India is the land of temples. It is tough to determine how many temples are there in India. Each one is established for a particular reason, in the devotion of a particular god. Most temples are small, but some are huge. When you walk into one of these temples you can appreciate the effort and dedication that goes into building it. The intricate details, the giant bells, all need time, dedication, and most of all untainted devotion.
You would be surprised to know that most of the temples in India were built a long time ago. And they still stand strong. It is difficult to find craftsmanship like that anymore. Our Ancient temples are not only are holy place but also a jump through time. Here are some ancient Indian temples you must visit.
Mundeshwari Devi Temple
Mundeshwari Devi temple, at first glance, does not appear to be much- simple brick walls and a wooden door. But this is considered to be the oldest temple of India. Located in Bihar, this temple was built in 108AD. It is a holy place built in the honor of Load Shiva and Shakti. Despite being this old and the simple design of the temple, people still visit this place. It has a unique octagon structure which is considered to be closely related to Nagara Architectural Style.
Mahabalipuram Temples
It is a group of temples was built during the seventh and eighth centuries. Most of these temples are built the devotion of Lord Shiva. They have an uncanny resemblance to ‘ratha’ or in simple terms, chariots. There are many mandapas or cave inspired temples as well. The architecture of this place is mesmerizing. It tells us so much about our ancient heritage and the people who were here before us. It is believed that the city in Tamil Nadu where Mahabalipuram Temples are located was built during the first century itself.
Konark Sun Temple
Another chariot inspired temple situated in Odisha is sure to make you feel that you have been sucked back in time. It is a huge temple, over 229 feet tall. And the most fascinating thing about this place is that you cannot go inside. The doors are sealed. So what is the purpose of this temple? Konark Sun temple is empty, it does not have any idol inside and in the year 1903, Konark was shut down. India was under British rule at the moment, and they believed that most of their ships drowned because of the Konark’s power. So it was filled with sand and has been inaccessible to the public ever since.
You might not be allowed to go inside, but there are a lot of other things to look at on the outside. For instance, the entire Sun temple is designed to look like a chariot which has 12 pair of wheels and seven horses. It is believed to cherish solar energy.
Dilwara Temples
Located in Mount Abu, Rajasthan, Dilwara temple is essentially a Jain temple. It was built under the supervision of Vimal Shah. For the detailed design and appearance of this amazing place, you have Vastupala to thank. White marble interior is what makes this temple a must-visit. You can appreciate the intricate marble carving and the breath-taking marble structures. The Dilwara temples were built between the 11th and 13th centuries.
Badrinath temple
Badrinath temple situated in Badrinath was built in the 7th century to honor the great Lord Vishnu, who is also known as Badrinath. This place is surrounded by lovely Himalayas. The scene is breathtaking, but unfortunately, it remains closed for over 6 months due to unbearable conditions. Badrinath temple has a black stone statue of Lord Vishnu. And it is not just the temple that attracts your attention, the legends and myths around this temple are also very interesting. It is believed that Adi Shankaracharya found the Saligram idol of Lord Vishnu submerged in Alaknanda. He took it out and placed it in a cave near Tapt Kund. And since then this place is known as Badrinath. It is hard to determine the age of the Badrinath temple. There is still a dispute among archaeologists regarding how old is the temple.
These are some of the best temples to visit in India. The fine architecture and rich cultural heritage are worth a visit.