List of Largest Temples in India
There are numerous religions practiced on the Indian subcontinent, with Hinduism being the most well-known. In India, temple construction started in caves circa 400 BC. The temples made of stone gave way to brick and wood constructions over time. Indians in antiquity were said to revere deities like Shiva, Vishnu, and Brahma. The discovery of these gods' artifacts in cave temples demonstrates how long idol worship has been a part of religious belief systems. They have been worshipped in many names and fashions throughout India's history, according to shifting societal norms. In the past, Indian temples served as hubs for social and cultural activities. Large areas of their territory are devoted to temples. A few succeeded in holding 150 acres. Multiple enclosures called 'prakaras' encircle the temples. They encircled the temple's inner sanctum. The main shrines in India are the subject of this article.
List of Largest Temples in India:
Table of Contents:
1. Meenakshi Amman Temple in Madurai.
2. Thillai Nataraja Temple in Chidambaram.
3. Brihadeeswaralayam in Thanjavur.
4. Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple in Srirangam.
5. Belur Math, Kolkata.
6. Nelaiyappar Temple in Tirunelveli.
7. Annamalaiyar Temple in Tiruvannamalai.
8. Sripuram Golden Temple in Vellore.
9. Jagannath Temple in Puri.
10. Jambukeshwara Temple at Thiruvanaikaval.
11. Vaitheswaran Koli Temple in Sirkaji.
12. Birla Mandir in Delhi.
13. Akshardham in Delhi.
14. Tiruvarur Thyagarajaswamy Temple in Tiruvarur.
1. Meenakshi Amman Temple in Madurai:
In the beautiful city of temples in Madurai, the Meenakshi Amman Temple is 170 feet tall and has 14 gopurams. This majestic temple is known as Meenakshi Sundareswara Temple, which are alternate names for Parvati and Lord Shiva. Madurai, the city of temples, began its existence 25,000 years ago with this sacred structure. In the temple of the gods, there are two golden planes with structure. According to research, it is estimated that 15,000 people visit the temple every day and on Friday, this number increased to 25,000. The temple is famous for its 30,000 sculptures.
Highlights:
Address: Madurai Main, Madurai, Tamil Nadu 625001
Timings: 5 AM to 12.30 PM, 4 PM to 9.30 PM
Dress Code: Traditional dress code.
Approximate Visit Duration: 2-3 hours
How to reach: It is just 2 km from Madurai Railway Station.
Site of the Temple: N/A
Best time to visit: Navratri and all important Hindu festivals.
Site of the Temple: N/A
Museum and Golden Lotus Tank are further attractions.
2. Chidambaram's Thillai Nataraja Temple:
One of the biggest temples in India is the Thillai Nataraja Temple, located near Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu. Thillai Koothan, also known as Nataraja, was the temple's ruling god starting in the 12th century. There is a full line of Saiva temples that start with this one. One of the five traditional components, called Akash (Ether), or the Pancha Bootha Sthalamas, is Chidambaram. This temple has a number of festivities all through the year.
Standouts:
Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu 608001 is the address.
Hours: 06:30 AM to 10:45 PM
Wear only traditional clothing.
The visit will last about two to three hours.
How to reach: The nearest airport Puducherry is just 51 km away. Chidambaram is home to the railway station and taxis are available to the temple
Temple Website: N/A
Best time to visit: Arudra Darshan
Additional attractions: The temple has magnificent sculptures, as well as ancient Thillai trees.
3. Brihadeeswaralayam in Thanjavur:
Brihadeeswara Temple in Thanjavur is one of the largest temples in India, built in 1010 AD by Emperor Raja Raja Chola I. Lord Shiva is the presiding deity in the Brihadishwar temple. The temple also houses the worship of Ashta-Deepalakas who are the guardians of various directions like Indra, Agni, Yama, Nirrti, Varuna, Vayu Kubera and East. A large Nandi idol or a sacred bull made of stone can be found near the entrance of the temple. It is also the largest Shiva temple in India.
Highlights:
Address: Membalam Rd, Balaganapati Nagar, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu 613007
Timings: 6AM-12:30PM, 4-8:30PM
Costume Code: Classic dress
Approximate Visit Duration: 2-3 hours
How to reach: Puducherry is the nearest airport at a distance of 138 km. A large number of trains are connected at Thanjavur railway station. You can also take connecting buses to Thanjavur Junction.
Temple Website: N/A
Best time to visit: Mahashivratri Night Dance Festival
Other attractions: Apart from visiting the temples, make sure you bring home the famous Thanjavur dolls.
4. Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple in Srirangam:
Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple is located in Srirangam and is one of the most important temples in India. It is surrounded by seven concentric walls or ramparts and has 21. It is home to 49 shrines, each of which is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. However, the entire temple was not intended to be used as a religious center. Three of the seven concentric walls are used to house private commercial establishments such as restaurants, hotels, residential properties, etc.
Highlights:
Address: Srirangam, Tiruchirappalli - 620 006.
Timings: 3 AM to 10 PM
Dress code: Traditional dress
Approximate Visit Duration: 2-3 hours
How to reach there: Srirangam railway station is connected by buses to all major cities.
Temple Website: https://srirangam.org/
Best time to visit: Jeshtabhishekam, Oonjal, Pavitratsavam
Other attractions: The temple serves delicious food to around 200 devotees every day.
5. Belur Math in Kolkata:
The Belur Math is located on the west bank of the Hooghly River in Belur, on the outskirts of Kolkata. Kolkata is the home of the Ramakrishna Math and Mission founded by Swami Vivekananda, one of the main followers of Ramakrishna Paramahamsa. It is known for its architecture that combines Hindu, Christian and Islamic symbols to symbolize the unity between all religions.
Highlights:
Address: Belur, Howrah, West Bengal 711202
Timings: 6AM-12PM, 4-9PM
COSTUME CODE: Classic dress
Approximate Visit Duration: 2-3 hours
How to reach: Around 25 minutes drive from Kolkata Airport
Temple Website: https://belurmath.org/
Best time to visit: All important Hindu festivals
Additional attractions: Ramakrishna Samadhi, Museum and many more sub-shrines
6. Nelaiyappar Temple in Tirunelveli:
Ellayappar Temple or Arulmigu Swami Nellayappar as well as Arultharum Kantimati Temple are located in the old capital city of Tirunelveli. It was built around 3000 years ago. It is famous for its intricate pillars and other amazing sculptural beauty. It was built with the efforts of Mulutukanda Rama Pandian. It is home to Somavara Mandapa, a 1,000-pillared hall. The temple hosts the oldest car festival in the world.
Highlights:
Address: 162, E Carr Street, Tirunelveli Town, Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu 627006
Timings: 6:15 AM to 9:00 PM
Dress code: Traditional dress
Approximate Visit Duration: 1-2 hours
How to reach: The nearest airport is Tuticorin, which is 49 km from the temple.
Temple Website: N/A
Best time to visit: It is generally recommended to visit between October and February. Thirukalyanam,
Other attractions: There are beautiful architecture and temple inscriptions.
7. Annamalaiyar Temple in Tiruvannamalai:
Annamalaiyar Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located on the Annamalai Hills in Tiruvannamalai town. It is considered to be the second largest temple in terms of space dedicated for religious use. At its four corners are four high bastions, imposing and high stone walls resembling the ramparts of a fort. It also houses the Rajagopuram, an 11-tiered eastern gopuram. The walls are strong and the temple has fortified walls pierced with four gopuram entrances.
Highlights:
Address: Pavajakundur, Thiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu 606601
Timings: 5:30AM-12:30PM and 3:30-9:30PM
Costume Code: Classic dress
Approximate duration of visit: 2 - 3 hours
How to reach: Chennai airport is 200 km from the temple.
Temple Website: http://www.arunachaleswarartemple.tnhrce.in/
Best time to visit: Kartikamasam
Other attractions: Ramana Maharshi Ashram
8. Sripuram Golden Temple in Vellore:
Sripuram Golden Temple is a spiritual garden in the middle of a small range of green hills in a small town called Malaikodi in Vellore town. It is located in the southern part of Vellore and is known as Tirumalaikodi. The golden temple in Sripuram is Lakshmi Narayan Temple or Mahalakshmi Temple, whose 'vimana' as well as Ardhamandapam are covered with gold inside and outside.
Highlights:
Address: Sri Narayani Peetham, Sri Puram, Tirumalai Kodi, Vellore, Tamil Nadu 632055
Timings: 4:00 AM to 7:15 AM
Costume Code: Classic dress
Approximate Visit Duration: 1-2 hours
How to reach: Tirupati is the main city at a distance of 137 km by road. Many direct trains run from Tirupati to Vellore.
Temple Website: www.sripuram.org/
Best time to visit: Navratri Maha Utsav
Other attractions: Beautiful views of the temple
9. Jagannath Temple in Puri:
Sri Jagannath Temple located in the city of Puri is one of the famous Hindu temples dedicated to Lord Jagannath also known as Vishnu. It is a major pilgrimage for Hindus as Char Dham is one of the holy places. It was built in the 12th century. The presiding deities are Jagannath and the presiding deities of Balabhadra and Subhadra. The temple's annual Rath Yatra is also known as Rathotsavam.
Highlights:
Address: Puri, Odisha
Timings: 5:15 AM to 6:30 PM
Dress code: Traditional dress
Approximate Visit Duration: 1-2 hours
How to reach there: It is 60 km from Bhubaneswar Airport.
Temple Website: www.jagannathtemplepuri.com
Best time to visit: Ratha Yatra
Additional attractions: Food served in the temple.
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