Unlike the Hindu shrines in other parts
of India, what makes the temples in South India unique is their grand
structure, done beautifully in Vijaya Nagara and Dravidian architectural
styles. In the southern part of the country, you will find numerous
temples with absolutely stunning works of art, all dedicated to the
different gods as a form of devotion and prayer, making these Hindu
temples places where a plethora of devotees throng from the world over.
Each shrine in South India, irrespective of its location displays fine
artwork not only in the interiors but also on its tall and intricately
worked upon Gopurams.
For instance, the exquisite decor of the popular Sabarimala Sastha
Temple in Sabarimala is simply breathtaking, or the colorful facade of
Meenakshi Temple in Madurai, which is simply divine! The richness of South India
temples does not limit itself to just the architecture but is
absolutely filled with spirituality and devotion where millions of
devotees gather to pay respect to the holy figures. You can expect to
witness the interesting rituals like hair offering or tonsuring to Lord
Venkateswara, or performing a ritualistic dance at certain temples in
the region.
We can surely say that, there is no shortage of temples to tour in
the South Indian states where you can visit to revitalize your soul and
spirit with the blessings of the gods. We have compiled a list of 50
must visit temples in South India that will help you make your
pilgrimage travel to this part of the country even better.
Popular Must-Visit Temples in Kerala, South India
- Vadakkunnathan Temple
- Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple
- Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple
- Sabarimala Sastha Temple
- Attukal Bhagavathy Temple
- Sree Krishna Temple
- Thirunelli Temple
- Sivagiri Mutt
- Vaikom Mahadeva Temple
- Sree Vallabha Temple
Vadakkunnathan Temple: A classically built temple of Lord Shiva and the ancient artworks of Thrissur
The Vadakkunnathan Temple in Thrissur
is a temple dedicated to the worship of Lord Shiva. Been in existence
for centuries, the temple is built in the classical style of Kerala
architecture with four gopurams or towers on each side of the structure.
When visiting Thrissur, this temple is a place that you must visit. Set
amid the lush garden, the temple is located in the center of the town.
Here, you can explore the exquisite collection of artworks and mural
paintings that display the episodes from the puranas.
Apart from the idol of Lord Shiva, the temple also houses idols of
Goddess Parvati, Lord Ganesha, Lord Shankaranarayana, and Lord Rama. In
the outer temple area of the Vadakkunnathan Temple, there are also
shrines dedicated to Lord Krishna, Nandikeshwara, Parasurama, Simhodara,
Ayyappa (Sastha), and Sankaracharya. This temple in Thrissur is a
popular one and is most visited by devotees during its annual
celebration of the Thrissur Pooram Festival, organized at a grand scale.
The festival sees a majestic display of elephants who stand adorning
fancy caparisons and parasols and are one of the highlights of the
occasion. Thrissur Pooram also witnesses the sounds of traditional
percussion instruments and a beautiful display of fireworks.
- Main Deity: Lord Shiva
- Place: Thrissur
- Highlight: Pooram Festival celebrated in the months of April and May.
Also Read: Thrissur Travel Guide
Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple: Get engulfed by the grandiose temple of Lord Krishna in Aranmula
The Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple in Kerala
is one of its must-visit temples, dedicated to Lord Krishna, the eighth
incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Here, you’ll find that Lord Krishna is
referred to as Parthasarathy which is so because of his role in the epic
tale of Mahabharata. As per the legend, the Aranmula Parthasarathy
Temple gets its name for the fact that the idol inside the temple was
brought here in a raft made up of six pieces of bamboo, where “Aru”
means six and “Mula” means bamboo. Built along the Pamba River, the
temple is located in the Pathanamthitta district of Kerala.
Apart from adoring the architecture of the temple, you can also
attend the Valla Sadya, and witness the traditional snake boat race that
takes place in the Pamba River during the festival of Onam. The temple
is built in the traditional style of Kerala architecture and features
beautiful wooden carvings all along the temple that depict tales from
the Hindu epics of Mahabharata and Ramayana. Today, the temple also
focuses on preserving the state’s culture by conducting classes for
classical music, dance, and Kerala’s traditional martial arts, the
Kalaripayattu.
- Main Deity: Lord Krishna (incarnation of Vishnu)
- Place: Aranmula
- Highlight: Valla Sadya is held at Aranmula in Parthasarathy Temple during Ashtami Rohini (Krishna Janmashtami) in the month of September.
Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple: Be amazed unraveling the story of the temple and its six hidden vaults
Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple at Kerala
is another temple that has been in existence for ages, going back as
far as the 8th century. The temple is one of the most popular Hindu
temples in the region and is said to be the richest temple in the world.
Built in a Dravidian style of temple architecture, the temple’s gopuram
is seven storeys tall and has seven golden domes on the top, meant to
represent the seven worlds.
Apart from its beauty, what captivates people most about the temple
is the legendary stories attached to it. The temple has six underground
vaults which have been marked as A, B, C, D, E, and F. Out of these,
only five vaults have been opened till date from which precious items of
gold, and gems were discovered. The only vault which hasn’t been opened
is vault B, considered to be highly mysterious and is warned not to be
opened by any human force, which according to the temple authorities is
not auspicious and may bring ruin. What lies behind vault B continues to
remain a mystery, with opinions ranging from snakes, supernatural
entities, and an option where it is said to open directly into the
Arabian Sea, bringing catastrophe with it if opened.
- Main Deity: Lord Vishnu
- Place: Trivandrum
- Highlight: Padmanabhaswamy Temple is known for having a
mysterious door that no one can open. The two festivals of Alpashy
(October/November) and Panguni (March/April)
Also Read: Must Visit Places in Kerala
Sabarimala Temple: Let your senses be spiritually awakened in South
Sabarimala Sastha Temple
of the Sabarimala Sree Dharma Sastha Temple is one of the more popular
temples in the region and is dedicated to Lord Ayappa, a prominent deity
of southern India. Every year crowds of devotees take up a pilgrimage
to the temple and to immerse themselves in the spirituality of the
temple. Entry to the temple is only restricted to men, girls who have
not attained puberty, and post-menopausal women.
The temple is located on a hilltop at a height of 3,000 ft. in the
Pathanamthitta district of Kerala and allows visitors from all
religions. Though, for visiting the temple, it is required that devotees
sanctify themselves by practicing celibacy for a period of 41 days
prior to the visit. Located in the blissful surrounding of the Periyar
Tiger Reserve, visitors come here to witness and be a part of the mass
pilgrimage performed. It is said that this temple receives around 30
million pilgrims annually. The pilgrimage season starts from November to
mid-January with the Mandala Pooja and Makaravilakku being the main
events with the temple remaining closed for the rest of the year except
on the first five days of every month of the Malayalam calendar and on
the festival of Vishu.
- Main Deity: Lord Ayyappa
- Place: Sabarimala, Pathanamthitta District
- Highlight: It hosts one of the largest annual pilgrimages in the world with devotees coming from the nearby southern Indian states
Also Read: Top Places to Visit in Munnar Kerala
Attukal Bhagavathy Temple: Admire the meld of Tamil and Kerala style architecture in Trivandrum
Displaying an authentic blend of both Kerala and Tamil architectural wonder, this colorful temple of Attukal Bhagavathy
is yet another famous place of worship in the state of Kerala. While
the interiors house the most attractive sight, the idol of the Goddess
Bhadra Kali, the deity of the temple sits completely adorned with gold
ornaments with the exteriors of the temple all carved with beautiful
sculptures that cover the temple, making it stand out beautifully.
Goddess Bhadrakali worshiped at the temple is known for being both, a
creator as well as destroyer of life and is considered in high
reverence by the devotees. The Attukal Bhagavathy Temple is also known
as the Sabarimala of Women since it is women that form the major number
of devotees. The temple sees the most crowds during the festival of
Pongala, where women come to celebrate the festival from different parts
of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. The festival is a 10 day affair with the
celebration involving cooking the Pongala in the premises of the temple
under the open air. The Pongala celebrations at the temple are held at a
grand scale, with it even being recorded in the Guinness Book of World
Records for being the largest annual gathering of women in the world.
- Main Deity: Goddess Bhadrakali (Kannaki)
- Place: Trivandrum
- Highlight: The annual 10-day Attukal Pongala Festival is held
between Feb to March and it also holds a Guinness Book of World Records
for having the largest gathering of women.
Also Read: Top Hill Stations to Visit in Kerala
Sree Krishna Temple: Pray and seek blessings of one of the oldest idols of Lord Vishnu in Guruvayoor
Also referred to as the “Dwarka of the South”, the Sree Krishna Temple in Guruvayoor
is one of the most visited Krishna temples in the whole of Kerala
attracting devotees from across the country for its marvelous
architecture and rich history. Situated in the Thrissur district of the
state, the temple is dedicated to the worship of Lord Krishna and Lord
Vishnu. Lord Krishna at the temple is worshiped as Lord Guruvayurappan, a
form of his with four arms. One arm holds a conch, another holds the
Sudarshana Chakra, Kaumodaki in the third arm, and the last one holding a
lotus.
The Sree Krishna Temple is built in the Dravidian style of
architecture and portrays a beautiful blend of the traditional
architectural style of Kerala. The centuries-old temple stands adorned
with multiple murals belonging to as far as the 17th century, making
visiting the temple a truly magical experience. One of the ceremonies,
the Thulabharam is a popular offering at the temple, where devotees
present offerings of bananas, jaggery, and coconut equivalent to their
weight by getting weighed on a giant scale and offering it to the temple
with the most auspicious time to visit the Sree Krishna Temple during
the festival of Janmashtami, on the occasion of the birth of Lord
Krishna.
- Main Deity: Lord Vishnu (Worshiped in the form of Guruvayurappan)
- Place: Guruvayoor
- Highlight: In the vicinity of the temple, there is a
pond/tank where it is believed Lord Shiva and his family worshiped
Vishnu and is therefore considered to be sacred.
Also Read: Top Things to Do in Wayanad
Thirunelli Temple: Seat yourself in the lap of religious affair in Wayanad amid calm settings in Brahmagiri Hills
Surrounded by the Brahmagiri hills and a shimmering nearby holy
stream of Papanasini, Thirunelli Temple is one of the most popular
religious sites amongst the Hindu followers in Kerala. Linked with
legends and folklore, the temple’s primary deity is Lord Vishnu.
Offering a beautiful display of Kerala’s traditional architecture, the Thirunelli Temple
is adorned with intricately carved pillars that further add to its
beauty. The mesmerizing Thirunelli Temple is also called the “Sahyamala
Kshetram” and is often lovingly referred to as the “Kashi of the South”.
According to the legend surrounding the temple, it is said to have
been built by Lord Brahma himself. The beauty of the Brahmagiri Hills is
what made Lord Brahma descend to the region, upon which he saw an idol
of Lord Vishnu lying under an amla tree (nelli in malayalam) with which he established a temple at the spot. The nelli or
the amla tree is what is said to give the temple its name. The temple
is popular with devotees who come here to perform ancestral rites and
rituals, which are performed at the banks of the Papanasini stream,
located near the temple. The Thirunelli Temple and its surrounding
village is also a favored place for trekkers given its scenic beauty and
high terrain.
- Main Deity: Lord Vishnu
- Place: Wayanad Valley
- Highlight: The holy temple pond, Panchatheertham and the holy stream, Papanasini where pilgrims bathe to eradicate evil.
Also Read: Best Places to Visit in Kovalam
Sivagiri Mutt: Explore the multi-tiered temple dedicated to Goddess Saraswati in Varkala
At a close distance from the main town of Varkala, you can spot the Sivagiri Mutt
which is one of the popular pilgrimage sites in Kerala. This pilgrimage
center is noted to be not only a holy destination in Kerala but it also
serves as the headquarters to Sree Narayana Dharma Sangham, established
by the social reformer and philosopher, Sree Narayan Guru. The
multi-tiered mutt is white in color and stands out from other temples of
the region. The Sivagiri Mutt is also the final resting place of Sree
Narayana Guru and also displays his residence and personal belongings,
attracting a number of tourists to the place.
The Sivagiri Sarada Temple of Sivagiri Mutt is a temple dedicated to
Goddess Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge, wisdom, and learning. The
temple is white in color and is octagonal in shape with white walls and
multiple windows, a design uncharacteristic of temples. The four-armed
goddess in the temple sits atop a lotus flower, with one arm carrying a
bird, a book in another, a pot full of nectar in the third arm, and the
fourth arm performing the chin mudra pose. The Sivagiri Temple sees the
most crowd during the annual pilgrimage that is performed between
December 30 and January 1.
- Main Deity: Goddess Saraswati
- Place: Varkala
- Highlight: The Sivagiri temple enshrines Sree Narayana Guru’s
tomb and hosts the annual celebration of Sri Narayana Jayanthi during
Aug/Sep.
Also Read: Best Places to Visit in Kumarakom
Vaikom Mahadeva Temple: Go for a spiritual tour in the most revered temple in Kerala in Varkala
Vaikom Mahadeva Temple
along with Ettumanoor Shiva Temple and Kaduthuruthy Thaliyil Mahadeva
Temple situated in the Kottayam district of Kerala form the most
powerful triad of Shiva temples in the region. It is said that, if you
seek blessing in these three temples before Ucha pooja, your wishes may
come true. Located in Vaikom, this revered temple is respected by both
the Shaivites and the Vaishnavites but worships the primary deity as
Lord Shiva.
An ancient temple, the Vaikom Mahadeva Temple is considered one of
the oldest temples in Kerala, with the Shiva Linga in the temple said to
date back to the time of the Treta Yuga and is the only temple in
Kerala with an oval-shaped Sreekovil or Garbhagriha. The beautiful
ancient temple of Lord Shiva is constructed majorly out of stone and
displays amazing craftsmanship. At Vaikom, Lord Shiva is lovingly
referred to as “Vaikathappan” or “The Lord of Vaikom”.
- Main Deity: Lord Shiva
- Place: Vaikom
- Highlight: Vaikom Ashtami is the most auspicious festival
held during Nov/Dec. The Shivling erected here is believed to be one of
the oldest in Kerala.
Also Read: Interesting Facts About Sabrimala Temple
Sree Vallabha Temple: Delve into a full day of mural exploration in the temple of Lord Sreevallabhan in Thiruvalla
One of the biggest temples in Kerala, Thiruvalla Temple
is famed for its architectural grandeur that boasts of an exquisite
collection of beautiful murals inside the temple and intricate design
stone-wooden carvings. Dedicated to the worship of Lord Vishnu as Sree
Vallabhan, this temple is located in Thiruvalla, in the Pathanamthitta
district of Kerala and dates back to as far as 400 years. The temple
lies along the banks of the River Manimala and has a flag mast that is
54 ft tall built by a legendary Perunthachan using a single block of
granite.
Constructed in the traditional Kerala style, the Sree Vallabha Temple
has four gopurams, each facing a different direction. The Sreekovil or
the garbhagriha of the temple is circular in shape and houses the idol
of Sree Vallabha facing in the east direction and the idol of Lord
Sudarshana facing west. Apart from them, there are eight other deities
worshiped in this temple such as Varadakshinamoorthy, Vadakkum Thevar,
Ganapathy, Garuda, Sastha, Kurayappan Swami, Ayal Yakshi, and Maya
Yakshi. It is believed that Lord Vallabha really likes Kathakali, due to
which it is performed almost all days at the temple as an offering by
the devotees to please the Lord.
- Main Deity: Lord Vishnu
- Place: Thiruvalla
- Highlight: Thiru Utsavam (Feb/March) and Uthira Sreebali (March/April) are two auspicious festivals celebrated here.
Other Interesting Blogs to Read
Must Explore Temples in Karnataka, Southern India
- Mahabaleshwar Temple
- Durga Temple
- Bhutanatha Temples
- Sri Krishna Temple
- Annapoorneshwari Temple
- Veera Narayana Temple
- Kukke Subramanya Temple
- Lakshminarayana Temple
- Murudeshwara Temple
- Kollur Mookambika Temple
Mahabaleshwar Temple: Explore the ancient temple of Lord Shiva of classical architectural style of the South
Completely built in a classical Dravidian style of architecture,
Mahabaleshwar Temple is located on the shores of the Arabian Sea in
Gokarna in worship of Lord Shiva. What makes this temple one of the most
sacred pilgrimage attractions in Karnataka is for the legendary stories
that unfold the history of its gods. One of them being where Ravana,
who was given the Atmalinga by Lord Shiva was forced to place it on the
ground at Gokarna, which he was hesitant about since the Atmalinga once
on the ground could not be picked up by anyone. And so, once the
Atmalinga was placed at the site, he was unable to pick it up, leading
the temple to be constructed in worship of Lord Shiva.
The Atmalinga at the temple is 6 ft. long and is worshiped ardently
by the devotees. It is during the festival of Ashta Bandana
Kumbhabhishekam that happens every 40 years that the Atmalinga is shown
to the devotees in its entirety, which remains hidden from them majorly
otherwise. The Mahabaleshwar Temple, along with the Atmalinga also has a
stone carved idol of Lord Shiva, said to date back to 1,500 years! Due
to its importance, and holiness, this temple in Karnataka is also known
as “Dakshin Kashi” or the “Kashi of South”.
- Main Deity: Lord Shiva
- Place: Gokarna
- Highlight: Mahabaleshwar temple has a small hole in the
center of the temple from where the devotees can see the top of the
Atmalinga. The deity inside is said to be more than 1500 years old.
Also Read: Popular Temples to Visit in Karnataka
Durga Temple: Discover the beautifully carved sculptures on the exteriors and witness the beautiful idol of the Goddess Durga in Aihole
Constructed between the 7th and 8th centuries, Aihole’s Durga Temple
is one of the oldest temple structures built on the banks of Malaprabha
River. Often visited by tourists, this shrine is adorned in a blend of
Dravidian, Nagara, and southern Mandapa style of architecture, with the
temple mainly built in the Gajaprastha style, and famed for its unique
semicircular apsis. The exteriors of the shrine from the elevated plinth
to the corridor have detailed sculptures of arts designed on it.
Even though the temple is called the Durga Temple, Goddess Durga is
not the primary deity of this temple in Karnataka, but is dedicated
mainly to Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva. In Kannada, the term “Durga/Durg”
means a fortress and since the temple was part of a larger fort complex,
the name was caught on and hence the temple came to be known as the
Durga Temple, though the temple does have a beautiful sculpture of the
goddess along with many other intricately carved sculptures that adorn
the walls, and ceilings of the temple.
- Main Deity:
- Place: Aihole
- Highlight: See the sculpture of Goddess Durga killing the
demon Mahishasura, Lord Shiva with his vehicle Nandi, and Lord Vishnu in
his Narasimhavatara and Varahavtara.
Also Read: Best Places to Visit in Mangalore
Bhutanatha Temples: Explore the temple of Bhootnath and witness different incarnations of Lord Vishnu
Built in a mixed variation of north and early south Indian style of
architecture, this popular group of sandstone temples called Bhutanatha
Temples is a place that must be visited in Karnataka. Circulating the
pristine lake of Agastya and Rocky Mountains of Badami, this temple is
dedicated to Bhutanatha, an incarnation of Lord Shiva. Here, you can
find two sets of temples, Bhutanatha on the east and Mallikarjuna on the
north-east.
The Bhutanatha Temple is said to have been built during the reign of
the Chalukyas of Vatapi, with Vatapi being an earlier name for Badami.
Later additions to the temple’s structure were added by the Kalyani
Chalukyas of the west who are also credited with the creation of the
Mallikarjuna Temple. The Bhutanatha Temple is a blend of north Indian
and early south Indian style of architecture with the temple’s inner
halls built by the Chalukyas of Badami and the outer hall built later by
the Kalyani Chalukyas. At the temple one can see massive pillars with
lotus designs with sculptures of Goddess Ganga and Goddess Yamuna on
either side of the temple’s doorways.
- Main Deity: Bhutanatha (incarnation of Lord Shiva)
- Place: Badami
- Highlight: Witness an interesting sight of architectural forms built during different periods of Kalyani Chalukyas in Bhutanatha Temple.
Also Read: Best Places to Visit in Coorg
Sri Krishna Temple: Pay Homage to Lord Krishna from the Kanakana Kindi in Udupi
The temple dedicated to Lord Krishna, It is due to the Sri Krishna
Temple of the region that Udupi in Karnataka is also referred to as the
“Mathura of the south”. The temple is said to have been built in the
13th century by Sri Madhwacharya when he found the idol of Lord Krishna
lying covered in gopichandana near the site. Here, unlike other temples,
the idol of Lord Krishna faces in the west direction, who is depicted
here as balakrishna.
What fascinates the pilgrims visiting Sri Krishna Temple in Udupi is
perhaps the statue of Krishna that is faced on its back in the entrance.
It is because, when Kanakadasa was denied entry in the temple due to
being of lower caste, he prayed from the back of the temple. Seeing his
devotion, Lord Krishna’s idol faced towards him turning his back to the
entrance. And to this day, the only way to see the front of the statue
is through a nine-holed window known as the Navagraha Kitiki. The statue
of Kanakadasa is also displayed for the visitors to view at the
Kanakadasa Mantapa near the temple.
- Main Deity: Lord Krishna
- Place: Udupi
- Highlight: The nine holes silver-plated window (Navagraha kindi) from where the deity is worshiped.
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Annapoorneshwari Temple: Visit the temple of Food Goddess and get a stunning sight of the idol in Horanadu
Located on the banks of Bhadra River, Annapoorneshwari Temple is
deemed to be one of the oldest temples in Karnataka. This temple which
is also known as Sri Kshetra Horanadu is dedicated to the Goddess of
food, Goddess Annapoorneshwari. The temple lies in the Horanadu village
and is part of the Chikmagalur district of Karnataka. The original deity
of the temple is said to have been installed by Agastya Maharishi
several centuries ago around the 8th century, with the current deity
having been installed by Adi Shanakaracharya in 1973.
Being the goddess of food, it is believed that those who pray to her
will never face any scarcity of food ever. With such a mindset, the
temple also provides food to the devotees as prasadam. Even though the
temple sees crowds throughout the year, it sees the most number of
devotees during the occasion of Navratri and Akshaya Tritya. Inside the
temple, you can witness a beautiful statue of the Goddess
Annapoorneshwari in a standing pose, which as per the legends is said to
be built by the sage Agastya.
- Main Deity: Goddess Annapoorneshwari
- Place: Horanadu
- Highlight: Pilgrims believe the temple to possess magical
powers and that if prayed wholeheartedly, the devotee will never go
hungry throughout his/her life.
Also Read: Best Places to Visit in Bangalore
Veera Narayana Temple: Explore the temples architectural wonder and seek blessings from the fourth incarnation of Lord Vishnu
The architectural splendor of Veera Narayana Temple is worthy to
applaud located in Belavadi, in Chikmagalur, the temple town finds
mention in the epics of Mahabharata. The temple is a splendid work of
rich architecture built by the Hoysala Kingdom during their reign.
Belavadi, which was known as Ekachakra Nagara, was the place where Bhima
is said to have fought with the demon Bakasura and defeated him.
Belavadi is also known for being the place where the Pandavas spent
their period of exile. The temple is a trikutachala, which means that it
has been built with three shrines. The temple was first constructed in
1117 CE as an ekatuka, and housed the idol of Lord Veera Narayan. It was
later in 1200 CE, that two more garbhagriha were added to the structure
to worship Lord Krishna and Lord Yoga Narasimha. Made out of soapstone,
the temple has around 84 carvings of elephants with each differing from
the other. Even though the inner walls of the temple might be plain,
the outer walls are completely covered in exquisite carvings. The idol
of the deity Lord Veera Narayana stands atop a lotus pedestal holding a
gada, a lotus, performing a vyagraha, and the veera mudra with his four
arms. The idol also has the ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu carved
alongside him as well.
- Main Deity: Lord Narasimha (incarnation of Lord Vishnu)
- Place: Belavadi
- Highlight: Narasimha Jayanti is a major festival celebrated in Veera Narayana Temple during the month of April.
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Kukke Subramanya Temple: Receive a shower of blessings and relish the panoramic view of Kumara Parvatha
Overlooking the best trekking spot of Kumara Parvatha mountain, the
5000 year old temple of Kukke Subramanya, resides luxuriously surrounded
by an abundance of natural beauty in Karnataka. This temple is
dedicated to the son of Lord Shiva, Kartikeya who is worshiped as Lord
Subramanya, the serpent king. It is said that the serpents including
Vasuki seeked refuge under Lord Kartikeya when they were threatened by
the Garuda, Lord Vishnu’s carrier bird.
Based along the Kumaradhara River, the Kukke Subramanya Temple
worships Lord Subramanya as a snake deity. Devotees come from different
places to offer prayers and pooja to the deity to absolve them of Naga
Doshas. The Kukke Subramanya Temple is also part of the seven abodes of
salvation that are spread throughout the state, established by
Parashurama. Along with poojas and rituals, a ritualistic dance called
the Nagamandala is also performed at the temple. Apart from absolving
people of Naga Doshas, the temple is also said to heal people with skin
diseases as well.
- Main Deity: Lord Subramanya
- Place: Subramanya
- Highlight: Garuda Pillar fully covered in silver and that
devotees crossing Kumaradhara River are to take a holy dip before
entering Kukke Subramanya Temple.
Also Read: Top Hill Destinations in Karnataka
Lakshminarayana Temple: Relish the beauty of Soapstone built temples in Hoysala Style in Hosaholalu
Known for its beautiful sculptured walls that display the various
images of Hindu deities, the temple of Lakshminarayana also offers
striking architectural beauty. Inspired by the trikutachala temple with
their three shrines, the Lakshminarayana Temple is completely built
using soapstone. The interior of the temple features four polished lathe
that supports the roof and other pillars that separate the halls into
nine compartments. Like any other south Indian temples, the temple is
built on top of a three-meter platform known as jagati, and showcases
splendid examples of art from the Hoysala period.
Constructed during the 13th century, the Lakshminarayana Temple is
also a splendid temple created by the Hoysala Empire. The temple
portrays the architecture style of the Hoysalas and stands on a
star-shaped platform, a signature of the empire. There are beautiful
carvings that can be found throughout the temple, with them displaying
birds, fish, elephants, horses, along with mythological tales and
stories from the Puranas. A temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu, several
sculptures of him with his consort can be seen throughout the temple,
along with him holding the lotus, conch, chakra, and mace with his four
arms. At the temple, you can also see sculptures of the Samudra Manthan
and the four-faced sculpture of Lord Brahma.
- Main Deity: Lakshminarayana, a manifestation of Lord Vishnu
- Place: Hosaholalu
- Highlight: You can find images of Narayana and Venugopala in
the middle of the temple complex along with the images of Lakshmi
Narasimha in their various forms of Vishnu.
Also Read: Top Tourist Destinations of Karnataka
Murudeshwara Temple: Admire the attractive gopuram and the second tallest statue of Lord Shiva in Murudeshwar
Perhaps Murudeshwara Temple’s main attraction is the 22-storied high
gopuram better known as the monumental tower, towering over a height of
237 ft along with the tall statue of Lord Shiva measuring up to 123 ft.
in height, known to be one of the tallest statues of Lord Shiva in the
country. Located on the edge of the Kanduka Hill overlooking the Arabian
Sea, one can simply visit this place and seek bliss.
Standing in the coastal town of Karnataka, the Murudeshwara Temple is
dedicated to the worship of Lord Shiva and displays sculptures built by
Chalukyas and Kadambas in the Dravidian style of architecture. Being
located on a hilltop, the temple provides breathtaking views of the
Arabian Sea that surrounds it on its three sides. Along with the
mesmerizing statue of Lord Shiva overlooking the Kanduka Hill, the
Murudeshwara Temple also has a sculpture of Arjuna receiving the
Gitopadesha from Lord Krishna on his golden colored sun chariot.
- Main Deity: Lord Shiva
- Place: Murdeshwar
- Highlight: The second tallest Shiva statue in the world measuring 123 ft. in height.
Also Read: Best Places to Visit in Chitradurga
Kollur Mookambika Temple: Seek blessings and adore the simple architecture of the temple of Goddess Parvati in Kollur
Mookambika Temple dedicated to Goddess Parvati in Kollur is one of
the most visited temples in South India and is built on the Kodachadri
hills in the village of Kollur of the Western Ghats. The temple offers a
simplistic decor and is believed to be built around 1200 years ago. The
Kollur Mookambika Temple is one of the seven abodes of salvation spread
throughout Karnataka, having been established by Parashurama.
With a golden crest and copper roof, the temple is beautiful to look
at and provide a sense of peace and tranquility to its visitors. The
Kollur Mookambika Temple is said to have been consecrated by Adi
Shanakaracharya who visited the temple to perform penance. Located along
the banks of River Souparnika, the temple worships the power of the
goddesses Parvati, Mahalakshmi, and Saraswati together as Mookambika at
the temple.
- Main Deity: Goddess Parvati, Mahalakshmi, and Saraswati
- Place: Kollur
- Highlight: Navratri Festival is an auspicious event to
witness celebration at Kollur Mookambika Temple held during the month of
October. Also witness three forms of worship to Goddess Parvati. The
morning in the form of Maha Kali (goddess of power), at noon as Lakshmi
(goddess of wealth) and in the evening as Maha Saraswati (goddess of
knowledge).
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Must Explore Temples in Tamil Nadu, South India
Popular temples that can be visited in Tamil Nadu include the following:
- Shore Temple
- Ramanathaswamy Temple
- Murugan Temple
- Thillai Nataraja Temple
- Naganathaswamy Temple
- Kapaleeswarar Temple
- Meenakshi Temple
- Kumari Amman Temple
- Ramaswamy Temple:
- Ekambareswarar Temple
Shore Temple: Explore the seventh-century marvelous temple by the seaside in Mahabalipuram
The 7th century Shore Temple is truly a remarkable tourist attraction
that sits on the coastline of the Bay of Bengal. Noted to be a UNESCO
site, it was believed to have a collection of temples but due to natural
disaster the temple comprises only three shrines dedicated to Lord
Shiva and Lord Vishnu. Throughout the exterior of the complex, you’ll
notice artistic sculpted images and copious idols of Gods and Nandis.
The Mahabalipuram group of temples consists of many rock-cut caves,
temples, monolithic temples, and many structures that remain ruined
today. Built in the 7th century by the Pallavas who ruled the region
during that time, they are credited for creating the beautiful
structures, some of which still stand strong even after the passage of
time. The group of temples consists of two temples dedicated to Lord
Shiva with one smaller temple for Lord Vishnu. Overlooking the Bay of
Bengal, the Shore Temples at Mahabalipuram is a religious as well as a
heritage structure that leaves the remnants of the past for its visitors
to witness.
- Main Deity: Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu
- Place: Mamallapuram
- Highlight: Mahabalipuram Dance Festival is a major highlight held every January or February in order to promote tourism.
Also Read: Best Places to Visit in Mahabalipuram
Ramanathaswamy Temple: Perform pilgrimage at one of the Chardhams to attain Moksha in Rameswaram
Located on the Pamban Island of Rameswaram, Ramanathaswamy Temple
with the same name offers a strong spiritual vibe during the visit.
Perhaps, it has something to do with the legend of Ramayana where Lord
Rama prayed to Lord Shiva to seek forgiveness in order to kill his
devotee Ravana. Inside the temple complex, you’ll find one of the 12
Jyotirlingas and 22 teerthams or waterbodies in the form of tanks and
wells. It is considered highly auspicious for the devotees to take a dip
in the Teerthams as it is believed that doing so would atone them of
their sins.
The Ramanathaswamy Temple, along with being part of the 12
Jyotirlingas also forms a part of the four Char Dham temple pilgrimage
circuit. At the Ramanathaswamy Temple, Lord Shiva is worshiped in the
form of the Shivalinga. With its magnificent beauty, fascinating
structure, long corridors, and intricately carved pillars, the temple
stands tall with a 124 ft. tall Gopuram. The temple also houses an idol
of Nandi, the carrier of Lord Shiva with a height of 17.5 ft. Goddess
Vishalakshi, Parvathavardhini, Lord Vinayaka and Lord Subrahmanya,
Utsava idol, Sayanagriha and Perumal are some of the deities worshiped
at the temple apart from the main deity, Shiva.
- Main Deity: Lord Shiva
- Place: Rameswaram
- Highlight: This temple is said to have the longest corridor from all the other Hindu temples in India and the world, about 3000 feet long.
Also Read: Top Destinations in Tamil Nadu
Murugan Temple: Get a splendid view of the ocean and wander amid the largest temple complex in India in Tiruchendur
This ancient temple of Murugan is not only one of the richest temples
of Tamil Nadu but it also has one of the largest temple complexes in
India. Dedicated to Lord Murugan, the temple is completely built using
red sandstone rock as the temple foundation with the beautiful Gopuram,
giving it that iconic look. An added feature of the Murugan temple are
the 120 columns and 16 pillars of Ananda Vilas Mandap that stand on a
cliff and offer a splendid view of the sea.
Located in the coastal town of Tiruchendur in the Thootukudi district
of Tamil Nadu, Murugan Temple attracts thousands of devotees every
year. The Murugan Temple at Tiruchendur is said to have been built to
commemorate the victory of Lord Murugan over the demon Surapadman after a
long battle. The gopuram of the temple is 9 storey tall with a height
of 137 ft. and is believed to have been constructed over 300 years ago.
Another feature of the temple that differentiates it from other temples
in the state is the fact that the Gopuram of the temple stands facing in
the west direction unlike other temples that face in the east
direction.
- Main Deity: Lord Murugan
- Place: Tiruchendur
- Highlight: A procession of Sri Jayanthi Nathar with Valli and
Deivanai is witnessed during the festival of Vaikasi Visagam during May
– June. A 12 day Masi Festival during February – March is also an
auspicious event.
Also Read: Popular Temples in Chennai
Thillai Nataraja Temple: Witness the wall carvings of 108 karanas from the Natya Shastra in Chidambaram
With the temple’s architecture that gives a mixture of arts and
spirituality, Thillai Nataraja Temple is one of the best temples
dedicated to Lord Shiva in Tamil Nadu. Located in Chidambaram that was
once called Thillai, you’ll find beautiful wall carvings that display
108 karanas from the Natya Shastra. These various postures in Natya
Shastra made by Bharata Muni (an Indian Theatrologist and Musicologist)
forms a foundation of Bharatanatyam, the classical Indian dance that
originated in Tamil Nadu.
It was during the 10th century that the Thillai Nataraja Temple was
created, when the Chola Dynasty was still ruling Chidambaram. The temple
was built by the Chola Dynasty who considered Lord Shiva to be their
clan guardian. Not only a place of religious importance, the temple is
also important for the people culturally, due to the worship of Lord
Shiva’s form of Nataraja. Apart from Lord Shiva, the temple also
worships Lord Vishnu and the Shakti goddesses as well. At the temple you
can view Lord Shiva portrayed as Nataraja who can be seen performing
the Ananda Tandava.
- Main Deity: Lord Shiva
- Place: Chidambaram (earlier known as Thillai)
- Highlight: Thillai Nataraja Temple, also known as Chidambaram
temple is said to be one of the five Panch Bhuta Stalam that represents
the five classical elements.
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Naganathaswamy Temple: Get healed by taking a dip in the holy tanks at Lord Rahu’s Temple in Thanjavur
Naganathaswamy Temple in Thanjavur is one of the most-visited
Navagraha Temples in whole of India and features four entry towers with
fort-like walls. The eastern gateway to the temple allows the devotees
to visit the Nandeeswarar Mandapam, Vinayaga temple, Thwaja Sthambam and
Balipeedam. While on the southern gate, you’ll come across four
mandapas adorned with elegant pillars.
Naganathaswamy Temple has twelve sacred water heads in this place and
a dip in one of these holy waters is said to cure diseases and also
eradicate one’s bad karma. Said to have been built in the 9th century by
the Chola Dynasty, the temple is dedicated to Lord Rahu. At the temple,
the idol of the Lord can be seen standing with his two consorts,
Nagavalli and Nagakanni. It is said that it is at the Naganathaswamy
Temple that Lord Rahu prayed to Lord Shiva to relieve himself from a
curse. Filled with many gopurams and mandapas, visiting the
Naganathaswamy Temple is truly a fulfilling experience.
- Main Deity: Lord Rahu (Raaghu Bhagvan)
- Place: Thanjavur
- Highlight: The only temple so far to have a human form statue of Lord Rahu, while other temples have his idol in a serpent form.
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Kapaleeswarar Temple: Take pleasure in marveling at the monumental tower and taking a spiritual walk in Goddess Chennai
This 7th century Kapaleeswarar temple in Chennai offers divine and
blissful ambience with a colorful monumental gatehouse tower, or the
Gopuram. Displaying a beautiful example of the architectural style of
Dravidian architecture, you’ll find many inscriptions on the temple
walls dating back as far as the 12th century. Dedicated to Lord Shiva
and Goddess Parvati, the temple has been built by the Pallava Kings and
later by the Vijayanagara Empire.
The temple is memorable for it is said that this was the place where
Goddess Parvati came down to pray to Lord Shiva as a penance after she
got turned into a peahen, which is why even today you can see peacocks
and peahen in the premises of the temple. Another story talks about how
it was at the site of the temple that Lord Brahma came to pray to Lord
Shiva after Shiva removed one of Lord Brahma’s head in rage when he was
shown disrespect. Here, “Kapalam” means “Head” and “Eeshwar” means
“Lord”, hence the name of the temple. At the temple the devotees can
witness six different types of puja’s in Kapaleeswarar Temple such as
Vaikarai Pooja, Uchi Kala Pooja, Ko pooja, Kala Sandhi Puja, Kali Puja,
Evening Puja and Ardhajama Pooja.
- Main Deity: Goddess Parvati (in the form of Karpagambal)
- Place: Chennai
- Highlight: This temple is widely visited during festivals
like Arupathu Moovar Festival, Theppa Thiruvizha Float Festival,
Vasantha Utsavam Festival and even the Navaratri Festival.
Also Read: Must Visit Temples in Tamil Nadu
Meenakshi Temple: Witness the colorful gopurams and emerald built deity of Goddess Meenakshi
Located on the southern bank of the river Vaigai in Madurai,
Meenakshi Temple is noted to have the largest temple complexes in Tamil
Nadu. It can be justified by wandering amidst the 14 gopuram (monumental
gatehouse towers) located in equal distance from each other, with the
tallest among them standing at a height of 170 ft. The majestic beauty
of the temple is witnessed from the architecture that displays the image
of Goddess Meenakshi, various sculptures and coiled corridors around
the complex.
The Meenakshi Temple is dedicated to Goddess Meenakshi and her
consort Lord Sundareshwar, and is said to be over 2000 years old with
the present structure being built between the 12th and the 16th
centuries. A magnificent example of Dravidian temple architecture, the
Meenakshi Temple is known for its colorful gopurams that make it stand
out from the rest of the temples in the region. The sculptures that
cover the gopurams are known for portraying the various tales from Hindu
mythology and events from the scriptures. Apart from the gopurams, the
Hall of Thousand Pillars or the Aayiram Kaal Mandapam is also a
fascinating attraction of the temple, featuring beautifully carved
pillars in the temple hall, although not accurately a thousand.
- Main Deity: Lord Shiva (in the form of Sundareswarar)
- Place: Madurai
- Highlight: The image of Goddess Meenakshi inside the temple is believed to be carved out of a single emerald.
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Kumari Amman Temple: Explore the place where Goddess Parvati performed penance to marry Lord Shiva
Established on the southernmost tip of India, along the shore of
Kanyakumari, the temple of Kumari Amman is devoted to the virgin
Goddess, Devi Kanya Kumari. This 8th century shrine was built by the
Pandya Kings and later renovated by the following rulers of Chola,
Vijayanagar and Nayak Dynasties.
Dedicated to the Goddess Kanyakumari, the Kumari Amman Temple is
among the 108 Shakti Peethas that are spread throughout the Indian
subcontinent. The idol of the Goddess at the temple has a nose ring that
itself has many stories and legends attached to it. The beautiful
temple of Kumari Amman is situated along the beach of Kanyakumari and
therefore attracts numerous devotees as well as tourists who come to
visit the temple every year. Carved out of bluestone, the idol of the
temple is a prominent point of interest at the temple. According to the
legend surrounding the temple, Goddess Kanyakumari is an incarnation of
Goddess Parvati herself, who took the form to kill the demon Banasura
who was only able to die at the hands of a virgin girl.
- Main Deity: Goddess Kanyakumari (Parvati)
- Place: Kanyakumari
- Highlight: A 9-day Navratri festival during September–October is joyously celebrated followed by festivals of Vaisakha and Kalabham.
Also Read: Popular Hill Stations in Tamil Nadu
Ramaswamy Temple: Pay Homage to Lord Rama and take a walk along a series of stone carvings with several mythological depictions
One of the most popular Rama temples in Kumbakonam, Ramaswamy Temple
is a 16th century structure built by Achutha Nayaka of Thanjavur. The
seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu is worshiped in this temple and
unlike other Rama temples, one can get a spectacular sight of Lord Rama
with his wife Sita along with his devotee Lord Hanuman and all of Lord
Rama’s brothers- Lakshmana, Bharata, and Shatrughna.
Built by the Nayakkar Kings, the Ramaswamy Temple in Tamil Nadu was
constructed in the 16th century. Portraying the signature style of
Nayakkar architecture, the temple has three-tiered gopurams within its
walls. Along with the gopurams, you can see many pillars along the
temple. The temple displays stories and tales from Hindu mythological
scriptures in its 64 pillars, and has been made using a single stone. At
the temple you will also find a series of stone carvings of Meenakshi
Kalyanam, Rama-Katha, Vamana Avatharam and more. Apart from these, you
can also find the Chitra Ramayana carved on the outer walls of the
temple, displaying the stories from the epic of Ramayana.
- Main Deity: Lord Rama
- Place: Kumbakonam
- Highlight: Explore 219 wall paintings in the temple that explain the episodes of the epic story of Ramayanam.
Ekambareswarar Temple: Witness an array of Shiva Lingam and 63 granite images of the Nayanmars in Kanchipuram
Considered to be one of the important pilgrimage centers in India for
Shiva devotees, you can plan a visit to Ekambareswarar and wander
amidst the temple complex that displays a number of staggering gopurams.
Inside the temple, you’ll witness an array of Shiva Lingam and 63
granite images of the Nayanmars. The architecture of the temple looks
even more radiant, having a beautiful pond in the center of the complex.
The Ekambareshwar Temple is part of the Panch Bhuta Stalam or five
prominent Shiva temples that are located across the states of Tamil Nadu
and Andhra Pradesh. These temples represent the five elements of the
universe such as air, water, earth, fire, and space, from which the
Ekambareshwar Temple represents the earth or Prithvi. At the temple,
Lord Shiva is worshiped as the Shiva Lingam which is known as the
Prithvi Lingam. According to a legend related to the temple, it was
Goddess Parvati who built the Prithvi Lingam out of sand and worshiped
it under a mango tree. One of the largest temples in Kanchipuram, the
Ekambareshwar Temple is spread over an area of 40 acres of land.
- Main Deity: Lord Shiva
- Place: Kanchipuram
- Highlight: The months between March and April witness the festival of Panguni which is celebrated for 10 days.
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Must Visit Temples in Andhra Pradesh, South India
Popular temples that can be visited in Andhra Pradesh include the following:
- Mallikarjuna Swamy
- Veerabhadra Temple
- Venkateswara Swamy Temple
- Anjaneya Temple
- Kanaka Durga Temple
- Mahanandi Temple
- Yaganti Temple
- Srikalahasteeswara Temple
- Simhachalam Temple
- Gollalamamidada Rama Temple
Mallikarjuna Swamy: Dig into the history of the temple and find inscriptions from the time of Satavahana Dynasty in Srisailam
This popular Hindu temple in Andhra Pradesh is dedicated to Lord
Shiva and Goddess Parvati and is said to be one of the twelve
Jyotirlingas shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva in India. Situated on top
of a flat area of Nallamala Hills, the Mallikarjuna Swamy temple
displays beautiful inscriptions from the Satavahana Dynasty on the
temple walls. You can explore its four gopurams, sculpted pillars,
mirror hall that houses the image of Nataraja along with numerous
shrines and sculptures.
Located in the hill town of Srisailam in Andhra Pradesh, the
Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple is one of the most popular temples in India,
having both a Jyotirlinga and a Shakti Peetha of the Sri Bhramaramba
Devi Temple within the same temple complex. A temple that has been in
existence for centuries, the Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple is said to have
been reconstructed by the Vijayanagara King, Harihara Raya. Sitting
along the banks of the River Krishna, the Mallikarjuna Temple is a must
visit temple for the devotees of the divine couple of Lord Shiva and
Goddess Parvati.
- Main Deity: Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati
- Place: Srisailam
- Highlight: Maha Shivaratri and Navratri are the two auspicious festivals celebrated in this temple.
Veerabhadra Temple: See surplus 16th Century carvings and fresco
paintings of done in Vijayanagara architectural style in Lepakshi
Veerabhadra Temple is one of the famous ancient temples located in
the state of Andhra Pradesh, displaying intricate carvings all across
the temple. This 16th century shrine features Vijayanagara style of
architecture with fresco paintings on the ceilings and walls displaying
in detail every scene of Rama and Krishna from the tale of Ramayana and
Mahabharata. The temple is a heritage monument and displays beautiful
works of art, history, and devotion that existed during the time of the
Vijayanagar Empire.
The Veerabhadra Temple was made to worship Lord Veerabhadra, a fierce
form of Lord Shiva. The temple is known for its astonishing
architecture that features beautiful pillars and cave chambers. Not only
important for the religion, the temple is also a part of UNESCO World
Heritage Site’s tentative list. The temple is built in a trikuta style
of temple architecture, which includes three altars for worshiping the
deities. The monolithic bull sculpture representing Lord Shiva’s carrier
bull Nandi is one of the popular structures in the temple complex.
Another popular sculpture at the temple is the Naga-Lingam at the
Veerabhadra Temple, which is a Shiva Lingam hooded by seven Nagas.
- Main Deity: Lord Veerabhadra
- Place: Lepakshi
- Highlight: Carved out from a single stone, a granite monolithic Bull or Nandi is placed about 200 meters away from the temple.
Venkateswara Swamy Temple: Adore the colorful facade and witness the unusual sight of mass hair tonsuring in Tirumala
Known by various other names like Tirumala, Tirupati and Balaji,
Venkateswara Swamy Temple is by far the most visited Lord Venkateswara
temples in Andhra Pradesh. This holy sanctuary sits on the hills of
Tirumala in Chittoor district, with the facade of the temple giving it
an authentic south Indian architectural splendor of Dravidian style.
This temple’s colorful Gopuram or the temple tower is said to be five
stories high with the main entrance to the temple, Maha Dwaram just
below.
Venkateswara Swamy Temple worships Lord Venkateswara, an incarnation
of Lord Vishnu as the primary deity at the temple, and forms an
important pilgrimage site for the Vaishnavite devotees. The temple is
also called Bhuloka Vaikuntham, meaning the “The abode of Lord Vishnu on
Earth”, who is said to have manifested on Earth during the Kali Age to
provide salvation to his devotees. The idol at the temple is believed to
be a Swayambhu or a “Self manifested” one, and is seen decorated with
flowers and ornaments at all times.
- Main Deity: Lord Venkateswara
- Place: Tirumala
- Highlight: Witness the hair offering or tonsuring in
Venkateswara Swamy Temple by the devotees and attend Vaikhanasa Agama, a
traditional puja that worships all of Vishnu’s avatars.
Anjaneya Temple: Marvel at the tallest statue of Lord Hanuman at Paritala Village
Located in the village of Paritala, Anjaneya Temple displays the
second tallest statue of Lord Hanuman in the world, which is said to be
135 ft. in height. Anjaneya Temple in Paritala offers a spiritual
ambience for Hanuman devotees and an open playground for the monkeys
that play around showing their mischievous nature.
Installed in the year 2003, the giant statue of Lord Hanuman is what
attracts devotees and tourists alike to visit the Anjaneya Temple at
Paritala. The temple also has shrines dedicated to the worship of Lord
Ram, Goddess Sita, and Lord Lakshmana along with the shrine of Lord
Hanuman. Although the statue has been installed recently, the temple is
said to have been in existence for centuries, with the current structure
of the temple being constructed in the 1960s. Situated in Vijayawada,
along the highway, the Anjaneya Temple in Paritala is a must visit
temple for the ardent devotees of Lord Hanuman.
- Main Deity: Lord Hanuman
- Place: Paritala Village
- Highlight: The second tallest statue of Lord Hanuman standing 135 ft. in height.
Kanaka Durga Temple: Explore the golden shrine of Goddess Durga in Vijayawada
One of the most famous Durga temples in Andhra Pradesh, Kanaka Durga
Temple is located amid the greens of the Indrakeeladri hill along the
Krishna River. Here, a sight you’ll probably not miss is the golden
coloured shrine in the center of the temple complex that houses the idol
of Goddess Durga. Surrounded by huge fenced walls and a colorful
monumental tower that displays images of deities, Kanaka Durga Temple is
a must visit holy destination.
The presiding deity of Vijayawada, Goddess Durga is worshiped at the
temple as Kanaka Durga. A popular temple that sees crowds throughout the
year, the temple sees the most crowds during the occasion of Navratri,
celebrated with much fervor and enthusiasm. The idol of the Goddess at
the temple is said to be a Swayambhu or a “Self manifested” one, and is
worshiped ardently by the devotees. The deity’s face and body are both a
shade of golden, which is further adorned with gold ornaments, lending
the name “Kanaka” Durga, in which “Kanaka” translates to gold in
Sanskrit.
- Main Deity: Goddess Durga
- Place: Vijayawada
- Highlight: The most significant festivals are Saraswati Puja
and Theppotsavam. The festival of Dasara is also an important festival
during which the devotees take a dip in the Krishna river near the
temple.
Mahanandi Temple: Sight the two-cavity natural Shivling in Nallamala Hills near Nandyal
Experience a spiritual environment while visiting Mahanandi Temple
dedicated to Lord Shiva. This ancient temple houses a Shivalinga which
is quite unique, it is so because it appears to look like a rough rock
featuring two cavities. Built in a Tamil architectural style, you’ll
notice a gopuram that stands talls illuminating golden flair. And inside
the temple complex, you’ll see three pools of water which are around 60
square feet with two pools outside the temple and one within the
garbhagriha or the sanctum sanctorum of the temple. The main deity of
the temple is Lord Shiva who is worshiped in the form of a Shiva Linga
and can be seen in the garbhagriha surrounded by the pool of water.
Originally, the temple was built in the 7th century by the Chalukya
Dynasty, after which many changes were made by the further dynasties of
Vijayanagar and the Nandas- for whom Nandi was the guardian deity. In
the village of Mahanandi, there are around nine temples dedicated to the
worship of Nandi, the carrier bull of Lord Shiva. These nine temples
include the temples of Mahanandi, Shivanandi, Vinayakanandi, Somanandi,
Prathamanandi, Garuda Nandi, Suryanandi, Krishnanandi and Naganandi.
- Main Deity: Lord Siva
- Place: Nallamala Hills near Nandyal
- Highlight: Maha Shivaratri is joyously celebrated annually during the months of February and March.
Yaganti Temple: Hike 120 steep steps to witness miracles at the temple dedicated to Lord Shiva in Yaganti
What makes Yaganti Temple famous is for the fact that the sweet water
gushes into Pushkarini (a small pond) through the mouth of a Nandi from
the bottom of the hill. There has been no explanation from where the
water comes from, but the devotees find the water to hold special
healing powers. You’ll also notice many caves around the temple complex
where one can get to Agastya Cave by taking 120 steep steps. You will
also find an idol of Lord Venkateswara in the Venkateswara Cave and
Veera Brahmam Cave where he wrote the Kalagnanam.
Located in the Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh, the temple is also
known as Uma Maheshwari Temple and dates back to the 5th and 6th
centuries. The idol at the temple is the Ardhanareeswarar form of the
deities of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati made into one and has been
carved out of a single piece of stone. Located close to the temple are
many cave temples which is what Yaganti is also famous for.
- Main Deity: Lord Shiva
- Place: Kurnool District
- Highlight: The idol of Nandi located in front of the temple
increases 1 inch after every 20 years. According to the Archaeological
Survey of India, the rock that was used to crave the Nandi has a growing
nature, however, it has not been proven.
Srikalahasteeswara Temple: Applaud the colorful gopuram and the
mandapam where Lord Shiva granted Moksha to Kannappa in Srikalahasti
Known for the Vayu Lingam, Srikalahasti Temple in Andhra Pradesh is
one of the famous Shiva temples in South India. This temple revolves
around many legends, it is said that Kannappa, one of Shiva’s saints,
almost removed his eyeballs in order to cover the blood flowing from the
Sivalinga. Seeing his devotion Lord Shiva granted him Mukti (Nirvana).
Built in a Dravidian architectural style, it has a 120 ft. high gopuram
and 100 pillar mandapam.
The Srikalahasteeswara Temple forms a part of the Panch Bhuta Stalam
or the five important Shiva temples that are spread throughout the
states of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, representing the five important
elements of the universe, air, water, fire, earth, and space. The
temple was built by the Pallava Dynasty in the 5th century and has been
carved out of a single piece of rock. It was the Chola Dynasty that
renovated the temple’s structure in the 10th century, and later, the
Vijayanagara Kings that erected the 100 pillar mandapam of the temple.
The Shiva Linga inside the temple is white in color and is believed to
have been self-manifested and is called a Swayambhu one.
- Main Deity: Lord Shiva
- Place: Srikalahasti
- Highlight: The idol of Shiva located here which is in the
form of Linga is said to be completely made of white stone in a shape
that resembles an elephant’s trunk.
Simhachalam Temple: Take a tour of the fortress-like temple in Visakhapatnam
Built in Kalinga architectural style, Simhachalam Temple dedicated to
Lord Narasimha (incarnation of Lord Vishnu) more or less resembles a
fortress. It gives a fusion of different styles of architecture of
Chalukyas, Orissan and Cholas. The temple has five gateways and the main
tower or the rajagopuram in the west consists of five-tier. Here, the
pillars and walls are carved with images of Lord Vishnu, Goddess Lakshmi
and the Azhwars (Tamil poet-saints of South India).
- Main Deity: Lord Narasimha
- Place: Visakhapatnam
- Highlight: The five days festival of Kalyanotsavam (marriage of Varaha Narasimha) is celebrated annually.
Gollalamamidada Rama Temple: Seek blessings of Lord Rama in a temple seated by the river in Gollalamamidada
Seated on the banks of River Thulya Bhaga, Gollalamamidada Rama
Temple is a well-known Hindu pilgrimage destination that gathers the
followers of Lord Rama. This holy place is located in the eastern part
of Godavari District of Andhra Pradesh and it is also known as Sri
Kodanda Rama temple. Among the festivals that attract devotees to the
temple, Rama Navami is one of the famous and auspicious festivals
celebrated here.
The Gollalamamidada Rama Temple worships Lord Rama and houses the
idol of Lord Rama, Goddess Sita, and Lord Lakshmana. One of the major
highlights of this temple is its tall gopuram that is 170 ft tall in
height. On the pious occasion of Ram Navami, the festival that is
celebrated with fervor and enthusiasm is the celebration of the
celestial wedding of Lord Rama and Goddess Sita, for which devotees
gather to the temple from all over the region and constitutes a nine day
celebration. Along with these major celebrations, the Abhishekam or
Pooja is held daily at the temple.
- Main Deity: Lord Rama
- Place: Gollala Mamidada village
- Highlight: One of the major highlights of this temple is the 170 feet high Gopuram.
Also Read: Top Tourist Destinations in Andhra Pradesh
Must See Temples in Telangana, South India
Popular temples that can be visited in Telangana include the following:
- Birla Mandir
- Lakshmi Narasimha Temple
- Sita Ramachandra Swamy Temple
- Sanghi Temple
- Beechupally Anjaneya Swamy Temple
- Gnana Saraswati Temple
- Karmanghat Hanuman Temple
- Sri Raja Rajeshwara Temple
- Chaya Someswara Swamy Temple
- Narasimha Temple
Birla Mandir: Savor the beauty of all white temple in Hyderabad
Seated on 280 ft. high Naubat Pahad hillock, Birla Temple offers the
devotees with a sense of spiritual awakening. With the main deity of the
temple as Lord Venkateswara, the temple houses multiple shrines of
various Hindu deities and gives an opportunity to the visitors to seek
blessing not only from Lord Venkateswara but other deities like Lord
Shiva, Lord Ganesh, Goddess Shakti, Lord Hanuman, Goddess Saraswati,
Lord Brahma, Sai Baba and Goddess Lakshmi as well. With a mixed
architectural style of Rajasthani, Dravidian and Utkala, the entire
temple is built in white 2000 tons of white marble.
Constructed in 1976, the Birla Mandir is a relatively new temple
built by Swami Ranganathananda of Ramakrishna Mission and worships Lord
Venkateswara, a form of Lord Vishnu. The idol inside the temple is
canopied by a lotus made of granite rock which is in stark contrast to
the white color of the idol. Located atop the hill, the temple overlooks
Hussain Sagar Lake and is one of the most beautiful destinations in the
city of Hyderabad. The walls of the temple are also decorated with
carvings that display stories from the epics of Ramayana and Mahabharata
as well.
- Main Deity: Lord Venkateswara
- Place: Hyderabad
- Highlight: The granite idol of Lord Venkateswara stands about
3.4 m and the temple has no traditional bells, in order not to disturb
those meditating in the shrine.
Also Read: Top Places to Visit in Telangana
Lakshmi Narasimha Temple: Seek the blessing of Lord Narasimha and explore an ancient natural cave at Yadagirigutta
Also known as Yadagirigutta, Lakshmi Narasimha Temple is one of the
popular Hindu shrines seated on a hillock in Yadagirigutta. In order to
get to the main shrine that houses various idols, you will have to pass
through a 12 feet high and 30 feet long cave located at the back of the
temple.
The Lakshmi Narasimha Temple is an ancient temple and even finds
mention in the puranas, precisely, in the Skanda Purana. On top of the
Shikhara of the garbhagriha of the temple, there is a bright golden
Sudarshan Chakra of Lord Vishnu, 3ft.tall and 3ft. Wide in measurements.
The main deity of the temple is Lord Narasimha who is an incarnation of
Lord Vishnu, whose five different forms namely, the Sri Jwala
Narasimha, Sri Yogananda, Sri Gandabherunda, Sri Ugra and Sri
Lakshminarasimha are worshiped at the temple today. As such, inside you
will find a serpent shaped Jwala Narasimha, a silver idol of
Lakshmi-Narasimha and a statue of Yogananda Narasimha in a meditating
pose.
- Main Deity: Narasimha Swamy (incarnation Lord Vishnu)
- Place: Yadagirigutta
- Highlight: See Lord Vishnu in all three forms of Jwala
Narasimha, Gandabherunda Narasimha and Yogananda Narasimha in Lakshmi
Narasimha Temple.
Sita Ramachandra Swamy Temple: Relish the balmy environment and soak in the spirituality in Bhadrachalam
Gently seated near the shores of the Godavari River, the temple of
Sita Ramachandra Swamy is a holy place to visit and offers the best of
nature and spirituality. This temple is separated into three parts, the
head of Bhadra, a devotee of Lord Rama is the main shrine, the second
section is of the sanctum and the third part of the temple is the
Rajagopuram, the main tower located at Bhadra’s feet.
The Sita Ramachandra Swamy Temple in Bhadrachalam, Telangana attracts
thousands of devotees every year, especially during the festivities of
Ram Navami, to celebrate the birth of Lord Rama, and his celestial
wedding to his consort Goddess Sita. Bhadrachalam is a place that is
also considered pious and holy for being the place where Lord Rama and
Goddess Sita spent some time during their period of exile. The temple
was constructed in the 17th century by a local Tahasildar, Kancharla
Gopanna who was an ardent devotee of Lord Rama. The idols that exist in
the temple were found by a woman called Pokala Dhammakka, who found them
under an anthill as per the instructions given to her by Lord Rama, who
told her that a temple for the idols would be built at a later date. As
such, the temple was later built by none other than Kancharla Gopanna
himself, fulfilling the prophetic dream.
- Main Deity: Lord Rama
- Place: Bhadrachalam
- Highlight: Ram Navami is an important festival celebrated in Sita Ramachandra Swamy Temple during the months of March-April.
Sanghi Temple: Feel the spiritual bliss amid serene surroundings in Sanghi Nagar
With an architectural style of Chola – Chalukya, the Sanghi Temple is
located on a beautiful hillock of Paramanand Giri. As the name
suggests, it was built by the Sanghi industrial group and its
architectural beauty is what every visitor adores, completely covered in
white. Sanghi Temple is dedicated to Lord Venkateshwara and it receives
many pilgrims throughout the year. Nearby the temple complex, there are
also multiple temples of deities like Goddess Parvati, Lord Anjaneya,
Lord Shiva, Goddess Kamalambika, Lord Rama, Lord Ganesha, Goddess Durga
and Lord Kartikeya.
Built in 1991, the Sanghi Temple is one of the popular attractions in
Hyderabad. The temple complex has its own garden known as the Pavitra
Vanam, from which flowers are used for the rituals and ceremonies that
take place in the temple. The festivals of Shivratri, Krishna
Janmashtami, Dussehra, Ram Navami, and Hanuman Jayanti are celebrated at
the temple with much fervor and enthusiasm, making visiting the temple
during these times a must visit experience.
- Main Deity: Lord Venkateshwara
- Place: Sanghi Nagar
- Highlight: Also considered as a weekend pilgrimage getaway,
the complex highlights a garden, Pavitra Vanam and also Kalyana Mandapam
for marriage events. Dussera is the best time to visit as the entire
temple glitters with lights and devotees.
Beechupally Anjaneya Swamy Temple: Indulge into river worship and
take a dip in the holy river to get cleansed from all your sins in
Beechupally
Anjaneya Swamy Temple is one of the most visited temples in
Telangana, especially for Lord Hanuman devotees. Here, you’ll find many
ghats since it is located near the Krishna River. One of the auspicious
river worship and sacred bath events also takes place here after every
12 years, known as the Pushkara Snanam.
Being located at the shores of the Krishna River, a number of
ancestral rites for the deceased are performed by the devotees at the
temple. The main shrine has a Hanuman Temple that is located at a
distance of 200 meters away from the river, along with a Shiva Lingam
that can be seen near the river. Before going to visit the temple, it is
considered auspicious to take a dip in the waters of the river for the
devotees. Pilgrims who visit the temple believe that the temple will
cure them of diseases and illnesses and often tonsure their hair at the
temple as an offering.
- Main Deity: Lord Hanuman
- Place: Beechupally
- Highlight: One of the major highlights you can witness here
is the festival of Pushkara Snanam held every 12 years, dedicated to the
12 sacred rivers in India.
Gnana Saraswati Temple: Bring your children for a ceremony of Aksharabhyasam and be blessed by Goddess Saraswati in Basar
Built to honor Goddess Saraswati, this temple in Basar is one of the
two famous temples in the whole of India dedicated to Goddess Saraswati,
the first one located in Jammu and Kashmir. Since this Hindu deity
Saraswati is considered to be the Goddess of Knowledge, many devotees
bring their children to attend a ceremony called Aksharabhyasam. It is a
famous South Indian ritual before the kids receive any kind of formal
education.
Located in close proximity to the River Godavari, the Gnana Saraswati
Temple in Basar, Telangana is an ancient temple. It is said that after
Mahabharata, Sage Veda Vyasa meditated here at the Kumaranchala hills on
the banks of River Godavari in search of peace, where the goddess
appeared to him and told him to offer three handfuls of sand every day.
It was later that these sand dunes transformed into the idol of
Goddesses Saraswati, Lakshmi, and Kali. These are the idols which are
worshiped at the temple even today. Numerous devotees from the region
throng the temple during the festivities of Mahashivratri, Navratri, and
Vasant Panchami to seek the blessings of the goddesses.
- Main Deity: Goddess Saraswati
- Place: Basar
- Highlight: Take a short pilgrimage walk up the mountain above the temple to see the Idol of Goddess Saraswati sitting on a lotus.
Karmanghat Hanuman Temple: Pay homage to the divine Lord Hanuman and the protector of Lord Ram and Sita in Hyderabad
Karmanghat Hanuman Temple is probably the most popular and oldest
Hanuman temple in Hyderabad. The two auspicious days of Tuesdays and
Saturdays are considered most holy when you can witness many devotees
gathering in this temple. One of the main festivals here is the Hanuman
Jayanti that celebrates the birthday of Lord Hanuman during the months
of either April or March, observed according to the Hindu calendar.
Though the presiding deity of the temple is Lord Hanuman, the temple
complex also houses shrines of other gods like Lord Rama, Lord Shiva,
Goddess Saraswati, Goddess Durga, Goddess Santoshimata, Lord Venugopala
Swamy, and Lord Jagannath. The Karmanghat Hanuman Temple is said to have
been built by a ruler from the Kakatiya Dynasty during the 12th
century, after he found an idol of Lord Hanuman in a forest chanting the
name of Lord Rama. It was later that he was instructed by Lord Hanuman
himself in a dream to construct the temple.
- Main Deity: Lord Hanuman
- Place: Hyderabad
- Highlight: The temple organizes Annadanam that provides free food to the devotees and also to the hungry homeless.
Sri Raja Rajeshwara Temple: Purify your soul in a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva at Vemulawada
Locally known as Rajanna, this spiritual temple of Sri Raja
Rajeshwara is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The main idol of Raja Rajeshwara
is coupled with two important deities Sri Raja Rajeswari Devi and Sri
Laxmi Sahitha Siddi Vinayaka. Being a popular Shiva temple, it draws
many pilgrims throughout the year. During the festival of Maha
Shivaratri, devotees receive a special offering by the temple called
Kode Mokku. It is an important ritual where the devotees partake in
pradakshinam around the temple with a Kode, a bull.
Located in the Vemulawada village of Karimnagar district of
Telangana, the Sri Raja Rajeshwara Temple is often known as “Dakshina
Kasi”, or the Kashi of the South, and “Harihara Kshetram”, for the
existence of two shrines dedicated to Lord Vishnu that exist within the
temple complex. Within the temple complex, there is even a dargah that
displays a feeling of harmony between the two religions. In the
Bhavishyottara Purana, the temple finds mention for being the place
where Lord Surya prayed to rid himself of a disability, hence lending
the temple another name, the Bhaskara Kshetram.
- Main Deity: Lord Shiva
- Place: Vemulawada
- Highlight: Dharma Gundam, a holy water tank is considered to
have medicinal properties and the devotees are often seen taking a dip
before proceeding to the main temple.
Chaya Someswara Swamy Temple: Sight the Shadowed Lingam in an 11th Century temple in Panagal Village
Chaya Someswara Swamy Temple, also known as Thrikutalayam was built
between the 11th and the 12th centuries by the Ikshvaku family. The
presiding deity at the temple is Lord Shiva whose idol is beautifully
decorated during the festive night of Shivaratri. As such, it is during
the festival of Shivratri that the temple sees a good amount of crowd.
It is said that the Lingam in the main temple is said to always be
shadowed, thus the name Chaya in the name of the temple. The shadow that
falls on the deity has been strategically built so that the light that
falls on the pillars of the temple always keep the deity shadowed,
making it the prominent attraction of the temple. Located in Panagal, in
the Nalgona district of Telangana, the Chaya Someswara Swamy Temple was
designed by the Kunduru Dynasty and is credited with the architectural
prowess of the temple. The temple, apart from housing the idol of Lord
Shiva, also houses the idols of Lord Brahma, and Lord Vishnu, each of
them facing a different direction but joined by a common mandapa at the
temple. The intricate carvings on the pillars and walls of the temple
are also one of the reasons for the mesmerizing beauty that captivates
devotees to come visit the temple.
- Main Deity: Lord Shiva
- Place: Panagal Village
- Highlight: Explore one of the Garbhagriha, an innermost
sanctum of the temples that is in a constant shadow from dawn to dusk at
the temple.
Narasimha Temple: Relish the beauty of nature and adore the unique architecture of Narasimha Temple in Nampally Gutta
Beautifully built in the shape of a Snake, Narasimha Temple located
in Nampally Gutta is one of the must-see temple attractions in
Telangana. Perhaps it is the fascinating structure of the shrine itself
that triggers the mind of the devotees who flock to this temple. Seated
on a small hillock between the highway of Vemulawada and Karimnagar,
this shrine dedicated to the reincarnated Lord Lakshmi Narasimha is one
of the most fascinating temples ever built in India.
Being located on a hilltop, visiting the temple requires the devotees
to climb up a few hundred steps that lead to the temple. The Narasimha
Temple is dedicated to Lord Narasimha, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu,
whose idol is said to have been carved out of a rock. It was later that
the temple was built around the idol at the hill. Devotees coming to the
temple can enter through the “belly” of the snake-shaped temple.
Passing through which and entering the long tunnel, one can see many
statues depicting the story of Prahalad and Hiranyakashipu, and at the
end where Lord Narasimha ends up killing Hiranyakashiu.
- Main Deity: Lord Lakshmi Narasimha (incarnation of Lord Vishnu)
- Place: Nampally Gutta
- Highlight: The temple structure is the major highlight that
allows the devotees to enter through the snake belly. Traversing a
winding tunnel, the end of the shrine houses the idol of Lord Narasimha
killing the demon Hiranyakashipu.
Temples in South India are as fascinating as their culture and the
landscape. With mesmerizing architecture, unique legends, myths, and
rituals, these temples will ultimately make your pilgrimage trip
experience like never before. Visit some of the best destinations in
South India on a pilgrimage tour to the region and witness the serenity
and beauty of these religious destinations for yourself. We hope that
you now have a better idea about the many pilgrimage sites of southern
India and have bookmarked the temples you’d want to visit in your
wishlist already.
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About the author
Abhishek Gurung is a writer whose
passion for food and travel is an unending affair. He likes going on
treks and camping in the woods, loves exploring forts and architecture,
he is a cycle enthusiast who likes to contribute something to the
environment, travel photography and videography is another interest as
he sees life in a cinematic point of view. He likes the idea of living
in offbeat destination where the mode of communication is to interact
with each other. Coming from Nagaland, he has visited some beautiful
valleys and remote villages and appreciates nature as it is and as it
should be.
