There are many Hindu temples in India, and some of them are world- famous for their architecture. It’s amazing that there were people who could conceptualize and create such beautiful masterpieces out of stone and other materials at their disposal. Many of these temples were commissioned by Hindu kings for whom it was also an exercise in image-building. It helped that they were lovers and connoisseurs of art and architecture. They spared no effort or expense to find the best talent who could make their grand visions a reality. And some of those grand monuments that testify to human artistry and imagination stand proudly even now in the form of these magnificent Hindu temples.
Now let’s take a look at 10 Indian temples that boast the most awe-inspiring architecture.
Akshar Dham, Delhi
This huge temple was created entirely from solid rock according to the ancient Sthaapatya Shastra style. Around 11,000 great artisans supposedly worked for 12,000 man-hours each to make this magnificent edifice a reality. The temple has more than 200 idols. It is an intensely spiritual abode that is based on the premise that every soul has the potential to achieve divinity and that this is possible through service to others.
Somnath, Saurashtra
This beautiful temple is located on the shores of the Arabian Sea. It is said to have been built using sandalwood in the Chalukya style of architecture by Gujarat’s skilled masons. It is 15 m in height and has an 8.2-metre tall flag pole on the top! . This temple is said to be the first of the 12 Jyothirlinga shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva. It was destroyed many times by the Muslims and the Portuguese. It was in May 1951 that the reconstruction of the temple was completed. The architecture is Chalukya style. Three rivers meet at this site – Hiran, Kapila, and Saraswati. Soma, or the Moon-god, who lost his luster because of a curse, supposedly regained it after bathing in the Sarasvati river here.
Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Thiruvananthapuram
This temple is the wealthiest Hindu temple in the entire world. It has high walls and a 16th-century tower. The temple is located in East Fort, Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of Kerala state in India. It is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. This temple is a synthesis of the Kerala and Dravidian architectural styles. The temple’s history goes back to the 8th century. It is one among the 108 Divya Desams or sacred Vishnu temples in India. King Marthanda Varma is responsible for the present-day structure of the temple.
Ramanathaswamy Temple, Rameshwar
This is a Dravidian-style temple that has spires that kiss the skyline. It has the largest hallway and a 4000-feet long pillared corridor with more than 4000 pillars.
Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai
This temple is, without doubt, the most beautiful example of Dravidian temple architecture. It has 12 tall towers or gopurams, and the tallest one is as high as 50 meters. Once you climb it, it offers an excellent view of entire Madurai.
Jagannath Temple, Puri
The temple is 214 feet and 8 inches high and has 5 segments with a curvilinear spire. Interestingly, the Jagannath idol here is made of wood, not metal. It is a Char Dham temple, along with Dwaraka, Badrinath, and Rameswaram. This temple was built by a king of the Ganga Dynasty named Ananta Varman Chodaganga Deva. It goes back to the 12th century. The main temple is a beautiful structure built in Kalinga architectural style.
Terracotta Temples of Bishnupur, Bankura (West Bengal)
These temples were constructed in the 17th century by the Mallya dynasty. The architecture calls to mind the thatched huts found in rural Bengal. The intricately carved terracotta panels make them look very beautiful.
The Virupaksha Temple, Hampi
This is a 15th-century temple, which is decorated with Vijayanagar-style bas-relief murals and sculptures. It also has a 9-tiered gateway, entrance gateways, a pillared walkway, shrines, courtyards, and many other marvelous structures as well in and around it.
The Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangam
Occupying 156 acres, this temple has 21 impressive prakaras of all kinds, and it is, without doubt, a most beautiful and remarkable monument that can be called an architectural marvel.
Brihadishwara Temple, Thanjavur
Located in Thanjavur, India, the temple was built in the 11th century by the Chola king Rajaraja I. It is the world’s first temple made entirely from granite. Brihadishwara temple is an outstanding example of the Dravidian style of temple architecture. The temple gopuram or tower is 66 mts (216 feet) high, and it is one of the tallest temples in the world.
