With the largest Hindu population in the world, India is blessed with myriads of Hindu temples -known for its sculpture, architectural style, and arts. These temples remind us about the architectural brilliance of the craftsmen of the bygone eras. In this blog, we will discuss some of the most amazing ancient temples in the country.
1. Annamalaiyar Temple
Annamalaiyar Temple one of the biggest temples in South India is located at the pedestal of the Annamalai Hills in the city of Thiruvannamalai, Tamilnadu. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, this temple spans an area of 25 acres with 9 corridors and 9 towers.
The significance of the Temple:
The majestic towers, broad quadrangles, huge rampart walls, vast gateways and extensive mandapams sets the temple apart from the rest of the temples in the country.
2. Venkateswara Temple:
Located in the town of Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, the Venkateswara Temple also called as Kaliyuga Vaikuntham is a Vaishnavite temple. With millions of people visiting this temple, it is one of the wealthiest temples in the world. The temple is dedicated to Lord Sri Venkateswara is known by many other names including Balaji, Srinivasa, and Govinda. The temple is believed to have constructed in the early 300 A.D. The spiritual merit one will acquire by a pilgrimage to this temple is mentioned in Asthadasa Puranas and Rig Veda.
The significance of the Temple:
Venkateswara Temple draws millions of devotees from different parts of the world.
Various activities take place every day in the temple including hair tonsuring, prasadham, arjitha seva, thulabharam and hundi.
3. Meenakshi Temple:
Situated on the banks of the Vaigai river, the Meenakshi Temple is one of the most important temples of India dedicated to Goddess, Parvati also called as Meenakshi. The temple has incredible architecture and has been nominated for the new Seven Wonders of the World.
The significance of the Temple:
Every year thousands of devotees come to pay their homage to the Goddess and also to admire its Dravidian style architecture.
The Chithirai Festival celebrated for 12 days in the month of April / May is one of the most important religious celebration held at the Meenakshi Amman Temple.
4. Sabarimala Sree Ayyappa Temple
Dedicated to Lord Ayyappa, the Sabarimala Sree Ayyappa Temple is one of the most popular Sastha temples in the Indian state of Kerela. As the temple is located 4000 feet above sea level on a hilltop named Sabarimala, devotees walk barefoot through the dense forest to reach the shrine.
The significance of the Temple:
The temple is open for all – irrespective of religion, creed or caste.
The shrine has 18 holy steps also called Pathinettu thripadikal. Climbing these steps are considered to be sacred and believed to take the worshipper closer to self-realization.
5. Palani Murugan Temple
Situated in the town of Palani in the Palani Arulmigu Shri Dhandayuthapani temple is one of the six abodes of Lord Murugan. Belonging to the 9th century, this ancient temple has 38 sub-temples associated with it. The deity of the 2000-year-old temple called as Dandayudhapani Swami is made out of nine minerals commonly called Navabashana.
The significance of the Temple:
Vaikasi Vishakam, Kandha-Sasti,Tirukkarttikai, Panguniuttiram and Thai-Pusam are some festivals celebrated in this temple.
The temple is closely referred with Panchamirtam, a mixture of five things (honey, yogurt, ghee, jaggery, honey and milk) usually distributed as prasad.
