birla Temple or Laxmi Narayan Temple is a Hindu temple in Delhi dedicated to Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi. Mahatma Gandhi inaugurated this temple in 1939 and is open to all religions and castes. This temple is one of the most popular attractions in Delhi with a complex spreading up to 7.5 acres. The temple complex has a multi-floral garden, fountains, and a large auditorium named Gita Bhawan.

• Location: Delhi
• Timings: 6 am to 12 pm and 3 pm to 9 pm
• Best time to visit: September to May
• How to reach: The nearest railway station is New Delhi. There are regular buses and taxis available for the temple.
• Places to Stay: Hotels in Delhi

15. Brihadeshwara Temple

Brihadeshwara Temple is an architectural marvel located in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu. It is also known as Peruvudaiyar Kovil and Raja Rajeswaram. The temple was built by the Chola Emperor Raja Raja Chola I in the 11th century and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. An interesting fact about this temple is that it doesn’t leave any shadow on the ground at noon.

• Location: Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu
• Timings: 6 am to 12:30 pm and 4 pm to 8:30 pm
• Best time to visit: October to July
• How to reach: The nearest railway stations are Thrissur and Madurai. There are regular rickshaws and taxis available for the temple.

16. Dwarkadhish Temple

Dwarkadhish Temple also known as Jagat Mandir is a part of the Char Dham Yatra and is among the most famous temples in India. There are two doors in the temple, one for entry which is called Swarg Dwar (a doorway to heaven) and another for exit which is called Moksha Dwar (a doorway to liberation). The temple is believed to be in the city built by Lord Krishna himself which later got submerged by the sea. The temple was built by Vajranabha around 2500 years ago with sand and limestone.

• Location: Dwarka, Gujarat
• Timings: 6 am to 1 pm and 5 pm to 9:30 pm
• Best time to visit: October to April
• How to reach: Dwarka (2.1 km) is the nearest railway station. There are regular rickshaws and buses available for the temple.

17. Shani Shingnapur Temple

Shani Shingnapur is a Lord Shani temple in Maharashtra famous for its Jeet Devasthan (alive temple) idol. There are no locks and doors in the village of the temple as there is a belief that Lord Shani will protect them. One of the most mysterious temples in India, it welcomes thousands of visitors every day. The idol in the temple is Swayambhu which means Lord Shani himself resides in the black stone.

• Location: Nevasa Taluka, Maharashtra
• Timings: 24 hours open
• Best time to visit: October to February
• How to reach: The nearest railway stations are Rahuri (32 km) and Ahmednagar (35 km). There are regular taxis and buses available for the temple.

18. Amarnath Cave Temple

Amarnath Cave Temple is a Lord Shiva temple where the deity is believed to be in the Shivaling made of ice. The temple is located at a height of 3,888 m and it takes 3-5 days of trekking to reach the temple. The cave is believed to be 5,000 years old and the trek is only accessible in the summer months as the cave is covered with snow for the rest of the year. It is among the most popular Lord Shiva temples in India.

• Location: Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir
• Timings: 6 am to 6 pm
• Best time to visit: May to September
• How to reach: The trek to the temple starts from Baltal, there are regular bus and taxi services from Pahalgam to reach the starting point of the trek.

19. Vaishno Devi Temple

Vaishno Devi temple is one of the most popular pilgrimages in India. It is one of the Shakti Peeths and is dedicated to Vaishno which is a manifestation of Goddess Durga. The temple is surrounded by beautiful hills and there is a trek of around 20 km to reach the temple. It is believed that the Goddess fulfils all the requests of a true devotee as it is among the most historical temples in India.

• Location: Katra, Jammu and Kashmir
• Timings: 5 am to 12 pm and 4 pm to 9 pm
• Best time to visit: February to June and September to November
• How to reach: The nearest railway stations are Katra and Jammu. The trek starts from Katra.

20. Shirdi Sai Baba Temple

Shirdi Sai Baba Temple is the Samadhi (burial) of Sai Baba, a saint famous for magical powers and teachings. The temple was built in 1922 after the death of Sai Baba. Around 25,000 devotees visit the temple every day. The temple complex is spread over an area of 220 sq. km. and has all the facilities. It is among the most important temples in India for the devotees of Sai Baba.

• Location: Shirdi, Maharashtra
• Timings: 5 am to 12 pm and 4 pm to 9 pm
• Best time to visit: June to February
• How to reach: The nearest railway station is Sainagar Shirdi. There are regular taxis and buses available to reach the temple.
• Places to Stay: Hotels in Shirdi

21. Shri Padmanabhaswamy Temple

Shri Padmanabhaswamy Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It is one of the richest temples in India, as there are vaults inside the temple filled with diamond and gold jewellery, idols, and coins. It is believed that the origin of the temple is more than 5,000 years ago and it is also mentioned in the Bhagavad Gita. There is a strict dress code for men and women to be followed before entering the temple.

• Location: Trivandrum, Kerala
• Timings: 3:30 am to 4:45 am and 6:30 pm to 7:20 pm
• Best time to visit: October to February
• How to reach: The nearest railway station is Thiruvananthapuram (600 m). You can walk to the temple. Rikshaws are also available.
• Places to Stay: Hotels in Trivandrum

22. Murudeshwar Temple

Murudeshwar Temple has the second-highest statue of Lord Shiva in the world. The temple is surrounded by Kanduka Hill and the Arabian Sea. Murudeshwara temple is adorned with detailed stone carvings which makes it a must-visit place for those who admire great architecture. The statue of Murudeshwar is 123 feet in height and the main deity in the temple is Sri Mridesa Linga. Murudeshwar temple is one of the most famous temples in South India.

• Location: Murudeshwar, Karnataka
• Timings: 3 am to 1 pm and 3 pm to 8 pm
• Best time to visit: October to February
• How to reach: The nearest railway station is Murudeshwar (1 km). You can walk to reach the temple. Rikshaws and taxis are also available.

23. Belur Math

Belur Math is the headquarters of the Ramakrishna Mission founded by Swami Vivekananda. The temple has distinctive architecture showcasing the cultures of Hinduism, Christianity, and Islam. The Math is spread on over 40 acres land on the banks of the Hooghly River. The complex has various educational institutions and museums that have the information and the history of the Ramakrishna Mission.

• Location: Kolkata, West Bengal
• Timings: 6 am to 9 pm
• Best time to visit: September to March
• How to reach: The nearest railway station is Howrah (4 km). Cabs and rikshaws are available to reach the temple.
• Places to Stay: Hotels in Kolkata

24. Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple

Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple is a modern architectural marvel with a resemblance to ancient Indian architecture making it among the top 10 temples in India. The temple has 20,000 deities along with the 11 feet idol of Swaminarayan. The temple has moving robotic statues, stone carvings, exhibitions, movies, and an amazing light and sound show in the evening.

• Location: Delhi
• Timings: 9:30 am to 9 pm (Monday closed)
• Best time to visit: October to April
• How to reach: The nearest railway station is New Delhi. Rikshaws, taxis, and buses are available to reach the temple.

25. Dilwara Temples

Surrounded by the Aravalli Hills, Dilwara Temple is a Jain pilgrimage site in Mount Abu, Rajasthan. The temple was built in the 11th and 13th century by Vimal Shah. The site is world-renowned for its architecture with intricately detailed carvings. Dilwara temple has 48 pillars with carvings showcasing different dance forms and postures.

• Location: Mount Abu, Rajasthan
• Timings: 10 am to 6 pm
• Best time to visit: October to March
• How to reach: The nearest railway station is Abu Road. Taxis and buses are available to reach the temple.

FAQs

Q. Which is the No 1 temple in India?

A. Some of the most famous temples in India are Kedarnath, Kashi Vishwanath temple, Golden Temple, ISKCON temples, Tirupati Balaji temple, and Vaishno Devi.

Q. What are some old temples in India?

A. Some of the old temples in India are Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Amarnath Cave, Meenakshi Temple, Sanchi Stupa, and Dilwara Temples.

Q. Which is known as the city of temples in India?

A. Bhubaneswar in Odisha is a city of temples in India.

Q. What are the best temples in India?

A. Some of the ancient temples in India are Dilwara temples, Kashi Vishwanath temple, Sanchi Stupa, and Shani Shingnapur temple.

Q. What are the sun temples in India?

A. The top 10 famous temples in India dedicated to the sun are Sun Temple Konark, Sun Temple Modhera, Sun Temple Martand, Sun Temple Gwalior, Balaji Sun Temple Unao, Sun Temple Ranchi, Sun Temple Katarmal, Surya Pahar Temple Assam, Sun Temple Domlur, Sun Temple Gaya.