Holiest Temples in India

Hinduism has around 900 million followers around the world and thus finding Hindu Temples in abundance in the country shouldn’t be a surprise. There are lakhs of Hindu temples in the country. Some of them are as ancient as the land itself. Hindu temples have been built in a wide variety of styles that have amazed the onlookers. Worshippers have taken great care of their ancestral heritage and therefore, ages old these temples still stand unharmed by the ravages of time.

Considering the long list of temples in India, it is impossible to choose ten from the lot. Choosing the best can sometimes offend those whose favorite is not included in the list. Yet today, I have tried to jot down the names of ten temples, which according to me, can be regarded as the top ten owing to their popularity, strong faith, history and architectural importance. So, here it goes-

1. Kashi Vishwanath

Location: Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh

Dedicated to Lord Shiva, it is one of the holiest temples of India. The temple was built by Ahilyabai in 1780 and today its holds utmost importance for the Hindus who believe that a bath in the Holy River Ganga can liberate one from all the sins.

2. Lord Jagannath Temple

Location: Puri, Odisha

Housing about 120 shrines in its huge structure, Lord Jagannath Temple is one of the oldest temples in India. It was built in the 12th century and is popular for its annual Rath Yatra. Pilgrims believe that Mahaprasad served here is scrutinized by Goddess Lakshmi and those who have it attain spiritual advancement.

3. Venkateshwara Tirupati Balaji

Location: Andhra Pradesh

With around 40 million annual visitors, Tirupati Balaji deems as the most visited temple in India. It is also the second richest temple of the country. It was built under the rule of Krishnadeva Raya. On special occasions, the number of pilgrims visiting the temple in a day mounts up to 5 lacs.

4. Vaishno Devi Temple

Location: Jammu

Situated at the top of a hill, it is one of the notable Hindu Temples in India. It is dedicated to Shakti and is the second most visited temple in the country with an annual footfall of around 8 million devotees.

5. Somnath Temple

Location: Gujarat

Somnath Temple has been revered as the first jyotirlinga of Lord Shiva and it is said to have been built by the Moon God after Lord Shiva freed him from the curse of waning. The temple has been restored several times since then.

6. Kamakhya Temple

Location: Assam

Dedicated to Goddess Kamakhya, this temple is one of the oldest of the 51 Shakti Pithas. It is the most important pilgrimage for the Tantric Worshippers. As a form of worship, goats are offered to the Goddess by the devotees who believe that Kamakhya is the yielder of all desires.

7. Mahabodhi Temple Complex

Location: Bihar

This is the holy place where Lord Buddha attained enlightenment and thus it stands as the most revered sites for the Buddhists. Recognized as a world heritage site by the UNESCO, the Mahabodhi temple is visited by both Hindus and Buddhists from all over the world.

8. Siddhivinayak Temple

Location: Maharashtra

Built in the year 1801, Siddhivinayak temple is a prominent temple of Lord Ganesha. The inner roof of the temple complex is plated with gold and the wooden doors are carved with the images of Ashtavinayaka.

9. Ramnathaswamy Temple (Rameshwaram)

Location: Tamil Nadu

One of the most popular temples of the south, Ramnathaswamy temple is the abode of Lord Shiva. It is also among the twelve jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva in the country. There are two lingas inside the sanctum; one built by Goddess Sita and the other was brought by Lord Hanuman.

10. Shirdi Sai Baba Temple

Location: Maharashtra

It is the holy shrine of Sai Baba and the also the third richest temple of India. Shirdi is the land of Sai baba, therefore, it is considered to be a pilgrimage for his followers. Millions of devotees, irrespective of their religion, flock to the temple every year. Donations as high as Rs.350 crores are offered at the temple annually.