In India, there are tons of temples all over the place. Even though lots of kingdoms have come and gone, and plenty of bad stuff has happened, the temples are still standing strong. People love them not just for praying to the gods and goddesses inside, but also because they’re amazed by how they’re built. The way temples are built shows what different kingdoms and rulers were into back in the day. Each region in India has its own style of temple. Let’s talk about some Hindu temples that stand out because they look really cool and different.
Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple
The Arulmigu Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple, also called Arulmigu Meenakshi Amman Thirukkovil, is an ancient Hindu temple found in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India. It sits on the south side of the Vaigai River in the city known for its temples.
Hampi Virupaksha Temple
The Virupaksha Temple is a big deal in Hampi, Karnataka. It’s all about Lord Shiva and is super famous, not just for religious folks but also for history buffs and architecture lovers. People from everywhere come to check it out. It’s so special that it’s even on the UNESCO World Heritage List! The temple is all about Sri Virupaksha, who’s like a version of Shiva. Inside, you’ll find other small places for worship dedicated to Bhuvaneshwari and Vidyaranya too. Let’s dive into all the cool stuff about this stunning temple
Brihadeeswarar Temple
The Brihadeeshwara Temple, also called Peruvudaiyar Kovil, is a big Hindu temple in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu. People also call it Periya Kovil, RajaRajeswara Temple, and Rajarajesvaram. It’s super huge and is one of the biggest temples in India. Plus, it’s a great example of Dravidian architecture from the time of the Chola dynasty. The Brihadeeshwara Temple was made by Emperor Raja Raja Chola I and was finished way back in 1010 AD. So, in 2010, it hit the big milestone of being 1000 years old! This temple is part of something called the UNESCO World Heritage Site, along with two other temples: the Brihadeeswarar Temple in Gangaikonda Cholapuram and the Airavatesvara Temple
Konark Sun Temple
The Konark Sun Temple, also just called Konark, is a super cool building in eastern India, in a place called Odisha. It’s like a symbol of India’s history and culture and lots of people come to check it out. The temple is all about worshipping the Sun God, and it’s really huge! The name ‘Konark’ comes from two words: ‘Kona’ meaning ‘Corner’ and ‘Arka’ meaning ‘Sun’. So, put them together and you get ‘Sun of the Corner’. The Konark Sun Temple sits in the northeastern corner of Puri and it’s all about worshipping the Sun God. People also call Konark ‘Arka khetra’.
Lepakshi Temple
The Lepakshi Temple, also known as the Veerabhadra Temple, is located near the border of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. One of the coolest things about this temple is its hanging pillar, which you can find right in the middle of the main hall. It’s like magic! There are also lots of cool stories and mysteries surrounding the temple. It’s super old, from way back in the 16th century, and it’s dedicated to three main gods: Shiva, Vishnu, and Veerabhadra. The temple was built by two brothers named Virupanna and Viranna
Chennakeshava Temple
The Chennakeshava Temple, also known as the Keshava Temple, is a super famous temple in South India. It’s situated by the Yagachi River in Karnataka, near a place called Hassan. This temple is a big deal in town! It’s all about worshipping Lord Vishnu and his form as Krishna. The coolest part? The walls of the temple are covered in stories! You can see carvings from famous Hindu epics like the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. This temple has been around since way back in the 12th century AD. It’s ancient and awesome!
