5 spectacular temples of Incredible India

“Temples are an expression of God's love.” - Jean A. Stevens, religious leader

India, a famously spiritual destination, is home to some absolutely spectacular temples. These stunning places of worship, some of which date back to ancient times, are architectural marvels that narrate the local beliefs and culture. Enchanting sights, sounds and smells envelop visitors while the inner sanctum welcomes one to grab some moments of peace before returning to the chaotic world’s reality. With over two million temples dotting the country’s length and breadth, it is quite a task to cherry-pick the most spectacular temples of them all, but here is our attempt to highlight some of the must-visit temples in India:

1. Konark Sun Temple, Konark, Odisha

One of the finest examples of Kalinga architecture, the Konark Sun Temple, was built in the 13th century. It is dedicated to the Hindu Sun God, Surya, and is designed in the form of a chariot. Carved from stone, the temple features 12 pairs of exquisitely decorated wheels with seven horses in the lead. Its structure and elements are renowned for their intricate artwork, iconography and various themes.

2. Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu

The gorgeous Meenakshi Amman Temple is located on the banks of the Vaigai River in Madurai. It is dedicated to the Goddess Meenakshi, a form of Parvati, and was mentioned in texts dating back to the 6th century. Sitting in the center of the historic temple city, it’s renowned for its 14 gopurams or monumental entrance towers, which feature breathtaking and colourful murals. The 985 richly carved pillars in the Thousand-Pillared Hall make this a must-see temple.

3. Chennakeshava Temple, Belur, Karnataka

Dedicated to a form of the Hindu God Vishnu, this temple is a fine example of Hoysala architecture. The Hoysalas ruled Karnataka from the 10th to 14th century. The architectural marvel is known for the main temple’s star-shaped structure, richly designed pillars and over 600 elephants carved on its outer wall. The ornate ceilings, beautiful sculptures and opulently carved walls give a glimpse of 12th-century life and depict scenes from several Hindu texts.

4. Ranakpur Jain Temple, Pali, Rajasthan

This marbled wonder is located in Ranakpur, a small town about 90 km from Udaipur. A local businessman built the temple in the 15th century in reverence of the first Jain spiritual teacher Adinath. The temple has 29 halls and is believed to have 1,444 marble pillars which are known to be impossible to count. Each ornately carved pillar is distinct from the other and laid out to give an unobstructed view of the sanctum.

5. Sri Harmandir Sahib, Amritsar, Punjab

Sri Harmandir Sahib, popularly known as the Golden Temple, is the holiest temple (Gurdwara) for Sikhs. As the name suggests, it is coated with gold foil. The structure, which sits in the middle of a manmade pool, is a mesmerising harmony of Hindu and Muslim architectural elements. The most beautiful part of this shrine is that people from all walks of life and faiths are welcome here. It also hosts the Langar, a community-run kitchen that serves free meals to every visitor.

India’s temples reflect the country’s incredible cultural and spiritual essence. Visit them to take a journey back in time and reconnect with yourself.