Ancient temples remind us glorious history of India. There are many beautiful ancient temples in India displaying intricate carvings and splendid architecture. Check out some of the most impressive ancient Indian temples that you should not miss while exploring the country.
1. Adi Kumbeswarar, Tamil Nadu:
Situated in Kumbhakonam town of Tamil Nadu, this temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva worshiped as Adi Kumbeswarar in the form of a lingam. It has a 16-pillared hall which belongs to Vijaynagara period. Many Shiva devotees come here to celebrate a festival called Masi Magam during the months of February and March.
2. Dilwara Temples, Rajasthan:
You can find these beautifully carved Jain temples (Mahavir Swami Temple, Parshvanatha Temple, Luna Vasahi, Vimal Vasahi and Pittalhar Temple) near Mount Abu of Rajasthan. These temples are made up of magnificent marble and constructed between 11th and 13th century A.D. The lush greenery surrounding the Dilwara temples enhance their beauty.
3. Konark Sun Temple, Odisha:
Built in 13th century, Konark Sun temple is one of the seven wonders of India. It resembles a big chariot having 12 pairs of stone-carved wheels run by 7 horses. As its name suggests, worship of Sun God takes place at this temple. Konark Sun temple is the best example of Kalinga architecture. It is also a UNESCO world heritage site, thus it is a great place for history buffs too.
4. Badami Cave Temples, Karnataka:
There are 6 cave temples belonging to different religions at Badami town of the Bagalkot District, Karnataka. Badami cave temples represent great Indian rock-cut architecture dating back to sixth century. You will also find ancient inscriptions( in Sanskrit and Kannada language) carved on these caves.
5. Tungnath Temple, Uttarakhand:
Located in Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand, it is the world’s highest temple of Lord Shiva. Some people believe that Tungnath temple made of black rock is 1000 years old and has a legend related to great warriors of Mahabharata epic i.e. Pandavas. This highest Panch Kedar temple can accommodate only 10 visitors at a time.
6. Brihadeshwara temple, Karnataka:
Dedicated to Lord Shiva, Brihadeshwara temple or RajaRajeswara Temple exhibiting Dravidian architecture is situated in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu. It is also one of the largest Indian temples. There are interconnected structures in the temple like Nandi pavilion, a big hall and a pillared portico. The whole temple is constructed with over 130000 tons of granite.
7. Jagatpita Brahma Mandir, Rajasthan:
This temple is present near Pushkar lake of Rajasthan. You can get an idea about Jagatpita Brahma Mandir by its name i.e. this ancient structure is dedicated to Lord Brahma, the creator of Universe according to Hindu mythology. It was built in 14 century and boasts unique red pinnacle. It is visited by many Brahma devotees during Kartik Purnima.